7 Things To Do In San Juan Islands For A Relaxing Vacation

Things to do in San Juan Islands

If you’re looking for a quiet getaway or an active vacation, take a trip to the San Juan Islands. This archipelago is located right off Washington in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are known for their natural beauty and outdoor activities, making them the perfect place to unwind.

Whether you want to get up close to the Orca whales that call the area home or you prefer checking out some of the world’s best wines, these are the top things to do in the San Juan Islands.

1) Take A Cruise

Taking a cruise is a great way to see San Juan Island and the surrounding islands. While you have lots of choices, Emerald Isle Sailing Charters is a favorite among both locals and tourists. The luxury tours let you relax in the lap of luxury and see the native wildlife.

The San Juan Islands tour is perfect for those who enjoy marine wildlife and whale watching.  Visit Emerald Isle Sailing Charters to see which tours are available and to book one for your trip to tour the island group and the Salish Sea.

2) Head To Friday Harbor

You can’t plan a trip to San Juan Island without spending a day in Friday Harbor. It’s just a short walk from the ferry, which lets you bring your personal or rental car. There are plenty of parking areas around Friday Harbor, but you can also rent a moped, bike, or scooter.

Island Stage Left puts on several productions every year that feature local actors. You can also head to the Spring Street Landing Aquarium. It’s the perfect place to see marine life once you finish a whale-watching trip. Friday Harbor is also home to a few spas and art galleries.

3) Take A Museum Tour

You don’t need to book a museum tour in advance because many of the top museums are in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Start at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art to see the modern art on display in the main gallery. The smaller gallery hosts up to 10 special shows every year.

Visit the Whale Museum to see a real whale skeleton and learn about conservation efforts in the San Juan Islands. Other museums worth a visit include the San Juan Aviation Museum and San Juan Islands Sculpture Park.

4) Visit Roche Harbor

Also on San Juan Island, Roche Harbor is a great place to get away from it all. More than 80% of the rooms in the Roche Harbor Resort have ocean views. You can take a whale-watching tour while staying here that takes you around Orcas Island or spend the day kayaking.

Both the local sculpture park and several hiking trails are close by. The resort will even give you a map of popular hiking trails. Many tourists love the views on the Young Hill Trail.

5) Try Camping

While some travelers love staying in fancy resorts, others prefer the comfort of the great outdoors. San Juan County Park on Vancouver Island offers 12 acres of land for campers. While it doesn’t have many amenities, it lets you commune with nature on the island’s west side.

You’ll find yourself close to the water and some of the wild animals that often play there. If you’re lucky, you may even see some of the Southern Resident Orcas. Make sure that you bring supplies as it’s often hard to hike back out for them. The South Beach of San Juan Island is also popular with those who love the outdoors.

6) Grab A Drink

This island group is a fun place to grab a drink and sample some you won’t find at home. Start at the San Juan Island Distillery. This distillery is home to Westcott Bay Cider, which is one of the oldest cider producers in the region.

Between the local climate and the grapes used, the distillery produces ciders and wines similar to those you might find in France. The San Juan Vineyards let you sample some of the local wines that won state and national awards. The craft cocktails at Downriggers are not to be missed, and your visit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the San Juan Brewery and pub. 

7) Tour The Pelindaba Lavender Farm

When it comes to relaxing, few things help you get in the mood as quickly as lavender does. At the Pelindaba Lavender Farm, you’ll find a gorgeous farm with acres of lavender growing wild.

The owners of the farm have a small store where you can pick up souvenirs to take home and products you may want to use during your stay. Shop for essential oils, pillows, and other fun items that use local lavender. While it’s free to visit, plan on spending at least an hour exploring the farm.

San Juan Islands Is A Spectacular Place To Spend Your Vacation

These seven San Juan Islands things to do represent just some of the top attractions and activities. You may want to explore the historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse to see one of the region’s oldest lighthouses, too. Start or end your trip with a luxury charter sailing tour.

Contact Emerald Isle Sailing Charters today to book the best tour around San Juan Island!

Duration
3 days
Group Size
2 to 6

3-Day All Inclusive Sailing Tour of the San Juan Islands

Join us for an all-inclusive multi day sailing tour of the most beautiful marine environment in the world!

Prices start at $1999 USD per person. Early and late season discounts available. Gratuities are welcome, but not included in cost of trip.

2024 Dates for 3-Day Tour:

Please note: THE DATES BELOW DO NOT REFLECT CURRENT RESERVATIONS. Please use the "Check Availability" button on this page to see a real-time calendar.

May: 5/10-5/12
June: 6/7-6/9
September: 9/7-9/9, 9/13-9/15, 9/18-9/20

If the dates you want are not listed above, please contact us. We are very flexible, and can often adjust the sailing schedule, and can create tours of any duration.

Our multi-day, all-inclusive sailing tours are the best way to unwind, relax and immerse yourself in the Salish Sea's natural beauty. With each day aboard, you'll feel a deeper connection to the natural world as you let the stresses of everyday land-based life melt away. We follow the rhythms of the wind and tides to show you the true beauty of this magical archipelago.

Sailing from our home port of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, we are quickly in one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the world. Our naturalist captain will hoist the sails and guide your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and nature by eco-friendly sail power.

Sailing aboard the S/V Nawalak is about escaping the crowds, relaxing, and connecting with nature and the sea while exploring the quiet beaches and pristine islands of the northwest. During our tours we share with you the gems and secrets we’ve discovered in our 30+ years of sailing these amazing waterways.

23 Reviews verify
from
$1,999
Duration
3 to 6 days
Group Size
2 to 6

Sail & Paddle Tour

New this year!

Hey there, avid kayaker or paddle boarder! Think you've seen and conquered it all? We invite you to paddle the mystical waters of the San Juan Islands, while you return each evening to the safe, warm and cozy confines of our luxury 55' sailboat.

Aboard Sailing vessel Nawalak, you'll be treated to 3 luxury meals per day by our on-board chef to fuel your kayaking journeys, as well as a warm, dry berth aboard. No need to pitch a tent, or haul heavy gear - keep it all on the boat!

This tour blends the elegant simplicity of sailing with the intimacy of near shore kayaking, utilizing our vessel as a mother ship for your San Juan Islands kayaking adventures. This is a bring-your-own-kayak adventure where we board, our luxury 55' sail boat and sail deep into the majestic waters of the San Juan Islands. By sailing to these highly sought after kayaking destinations, we eliminate the hassle, and danger of paddling across large bodies of open sea to get to our coveted kayaking destinations. Tour durations are from 3-6 days, and are fully customizable for duration, skill levels and dates. Give us a call to learn more.

Our multi-day, all-inclusive sailing tours are the best way to unwind, relax and immerse yourself in the Salish Sea's natural beauty. With each day aboard, you'll feel a deeper connection to the natural world as you let the stresses of everyday land-based life melt away. We follow the rhythms of the wind and tides to show you the true beauty of this magical archipelago.

Sailing from our home port of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, we are quickly in one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the world. Our naturalist captain will hoist the sails and guide your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and nature by eco-friendly sail power.

Sailing aboard the S/V Nawalak is about escaping the crowds, relaxing, and connecting with nature and the sea while exploring the quiet beaches and pristine islands of the northwest. During our tours we share with you the gems and secrets we’ve discovered in our 30+ years of sailing these amazing waterways.

88 Reviews verify
from
$1,999
Duration
5 days
Group Size
2 to 6

5-Day All Inclusive Sailing Tour of the San Juan Islands

Join us for an all-inclusive 5-Day sailing tour of the most beautiful marine environment in the world!

All inclusive prices start at $2499 USD per person. Early and late season discounts available. Gratuities are welcome, but not included in cost of trip.

2024 Dates for 5-Day Tour:

Please note: THE DATES BELOW DO NOT REFLECT CURRENT RESERVATIONS. Please use the "Check Availability" button on this page to see a real-time calendar.
If the dates you want are not listed, please contact us. We are very flexible, and can often adjust the sailing schedule, and can create tours of any duration.

May: 5/3-5/7, 5/17-5/21, 5/31-6/4,
June: 6/18-6/22,
July: 7/2-7/6, 7/16-7/20,
August: 8/1-8/5, 8/16-8/20, 8/31-9/4,

Our multi-day, all-inclusive sailing tours are the best way to unwind, relax and immerse yourself in the Salish Sea's natural beauty. With each day aboard, you'll feel a deeper connection to the natural world as you let the stresses of everyday land-based life melt away. We follow the rhythms of the wind and tides to show you the true beauty of this magical archipelago.

Sailing from our home port of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, we are quickly in one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the world. Our naturalist captain will hoist the sails and guide your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and nature by eco-friendly sail power.

Sailing aboard the S/V Nawalak is about escaping the crowds, relaxing, and connecting with nature and the sea while exploring the quiet beaches and pristine islands of the northwest. During our tours we share with you the gems and secrets we’ve discovered in our 30+ years of sailing these amazing waterways.

25 Reviews verify
from
$2,499
Duration
6 days
Group Size
2 to 6

6-Day All Inclusive Sailing Tour of the San Juan Islands

Join us for an all-inclusive 6-Day sailing tour of the most beautiful marine environment in the world!

All inclusive prices start at $2699 USD per person. Early and late season discounts available. Gratuities are welcome, but not included in cost of trip.

2024 Dates for 6-Day Tour:

Please note: THE DATES BELOW DO NOT REFLECT CURRENT RESERVATIONS. Please use the "Check Availability" button on this page to see a real-time calendar.
If the dates you want are not listed, please contact us. We are very flexible, and can often adjust the sailing schedule, and can create tours of any duration.

May: 5/24-5/29
June: 6/11-6/16, 6/25-6/30
July: 7/9-7/14, 7/24-7/29
August: 8/8-8/13, 8/23-8/28

Our multi-day, all inclusive sailing tours are the best way to unwind, relax and immerse yourself in the Salish Sea's natural beauty. With each day aboard, you'll feel a deeper connection to the natural world as you let the stresses of everyday land based life melt away. We follow the rhythms of the wind and tides to show you the true beauty of this magical archipelago.

Sailing from our home port of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, we are quickly in one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the world. Our naturalist captain will hoist the sails and guide your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and nature by eco-friendly sail power.

Sailing aboard the S/V Nawalak is about escaping the crowds, relaxing, and connecting with nature and the sea while exploring the quiet beaches and pristine islands of the northwest. During our tours we share with you the gems and secrets we’ve discovered in our 30+ years of sailing these amazing waterways.

84 Reviews verify
from
$2,699
Duration
6 hours
Group Size
2 to 6

San Juan Islands 6-hour Day Sail

Climb aboard and immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty of the San Juan Islands.

All inclusive prices start at $229 USD per person, check dates on the right. Please note: If the dates you want are not listed, or another tour is designated, please contact us. We can often adjust the sailing schedule.

Sailing from our home port of Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, we are quickly in one of the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the world. Our naturalist captain will hoist the sails and guide your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and nature by eco-friendly sail power.

Sailing aboard the S/V Nawalak is about escaping the crowds, relaxing, and connecting with nature and the sea while exploring the quiet beaches and pristine islands of the northwest. During our tours we share with you the gems and secrets we’ve discovered in our 30+ years of sailing these amazing waterways.

3 Reviews verify
from
$229