San Juan Island Voyage Tips and guide

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San Juan Island is the second-largest and most populous of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Once a hotly-contested territory, this rural island is now claimed for those seeking calm, peaceful harbors and whale sightings.

• 48.53427-123.017121 Friday Harbor — county seat for San Juan County and the largest town in the San Juan Islands.
• 48.6097-123.1492 Roche Harbor — a bustling harbor resort.

As early as 1845 the Hudson's Bay Company, based at British Fort Victoria, had posted a notice of possession on San Juan Island. In 1851 it established a salmon-curing station there and, two years later, a sheep ranch called Belle Vue Farm. About the same time, the Territorial Legislature of Oregon (which then included the present State of Washington) declared San Juan Island to be within its territorial limits, and in January 1853 incorporated it into Island County. By 1859 there were about 18 Americans on San Juan Island, settled on redemption claims which they expected the U.S. Government to recognize as valid. The British considered these claims illegal.

On June 15, 1859, a pig belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company was caught rooting in the garden of an American settler named Lyman Cutlar. Cutlar shot the pig, which sparked an international crisis. When British authorities threatened to arrest Cutlar, American citizens drew up a petition requesting U.S. military protection. Each side built up their military presence the island. When word of the crisis reached Washington, officials there were shocked that the simple action of an irate farmer had grown into an explosive international incident. President James Buchanan sent the commanding general of the U.S. Army to investigate and contain the affair. He was able to get both sides to agree to joint military occupation until the issue could be settled.

San Juan Island remained under joint military occupation for the next 12 years. In 1871, the San Juan question was referred to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany for settlement. On October 21, 1872, his commission ruled in favor of the United States, establishing the boundary line through Haro Strait. The San Juan Islands became American possessions and the boundary between Canada and the United States was fully set.

Many of San Juan Island's roads trace to sheep runs cut by Hudson's Bay Company workers. They were led, in part, by Fort Victoria Chief Factor and colonial Gov. James Douglas, from 1853 to 1859. Many of the workers were Cowichan Indians from Vancouver Island.

Washington State Ferries operates the Anacortes / San Juan Islands route:

• 48.53512-123.01451 Friday Harbor Terminal, 91 Front St, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1 888 808-7977. The sole ferry terminal for San Juan Island (updated Jun 2025)

The ferry also makes stops at:

• Anacortes Terminal on the mainland, about 1½ hours north of Seattle. This is the only easy way to take a car to the islands. Anacortes Terminal is connected by public bus to Mount Vernon and the rest of mainland, and by private shuttle directly to Seattle and SeaTac Airport.
• Lopez Island, at its northern tip, about 4 mi (6.4 km) from Lopez Village
• Shaw Island, near its northeast corner
• Orcas Island, at Orcas Village

The ferry schedule is complicated. There's a sailing about once an hour in the summer, a little less often in the winter. One vessel makes several interisland loops, while the other vessels run from Anacortes to one or more islands and back.

Reservations are recommended for the San Juan Islands ferry, especially for summer weekends, when the wait for loading cars can be notoriously long. It is not unusual to wait in line for many hours, and missing the last ferry can mean a desperate search for accommodations to spend an unplanned night on the islands.

Walk-on passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing. Vehicle traffic should arrive at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, or 90 minutes during peak afternoon and weekend sailing.

• Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, [email protected]. Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands including San Juan Island. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI ^IATA) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD  ^IATA). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139. (updated Mar 2015)
• NW Seaplanes, toll-free: +1-800-690-0086. NW Seaplanes make flights from Renton (near Seattle) to the San Juan Islands with flexible schedules. 

• San Juan Transit, (office) 10 Front St (Canary Landing), ☏ +1 360 378-8887, [email protected]. A private bus service that covers almost all points of interest on San Juan Island, and drivers can stop almost anywhere along the route. From Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, there is a departure about every hour between 9AM-6PM in summer, less frequently during the off-season. Some buses meet the ferries and will wait if a ferry is coming in; however check the schedules ahead of time. They also offer chartered services for group travel and guided bus tours for up to 29 people. $8 each boarding, $15 RT, $20 day pass. (updated Jun 2025)

• Friday Harbor Taxi, ☏ +1 360-298-4434. 8AM-6PM. Friday Harbor Taxi operates taxi services almost anywhere on the island with at least 4 hours notice 8AM-6PM. Outside these hours service may be spotty. (updated Mar 2015)

• Susie's Mopeds, 125 Nichols St, ☏ +1 360-378-5244, toll-free: +1-800-532-0087. Friendly island moped rental at Friday Harbor and at the foot of the runway in Roche Harbor. Rent mopeds, electric bikes, and compact SUV's for your island exploring. All reservations must be made by phone. (updated Mar 2015)

• Friday Harbor features the Whale Museum, Friday Harbor Laboratories, and the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.
• Roche Harbor features the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, which displays more than 150 creative outdoor sculpture works.
• San Juan Island National Historical Park preserves the history of the 1859 'Pig War'. The British Camp is near Roche Harbor, and the American Camp is south of Friday Harbor.

Wildlife watching is a major attraction. The area is a prime location for viewing orcas, seals, and other marine wildlife. Lime Kiln Point State Park, on the west side of the island, is a whale watching hot spot, and whale watching tours operate out of Friday Harbor.

Kayaking outfitters operate out of Friday Harbor.

Most dining options are in Friday Harbor. Roche Harbor has three restaurants, and there are a few other restaurants scattered across the rest of the island.