San Juan Islands Weekend Island-Hopping Tour
Take a ferry from Anacortes near Seattle, stay on Orcas and San Juan Islands, hike, and go whale watching
The most popular island weekend getaway around Seattle. First, head to Orcas Island to hike Mount Constitution, then transfer to Friday Harbor and watch orcas from the shore at Lime Kiln Point. Driving your car onto the ferry offers the most freedom, but you can also park your car at Anacortes and board as a walk-on passenger. Ideal for couples and slow travelers. The direct ferry from Seattle has applied to suspend service for the 2026 season, so this itinerary only uses the Washington State Ferries.
Accommodations and vehicle ferry spots are tight in summer; vehicle ferry reservations must be made in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Ferry to Orcas Island
Drive to Anacortes in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours), take the ferry to Orcas Island (approx. 1 hour), and drive to Eastsound (20 minutes).
Not all sailings stop at every island; double-check the ferry schedule.
Stay: East Sound
Day 2 · Mount Constitution to Friday Harbor
San Juan Islands（Mount Constitution、Moran State Park – Cascade Lake、Friday Harbor、Lime Kiln Point State Park）
Drive up to Moran State Park in the morning (approx. 30 minutes), and take the inter-island ferry to Friday Harbor in the afternoon (approx. 45 minutes).
Inter-island ferries cannot be reserved; arrive early to line up at the terminal.
Stay: Friday Harbor
Day 3 · Roche Harbor to Return Journey
San Juan Islands（Roche Harbor、English Camp、The Whale Museum） → Seattle
Explore Roche Harbor in the morning (approx. 30-minute drive), take the ferry back to Anacortes in the afternoon (approx. 1+ hours), and return to Seattle.
Whale watching tours take about 3 to 4 hours; schedule your return ferry after that.