San Juan Islands from Anacortes
San Juan Islands & Anacortes
80 NM · Moderate · 7 days
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ModerateStrong tidal currents in the channels, ferry traffic and fog; legs are short and sheltered.
A seven-day loop out of Anacortes through the heart of the San Juans: Lopez and Friday Harbor, the old lime works at Roche Harbor, a walk to Turn Point lighthouse from Stuart Island, the sandstone coves of Sucia, and Orcas Island's Deer Harbor on the way home. Days are short, most nights are on State Park buoys or in town marinas, and the whales are the reason to go. Currents in the channels and busy ferry lanes keep it from being a pure beginner's cruise.
DAY 1 · Cap Sante Marina (Anacortes)
Photo: Joe Mabel (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Leave 11:00 am
The Port of Anacortes marina is the usual starting point for San Juan cruises, with a large guest section and downtown shops and groceries a short walk away. Provision here before you leave: the island stores are smaller and dearer. Reserve ahead in summer.
- 9:00 amProvision in townAnacortes has full grocery stores within walking distance of the marina.
11.5 NM · about 1 h 55 mto Spencer Spit State Park (Lopez Island)
Spencer Spit State Park (Lopez Island)
Photo: Josh Lackey (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0Arrive 2:30 pm
A long sand spit on the east side of Lopez with a salt lagoon behind it and State Park buoys on both sides. Pick the side away from the wind. Strong currents run between the spit and Frost Island, so allow for them when you pick up a buoy.
- 5:00 pmWalk the spitThe beach walks are flat and easy, and there is a campground ashore.
7.5 NM · about 1 h 15 mto Port of Friday Harbor Marina (San Juan Island)
DAY 2 · Port of Friday Harbor Marina (San Juan Island)
Photo: Chris Light (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Arrive 12:30 pm
The main town of the islands, with the ferry landing, shops and restaurants a short walk from the docks. The marina sits behind floating breakwaters and keeps a large share of its slips for visitors. Summer reservations are strongly advised. Do not anchor within 100 yards of the breakwater: its cables foul anchors.
- 2:00 pmVisit The Whale MuseumA small museum a block from the docks, focused on the orcas and whales of the Salish Sea. Read the orca rules here before you set out.
The Whale Museum (Friday Harbor)
A nonprofit museum open since 1979, a block from the docks. It runs the Soundwatch boater education programme and the Whale Hotline sightings network. Washington law now says to keep 1,000 yards from Southern Resident orcas, and the federal 200-yard rule still applies too.
8 NM · about 1 h 20 mto Roche Harbor Resort Marina (San Juan Island)
DAY 3 · Roche Harbor Resort Marina (San Juan Island)
Photo: photo by Joe Mabel (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Arrive 1:00 pm
A historic resort on the old lime works at the north end of San Juan Island, with a large marina, restaurants and a well-stocked store. Call the harbourmaster on VHF 78A only once you are in the harbour. Reserve ahead: it is very popular in July and August.
- 7:30 pmColors ceremonyThe nightly flag-lowering with a cannon is held about 20 minutes before sunset, from early May to late September.
4.5 NM · about 45 mto Reid Harbor (Stuart Island)
DAY 4 · Reid Harbor (Stuart Island)
Arrive 12:00 pm
A long, narrow, landlocked harbour and one of the most sheltered anchorages in the islands, with State Park buoys and a dock at the head. Enter mid-channel because foul ground runs about halfway across from the east entrance point. Note that the dock is being rebuilt from October 13, 2026, so this stop is for the summer season.
2.5 NM · about 25 mto Turn Point Lighthouse Hike (Stuart Island)
Turn Point Lighthouse Hike (Stuart Island)
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington from Portland, America (Wikimedia Commons) · Public domainArrive 2:00 pm
An easy walk of about two miles each way from the Reid Harbor dock to the 1893 light station at the western tip of Stuart Island, looking down Haro Strait toward Canada. Orcas and eagles are often seen from the point. The light station buildings are open July to September when volunteer docents are there. Bring water.
16 NM · about 2 h 40 mto Fossil Bay (Sucia Island)
DAY 5 · Fossil Bay (Sucia Island)
Photo: Washington DNR (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0Arrive 12:30 pm
Sucia's best-known bay, with State Park docks at its head, sandstone shores carved into odd shapes and trails across the island. It faces south and is the busiest of Sucia's coves in summer. The bays here are eelgrass areas, so take a buoy or anchor in deeper water as the Coast Pilot asks.
- 3:00 pmWalk the island trailsPaths cross Sucia and reach the other bays and the carved sandstone shore.
10 NM · about 1 h 40 mto Deer Harbor Marina (Orcas Island)
DAY 6 · Deer Harbor Marina (Orcas Island)
Photo: brewbooks (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 2.0Arrive 1:30 pm
A friendly marina in an inlet on the south-west corner of Orcas, with a fuel dock, a store and a pool. It is a good base for the western islands. Book ahead in summer. Arrive via North Pass from San Juan Channel.
- 5:00 pmDinner ashoreWalk the harbour or take an island taxi; check the marina for current restaurant hours.
19.5 NM · about 3 h 15 mto Cap Sante Marina (Anacortes)
DAY 7 · Cap Sante Marina (Anacortes)
Photo: Joe Mabel (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA 4.0Arrive 1:00 pm
Back to Anacortes to close the loop. Time the Rosario Strait crossing for the current and keep clear of the ferry lanes near Anacortes. Allow time to fuel, pump out and clean the boat before check-in.
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