Travel to San Juan Island – Kayak Tours near Seattle, Washington
Our San Juan Islands kayak tours begin from Friday Harbor, Washington. Seattle is the main gateway city for travel to San Juan Island. Seattle is close enough to Friday Harbor that many of our guests are able to participate on a one day whale watching kayak trip and travel back on the same day.
About Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are located in the northwest corner of Washington State, north of Puget Sound. This group of over 400 scenic islands and wave swept rocks is characterized by an extremely rich marine environment and a rural countryside. Friday Harbor, the largest town in the islands (pop. 2500), is located on San Juan Island, the namesake of the entire archipelago. The state ferry terminal, located in the center of Friday Harbor, is where we meet you for your sea kayak tour. Friday Harbor has many stores for purchasing groceries, deli meals, some camping supplies, and other items you may need to get before your kayak trip.
Travel Information: How to get to the San Juan Islands
You have many options for travel to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. All eventually require either the Washington State Ferry, an excursion boat, or small aircraft to make the final leg. Visitors can connect with these local travel services by several combinations of car, bus, train, and major airline. Your local connections for boat or air travel can be made from either Seattle, Anacortes, Bellingham, Everett, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Victoria or Vancouver B.C. Each of these cities is listed below with the various travel options to San Juan Island from that location.
We no longer recommend any travel agent because after 20+ years in the travel business we have yet to find an agent that gives consistently good service. If you have an agent you like, please use them.
Air Flights to Seattle and Vancouver: We use the following internet resources for all of our personal flights:
Booking Buddy - Compare multiple suppliers while only entering your dates and cities once.
Orbitz - Tip: we suggest using the "flexible dates" option at the bottom of the search box for the best airfares.
Yapta - Tracks flight prices before and after you buy to get the best fares or refunds from your airline!.
Air Flights to the San Juan Islands: Air travel into the San Juan Islands can be spectacular on a clear day! Flights may be expensive but they are quick, easy, and worth it just for the views of the surrounding mountain ranges and volcanoes. Flight reservations on the small island carriers should be made as far in advance as possible during the summer months. However, you can often find last-minute seats on many scheduled flights. Charters are always available to suit your personal needs and time requirements. Groups of three or more will find charters can be as economical as regularly scheduled flights or even cheaper!
Washington State Ferry: Most people reach San Juan Island via the wonderfully scenic ferry from Anacortes. This service has been rated the 4th best ferry ride in the world by the Society of American Travel Writers! Driving directions: From either Seattle, Vancouver, or points between, travel on Interstate 5 until you see signs for Exit 230 / WA-20 / To San Juan Island Ferry. Go west on WA-20 into Anacortes. WA-20 ends at Commercial St where you turn right (west). Continue to 12th St and turn left (at the stoplight in front of Safeway). The Anacortes Ferry Terminal to the San Juan Islands is four miles ahead and can't be missed.
There is no reservation system for the ferries. You can access up-to-date ferry schedules here or by calling 800-84-FERRY or 206-464-6400. If you are bringing a vehicle to the island you must have it in line at least one to three hours in advance of sailing. The longest wait times are for ferries sailing weekday afternoons / early evenings and any time Fridays and Saturdays. Peak vacation times like holidays and summer weekends (Friday and Saturday in particular) may require even more time. We recommend that you park your car on the mainland and travel as a foot passenger. You will save both time and money. Be sure to allow a minimum of one hour for ticketing, parking, and boarding. Ferry parking lot fees are: $10 up to 24 hours; $25 up to 3 days/72 hours; $40 one week; RVs $20 for 24 hours. Ask the attendants where to park when purchasing your tickets.
To avoid the parking fee and holiday congestion at the terminal, use the free Skagit Transit parking lot outside Anacortes at the intersection of WA-20 and March Pt Rd. Watch for signs and turn right at the Texaco refinery. Park, then catch their bus on Skagit Transit Route 410 (not available Saturday or Sunday), which brings you to the Ferry Terminal. Bring a $1 bill or four quarters for bus fare! More information at www.skat.org or 360-757-4433 or 877-584-7528.
If you've decided to brave the ferry lines and bring your car to San Juan Island, you will find that parking is free anywhere in Friday Harbor. Just drive several blocks from the ferry terminal to find an unrestricted parking spot.
Passenger-only Excursion Boats such as the "Victoria Clipper" are an alternative to the Washington State Ferry. Depending on the city you are traveling from, you may not need any land transportation and avoid all highways, instead enjoying the relaxation and scenery of water travel the entire way. However, passenger-only boats don't always work for all travel itineraries as extra nights in Friday Harbor may be required before and/or after your kayak trip.
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City Specific Travel Options to San Juan Island
From within the San Juan Islands:
For visitors who have already made it to one of the other San Juan Islands, such as Orcas or Lopez, travel to Friday Harbor can be done via the inter-island Washington State Ferries, flights with either Island Air, Kenmore Air Seaplanes or San Juan Airlines, or by one of several water taxi services. Use the links and phone numbers below for contact info.
From Seattle or SeaTac Airport:
Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides multiple daily departures from SeaTac and downtown Seattle to the Anacortes ferry terminal, www.airporter.com or 866-235-5247.
Island Airporter provides once daily, non-stop service from SeaTac and drives right onto the ferry to San Juan Island (Friday Harbor & Roche Harbor), www.islandairporter.com or 360-378-7438.
Greyhound Bus Lines provides service from Seattle to Mt. Vernon, www.greyhound.com, 800-231-2222 or 360-336-5111, then you must transfer to the Skagit Transit bus system, www.skat.org or 360-757-4433. From the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Mt. Vernon, catch the 208 bus to the Cascade Mall where you will transfer to the 410 route to the Anacortes ferry terminal (410 not available Saturday and Sunday).
Catch-A-Train/Amtrak provides daily service from King Street Train Station via Amtrak to Mt. Vernon, and they'll arrange for a shuttle to the Anacortes ferry terminal, www.catch-a-train.com/page2.html or 800-457-3549.
San Juan Airlines provides multiple daily, direct, scheduled flights from Boeing Field/King County Airport, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434. They provide free shuttle service between SeaTac and Boeing Field/King County Airport.
Kenmore Air uses both seaplanes and regular aircraft to provides multiple daily, direct, scheduled flights from Lake Union and Lake Washington, www.kenmoreair.com or 800-543-9595. They provide free shuttle service between SeaTac and their terminals.
Island Air provides charter service from SeaTac or Boeing Field/King County Airport, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
Victoria Clipper sails from downtown Seattle's Pier 69 seasonally to Friday Harbor. (This service won't be available in 2009.) www.clippervacations.com or 800-888-2535 or 206-448-5000.
From Anacortes:
Washington State Ferries provide over a dozen sailings each day, for walk-on and drive-on passengers, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or 206-464-6400 or 888-808-7977. Visit their website for schedules, fares and ferry terminal parking information.
San Juan Airlines provides daily scheduled flights, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
Island Express Charters provides passenger and freight service from Anacortes as well as inter-island travel, www.islandexpresscharters.com or 877-473-9777.
ABC Yacht Charters, www.abcyachtcharters.com or 800-426-2313.
Paraclete Charter Service provides passenger service from Skyline Marina, www.paracletecharters.com or 800-808-2999.
From Bellingham:
San Juan Airlines provides daily, scheduled flights, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Northwest "Sky Ferry" air charter service will fly you to San Juan Island, Seattle, or Canadian cities with scenic detours, www.northwestskyferry.com or 360-676-9999.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
San Juan Island Commuter provides seasonal, daily, passenger-ferry service to Friday Harbor (and Lopez's Odlin Park with reservations), www.islandcommuter.com or 888-734-8180.
Par Yacht Charters, www.paryachtcharters.com or 360-752-5754.
Amtrak provides service to Bellingham, then walk across the street and board the seasonal, passenger-ferry San Juan Island Commuter (see above), www.amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL.
From Everett:
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
From Port Angeles:
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Victoria Express provides seasonal, daily, passenger-ferry service to Friday Harbor and Victoria, B.C., www.victoriaexpress.com or 360-452-8088. They stop in Victoria on the way to Friday Harbor.
Blackball Ferry operates seasonally to Victoria, British Columbia whereupon you can board the Washington State Ferry to San Juan Island. The Blackball Ferry carries cars & passengers, www.ferrytovictoria.com or 360-457-4491.
From Port Townsend:
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
Puget Sound Express provides seasonal, daily, passenger-ferry service to Friday Harbor, www.pugetsoundexpress.com or 360-385-5288.
From Victoria, B.C.:
Washington State Ferries provide sailings from nearby Sidney, B.C., for walk-on and drive-on passengers, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or 206-464-6400 or 888-808-7977. Visit their website for schedules, fares and parking information. (If you would like to go to Victoria from the San Juan Islands, in most cases you will need to spend at least one night there due to the ferry schedule. However, with the Summer 2005 schedule you can take an early ferry from the San Juan Islands to Anacortes, catch the 8:15am ferry to Sidney, arrive there at 10:20am, spend the day in Victoria and/or Butchart Gardens, then catch the 6:00pm back to Friday Harbor, then a late ferry to either Orcas or Lopez.)
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
Northwest "Sky Ferry" air charter service will fly you to San Juan Island, Seattle, or other Canadian cities with scenic detours, www.northwestskyferry.com or 360-676-9999.
Victoria Express provides seasonal, daily, passenger-ferry service to Friday Harbor, www.victoriaexpress.com or 360-452-8088.
North Shore Charters can transport people on their boat between the San Juan Islands and Victoria, www.sanjuancruises.net or 360-376-4855.
From Vancouver, B.C.:
B.C. Ferries provide daily service from Tsawwassen, B.C. (near Vancouver) to Swartz Bay, B.C. (north of Victoria), www.bcferries.com 888-223-3779 or 250-386-3431. In nearby Sidney, board a Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor the day before you meet us.
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, www.sanjuanairlines.com or 800-874-4434.
Island Air provides charter service, www.sanjuan-islandair.com or 888-378-2376.
Northwest "Sky Ferry" air charter service will fly you to San Juan Island, Seattle, or Canadian cities with scenic detours, www.northwestskyferry.com or 360-676-9999.
Catch-A-Train/Amtrak provides daily service from Pacific Central Train Station via Amtrak and Washington State Ferries, www.catch-a-train.com/page2.html or 800-457-3549.
Accommodations in Friday Harbor and in the San Juan Islands
Your choices are incredibly varied, ranging from budget hostels such as the Wayfarer, to mid-level and luxury hotels. There are many excellent bed & breakfast establishments on San Juan Island and in Friday Harbor. You may find that the San Juan Island B&B Association (866-645-3030 or 360-378-3030) can be very helpful in narrowing your choices down. Tell them your needs, particularly if you will not have a car on the island. Or go to their availability calendar on the web to make your reservation. A few additional choices for San Juan Island, but with some overlap, can be found at this calendar of availability. The latter calendar also has availability for Orcas and Lopez Islands. To obtain the widest choice of options, reservations for all types of accommodations should be made as far in advance as possible!
Quiet, low-key resorts on San Juan Island with waterfront cabins and kitchens include Lonesome Cove Resort 360-378-4477 and Mar Vista Resort 360-378-4448.There are only two truly nice places to camp with vehicles on the island and reservations are strongly advised. Campgrounds served by bus/taxi from Friday Harbor include San Juan County Park 360-378-2992 (this is our favorite sea kayak launch site with ocean view campsites 12 miles from town) and Lakedale Campground 360-378-2350 (5 miles out of town with pretty lake shore sites).
If you need to get around on San Juan Island try Island Tours/ Taxi 360-378-4453. They have some vans that can accommodate groups up to 14 people.
Some Things to do on San Juan Island after your Sea Kayak Tour
We encourage you to spend some time on San Juan Island either before or after your sea kayaking vacations. The archipelago is a popular recreation area for boaters of all types, bicyclists, divers, fishermen, and general tourists.
Bicycle Rentals - All of the San Juan Islands, including Orcas, Shaw, and Lopez, are wonderful for bicyclists. Island Bicycles 360-378-4941 is located in downtown Friday Harbor and rents bicycles by the hour, day or week.
The Whale Museum - This is a great little museum for learning about whales. It is located 2 blocks from the ferry terminal in downtown Friday Harbor. The museum boasts full-size skeletons of whales that once lived in the San Juan Islands, and a variety of other thoughtful exhibits and interactive displays.
Whale-watching by Powered Boat - Try Jim Maya's Whale Watching for orca whale watching from San Juan Island. Jim provides a personalized service with a maximum of six guests.
Roche Harbor Resort - This historical landmark, over a century old, was at one time the largest producer of lime and cement west of the Mississippi. It has been transformed into a pleasant resort with beautiful flower gardens, a restaurant, swimming pool and tennis courts.
Lime Kiln (Whale Watch) State Park - The first park ever created for the purpose of whale-watching, it offers frequent views of orcas and minke whales, Dall's and harbor porpoises, harbor seals, bald eagles, and lots more. It is a goal on our one day kayaking trips to paddle along the shore of this park. Bicyclists often ride to Lime Kiln to have a picnic. Park staff are present to interpret natural history.
San Juan Island National Historical Park (British and American Camps) - These parks commemorate the days when the United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over possession of the San Juan Islands. The "Pig War" nearly erupted into full scale battle after an American settler shot a pig owned by Britain's Hudson Bay Company. The two camps are located on opposite ends of the island and make a great destination for bicyclists, trail hikers and picnickers. Both locations have excellent high hills for stunning views of mountains, sea, and islands.
Travel Information to the San Juan Islands
Kayak Tours near Seattle, Washington
