I have wanted to visit the San Juan Islands for years, and after finally making it happen, I can say it was worth every bit of the hype.
This string of islands off the coast of Washington is home to farm stands, alpaca farms, tide pools, whale watching, and some of the most laid-back small towns in the Pacific Northwest.
In this post, I’m sharing our exact 6-day itinerary, island by island, plus everything you need to know to plan your own trip: ferry booking tips, camping and hotel recommendations, where to eat, and the best time to go.
Bookmark this one, you’ll want to reference it while you plan!
My Personal Experience in the San Juan Islands
I’d wanted to visit the San Juan Islands for years, and honestly, I was a little worried the hype wouldn’t live up to reality. It absolutely did.
We tried our best to plan a trip here in years past, but since it is a 7-hour drive + an hour ferry from our home in Bend, OR, the logistics got a little complicated with two little girls. We aimed to go early to mid-August to escape the typical wildfire smoke in Central Oregon. So we finally made it happen this year (2026)!
We fell in love with these islands and even caught ourselves browsing Zillow for houses while we were there (I dare you not to!). We will 100% be back.
Trip Overview: 6 Days, 2 Islands
Short on time? If you only have time for one island, Orcas would be my personal pick, but I’m so glad we got to experience both since they each have a different feel.
Have more questions? Jump down to our San Juan Islands Travel Guide for info on ferries and tips before you go!
And while you’re reading, you might as well download our free San Juan Islands Map. We’ve pinned all the places in this itinerary on this interactive map so you can follow along easily. Enter you info and we’ll send it straight to your email.
Part 1: San Juan Island Itinerary
Here’s what we did leading up to our first San Juan ferry and all the things we did on San Juan Island (the biggest of the San Juan Islands).
The Night Before: Camping on Whidbey Island
The night before our ferry, we camped at Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor. Watching a movie from the back of our van and falling asleep right there was such a fun way to kick off the trip.
The next morning we explored Coupeville and had lunch at Front Street Grill. This was our second time eating here, and I can say with confidence: best mussels I’ve ever had.
Getting to San Juan Island: The Ferry from Anacortes
From Coupeville, we took the afternoon ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor is such a cute little town, especially in the evening when everyone’s out and about. We headed straight to our campsite so we could get set up before dark.
We booked this trip pretty last minute, and by the time we started looking, a lot of accommodations and campsites on the island were already full. Book as far ahead as you can. Full ferry booking details are in the info section below.
Where We Camped on San Juan Island
We got lucky and found availability at Free Horse Farm. It ended up being a great home base, and we got to park our van with views of the horses on the property. That first night we cooked dinner, then did a little stargazing after the girls fell asleep.
Day 1 on San Juan Island
Morning: Roche Harbor
We started the morning going to Roche Harbor, a super cute little harbor town. I’d heard the donuts at Lime Kiln Cafe were amazing, but by the time we got there they were already sold out. Get there early if you want them.
Instead, we grabbed an iced latte at Beachtree Espresso Stand and let the girls run off some energy on the grass.
Late Morning: Sculpture Park and a Hidden Mausoleum
Next we headed to the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve, which was such a fun surprise. There was not much shade and we visited in the middle of the day which was very hot, so we didn’t last long.
From there, we followed a trail into the woods and found a mausoleum we’d spotted while poking around Google Maps. It was built by a local man in the 1930s as a memorial and crypt for his family. Kind of creepy, kind of cool, and really fun to photograph. Worth seeking out if you’re in the area.
It would have been better, in my opinion, if it was a foggy and misty kind of day, to add to the spooky vibes. But instread we have a clear and sunny day, which I could not complain.
Where to Eat Lunch: Westcott Bay Shellfish Co.
We had lunch at Westcott Bay Shellfish Co., an oyster farm with a beautiful outdoor restaurant and ocean views from every seat. We didn’t realize we’d need reservations at 2:30 pm on a Tuesday, and the restaurant was completely booked, with an hour-and-a-half wait.
Luckily, they have a casual cafe called the Net Shed, and a market right next door with no reservations needed. You can sit at a picnic table with fresh oysters and wine, or grab local bread, cheese, and smoked fish. If you like oysters, this place is an absolute must.
Make a reservation for the sit-down restaurant in advance if you want a full meal, especially in summer.
Afternoon: Alpacas and Friday Harbor Shopping
We headed to The Farm at Krystal Acres, the alpaca farm. You can buy food to feed the alpacas for $6, and they’ll come right up to you. Such a fun, quick stop, especially with kids.
Then we wandered into Friday Harbor and stopped at a few shops:
- Serendipity Used Books: a cute secondhand bookshop and our girls each picked out a book
- San Juan Island Sea Salt: I’m a sucker for buying salt and seasonings when I travel, but the real surprise here was the salted chocolate chip cookie. Don’t skip it.
Where to Eat Dinner: San Juan Island Brewing Co.
We ended the night at San Juan Island Brewing Co. The beer was really good and we loved the lively atmosphere.
Day 2 on San Juan Island
Morning: Whale Watching from Shore at Lime Kiln Point
We spent the morning at Lime Kiln Point State Park, one of the best places to spot orcas from shore. We didn’t see any, unfortunately, but still loved visiting the lighthouse.
Bring your Discover Pass, it’s required for this park. Or you can pay $10 per vehicle for the day.
Coffee and Bakery Stop
We grabbed coffee and a matcha at Medio Cafe, then stopped at Bakery San Juan to pick up a loaf of sourdough and a treat for later. I’d gone down a rabbit hole reading reviews about their key lime pie tarts, and spoiler alert: one of the best things we ate on our entire trip.
Last Stop: Lunch to Go from The Market Chef
We grabbed sandwiches from The Market Chef, a local deli, and brought them down to the water to eat while we waited for our ferry to Orcas Island.
Part 2: Orcas Island Itinerary
We stayed on Orcas Island for three nights, and out of the two islands, this is the one that lives rent-free in my head. It’s genuinely one of the most magical places we’ve visited in the Pacific Northwest.
Where We Stayed on Orcas Island: Doe Bay Resort
We arrived on a late afternoon ferry and went straight to Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, where we camped. Only resort guests can access this bay, and it was magical. They offer multiple styles of accommodation (campsites, cabins, yurts), and I highly recommend staying here no matter which option you pick.
We hung out on the little beach at sunset, had a picnic dinner, then turned in for the night.
Day 1 on Orcas Island
Morning: Whale Watching Tour
We went straight to our whale watching excursion the next morning, then grabbed breakfast at Blackfish Cafe next door to the tour office.
The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to see orcas in the wild, and we got so lucky. We saw a ton of them, including a mother teaching a baby orca how to breach. Our four-year-old was over the moon. Our toddler got a little seasick, which was a bummer, but it was still incredible.
👉🏼 This is the exact tour we booked: Orcas Island Whale & Orca Guided Speedboat Tour
Lunch: Lone Pine Larder
We went to Lone Pine Larder for lunch. Holy moly, you need to go here. Everything about it was great.
Afternoon: Exploring Eastsound
After lunch, we wandered around Eastsound, the cutest little town. We stopped for ice cream at Clever Cow Creamery, where our daughter declared it “the best day of my life.” Orcas and ice cream really is an elite combination.
Then I popped into Printshop Northwest next door. You pick a shirt, a graphic, and an ink color, and they print it while you wait. I walked out with a fun new whale t-shirt.
On the Way Back: U-Pick Produce
On our way back to camp, we stopped at The Little Farm for u-pick produce, which became round two of our picnic dinner that night.
Day 2 on Orcas Island
Breakfast: Olga Rising
We went to Olga Rising, the cutest cafe, and had one of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve had in my life. Get the one with mama’s little peppers, just trust me.
Get there early. This is a popular spot, we waited in line for a while, but it was still absolutely worth it.
Coffee: Dragonfly Coffeehouse
We got coffee down the street at Dragonfly Coffeehouse. I highly recommend the Dreaming Dragonfly latte, pistachio, cardamom, and rose water. Yes, please.
We walked across the street to a cute little playground so the girls could play, and yes, we spent that time browsing Zillow for houses in the area. If you visit, I guarantee you’ll be doing the same thing.
Afternoon: Private Spa Session at Doe Bay Resort
We headed back to Doe Bay Resort for a private spa session, soaking tubs, sauna, and different temperature pools, all to ourselves, with a view of the bay. I genuinely can’t describe how perfect this was.
You can book this spa session as a private or a communal session. We figured since we had kids, it would be better for us to book a private session so we wouldn’t bother anybody else. The cost for a private session is $150, and they are often booked up.
There are 2 communal sessions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each for 3 hours and 15 minutes. For adults, it costs $30 per person, and for children under 12 years old, it is $15.
We spent the rest of the afternoon paddleboarding and hanging out on the private beach. We each took turns paddling out into the bay with Juniper on the board while the other stayed on the beach with Senya.
Evening: Dinner and Open Mic Night
We had dinner at the on-site cafe, where they were hosting an open mic night. They do these every Thursday, and it was so much fun. Local musicians and even kids got up in front of the mic to sing and play.
Day 3 on Orcas Island
We had a few last stops before we took our final ferry off the islands.
Morning: Mount Constitution and Moran State Park
We drove up to Mount Constitution for incredible views of the islands, then spent time hiking around Moran State Park, including the Cascade Falls trail. There were hardly any people on the trails and the waterfalls are beautiful.
Tip: we’d recommend going down to the base of Cascade Falls to get the best angle. There are steps leading down into the little valley, but you may have to cross over some fallen trees to make it to the base of the falls, which let’s be honest, is my favorite part.
Last Stops: Bakery and Pottery
We grabbed a sweet treat at Brown Bear Baking, then headed to Orcas Island Pottery for our last stop of the trip. The shop opened in 1945 and is still a staple of the island. The pieces are stunning, and the whole property is beautiful to explore.
Then it was time to head to the ferry and say goodbye to Orcas Island, or really, “see you later,” because I know we’ll be back.
Useful Info for Planning Your San Juan Islands Trip
Planning a trip to the San Juans is a little tricky because of the restrictions on the islands and the ferry rules. Read below for more information.
Booking the Ferries
Ferries to the San Juan Islands leave from Anacortes, and the ride runs about 1 to 2 hours depending on which island you’re headed to.
IMPORTANT: You have to book your ferry ticket and your ferry reservation separately.
Booking your ticket is easy, just go to the Wave2Go website of the Washington DOT. Then select your route, your vehicle size, and the number of additional people. Then check out with your ticket.
For our trip in August 2026, we paid a total of $104.25 for our ferry. Broken down, this is $86.25 for the vehicle (including a driver) and $18 for an additional adult. Children 18 years old and younger travel on Washington State Ferries for free.
Note: there is a 3% fee for using credit cards, but I didn’t see any other way to pay so you just have to pay the fee.
You only pay for westbound ferries. Going eastbound between islands (example: San Juan Island to Orcas Island) is free. Going from the islands to Anacortes is also free, but you need a reservation.
Reservations for the Ferries
If you are traveling with your vehicle, in addition to your ticket, you need to reserve your ferry going to or from Anacortes. If you are just walking on, you do not need a reservation, just a passenger ticket.
If you do not have a reservation, you will be put in the standby lane, and many miss your desired ferry and have to wait for the next one (typically 2-3 hours later).
Head to the Washington State Ferries Vehicle Reservations website, select your route, date, and vehicle type.
Next, you’ll select your time if it says “Space Available”, add to cart and then check out. The reservation is free, but you need to enter payment information in case you are a no-show. If you don’t show up for your reservation, you will be charged a $19 no-show fee.
If your desired time slot says “Full – Standby Only”, you will have to choose another time or wait for another release date. See below for the release stages:
- Reservations release in stages:
- 2 months before each season: 30% of spots release at 10 a.m.
- 2 weeks out: another 30% released at 7 a.m.
- 2 days out: another 30% released at 7 a.m.
- The last 10% is held for standby and emergency vehicles
WA Ferry Tips
- Set an alarm. These book up fast, especially in summer.
- If all the time slots are booked for your day of travel, look into using WAFerryBuddy.com to send you emails when there is an opening that you want.
- Be on time. They will leave without you.
- Bring snacks for the ride, and don’t be surprised if you see people doing puzzles, there are usually some out on the tables.
Camping on the San Juan Islands
Heads up: there’s no legal dispersed camping on the islands, and campgrounds book up months in advance. If you’re planning last minute like we were, look into farms and private properties that allow camping (we had to call around).
Download the Camp Flare app. It alerts you when spots open up from cancellations. I got several notifications for a campground we really wanted, but by then we’d already made other plans.
San Juan Island:
- Free Horse Farm: where we stayed, a peaceful working horse farm with campsites
- Lakedale Resort: glamping-style canvas cabins and lakeside campsites, more amenities if you want them
- San Juan County Park: waterfront campground on the quiet side of the island, great sunset views
Orcas Island:
Where to Stay: Hotel Recommendations
San Juan Island:
Orcas Island:
- Forest House: this whimsical treehouse that has been on my bucket list
More things to do on our list for next time:
San Juan Island:
Orcas Island:
Where to Eat
In addition to all the wonderful farm stands where you can pick up local produce, there are so many dining options on all the San Juan Islands. Here’s a list of places we went and where we would go next time.
San Juan Island Restaurants and Cafes
Places we ate and loved:
On our list for next time:
Orcas Island Restaurants and Cafes
Places we ate and loved:
On our list for next time:
Tips for Visiting the San Juan Islands
Here are a few tips we would recommend after visiting the San Juan Islands:
- Bring cash. There are ATMs, but you’ll want cash for farm stands, some camping fees, and small purchases.
- Shop the farmers markets. Each main island has one on Saturdays, plus tons of farm stands, art galleries, and roadside stalls throughout the week.
- Blackberry bushes and fruit trees are everywhere. Don’t be shy about snacking as you explore.
- Book restaurant reservations in advance, even on weekdays. We didn’t have any and it worked out, but there were a couple of places we had to skip because they were fully booked.
- Grab a Washington Discover Pass before you go; you’ll want it for the state parks. You can purchase one ahead of your trip and have it shipped to you, or you can get one in person anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. We got ours at a state park store.
- Plan around business hours. Many shops and restaurants are only open seasonally.
- Book a whale watching tour if you’re able to. This is one of the best places in the world to see orcas in the wild. 👉🏼 Here’s the tour we did
- Give yourself at least 2 nights per island. You can technically day trip to one island, but you’ll want more time. We did 2 nights on San Juan Island and 3 on Orcas, and honestly could’ve used one more night on Orcas.
Quick Facts About the 4 Main San Juan Islands
Washington’s San Juan Islands are actually made up of over 170 named islands and reefs, but only 4 are accessible by ferry: Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan Island.
Here’s a quick rundown of each, so you can decide where to focus your trip:
San Juan Island
- Most-visited
- Largest town (Friday Harbor)
- Most shops & restaurants
The most visited of the four, and home to Friday Harbor, the main ferry hub and the closest thing the islands have to a “downtown.” San Juan Island is where you’ll find the most restaurants and shops.
There’s also a trolley that can take you around the island if you are there for a day trip or don’t have your own vehicle. It’s a great home base if you want a mix of walkability and easy day trips around the island.
Orcas Island
- Largest and hilliest island
- Best for hiking & nature
- Our personal favorite
Orcas has a hillier and more spread-out feel than San Juan Island, with Eastsound as its main (super cute!) village. This is where you’ll find Moran State Park, Mount Constitution, and some of the best hiking, kayaking, and whale watching in the islands.
Tip: If you only have time for one island, this is the one I’d pick.
Lopez Island
- Flattest island
- Popular for biking
- Laid-back, rural feel
Known locally as “Slowpez” for its relaxed pace and friendly, wave-to-every-car culture. Lopez is the flattest of the islands, which makes it a favorite for cyclists, along with farm stands, a winery, and quiet beaches. It has a noticeably more rural, small-town feel than San Juan or Orcas.
Shaw Island
- Smallest and most remote
- Very few services
- Best as a quick stop, not a stay
Shaw has very little in the way of services, just a small general store at the ferry landing, so it’s less of a destination and more of a peaceful stop if you’re island hopping by bike or boat. Most people visit Shaw as a quick day trip rather than staying overnight.
Best Time to Visit the San Juan Islands
Summer is the most popular season, and for good reason: ferries run more frequently, farm stands are in full swing, and businesses are open on their full schedules.
Fall looks incredible too, with fewer crowds, but just make sure you check business hours before you go since a lot of places are only open seasonally.
How Long Do You Need?
Overall, 6 days was a great amount of time for us. On San Juan Island, we did and saw just about everything we’d planned. On Orcas, though, we could’ve used one more day, by the end, we felt a little rushed.
- San Juan Island: 2 nights was enough to cover what we wanted
- Orcas Island: 3 nights worked, but 4 would’ve been ideal
- Both islands are the kind of place worth slowing down for. If you can, build in some unscheduled time to just relax rather than sightseeing every hour of every day.
Which Island Was My Favorite?
I loved being able to visit both islands and compare them, they’re actually quite different from each other. But if I had to pick just one, it’s Orcas Island.
It has the most nature to explore, lush, forested trails, and there’s still so much I’d love to go back and do. I could easily spend a few more days there.
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We want to hear from you!
What do you think about our itinerary to the San Juan Islands? Are you going there soon? What questions do you still have? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
Katie Diederichs is the lead writer and co-founder of Two Wandering Soles, where she creates in-depth travel guides, itineraries, and tips designed to help readers plan better trips with confidence. With a background in journalism, photography, and design, she combines thorough research with firsthand experience to deliver clear, practical, and visually driven travel content. As the primary trip planner, Katie turns complex logistics into easy-to-follow advice travelers can actually use.
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