Recommended San Juan Island Activities

There is so much to do on San Juan Island that it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. Here are some favorite island activities in several categories.

Lodging Favorites

• Bird Rock Hotel of Friday Harbor - Adorable historic Hotel with newly renovated interior. Distinctive, discerning and hip

• Earthbox Inn & Spa - Retro Motor Inn, with renovated rooms and indoor pool. Playful, adventurous and imaginative

Dining Favorites

• Downriggers ~ Pacific Northwest cuisine on Friday Harbor's waterfront with large outdoor deck.

• Friday’s Crabhouse ~ open air restaurant serving fresh, local seafood on the bustling waterfront.

• McMillin’s Dining Room ~ Island-certified-local, elegant waterfront dining at Roche Harbor Resort.

• Vinny’s Ristorante ~ gourmet Italian in a romantic setting.

Romantic Favorites

• Sunset picnic at the Whale Watch Park

• Champagne and flowers waiting in your room at check in

• Deluxe King-Jacuzzi Suite for two, Friday Harbor

• Sunset Whale Watch Trip

• Watching wildlife at South Beach

• Treat yourself to Bivalves by the Bonfire at the Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm

• Tandem kayak tour out of Roche Harbor

• Island tour by scoot car

• Massage at The Spa at Earthbox

• Romantic dinner for two at the elegant Mc Millen's Dining Room

• Tasting at San Juan Distillery

• Stroll the galleries & boutiques in Friday Harbor

Family Favorites

• Play on the sandy beach at Grandma's Cove

• Adopt a whale at Friday Harbor’s renowned Whale Museum

• Go on a whale watch tour

• Fly a kite at South Beach

• Hike to Lime Kiln Lighthouse & look for Orcas

• Bike to Jackson's Beach & play some volleyball

• Choose from 72 flavors of ice cream at the Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co on the waterfront

• Visit the San Juan Island Sculpture Park & make your own art

• Swim at the Earthbox Inn & Spa

• Tour the Alpaca Farm

• Go for a pony ride

• Play a round of golf or tennis at the beautiful San Juan Golf & Tennis Club

• Visit during the adorable San Juan County Fair

Adventure Favorites

• Bike the perimeter of San Juan Island

• Explore British and American Camp National Historic Park

• Go on a 5-hour Orca Search kayak tour

• Climb Mt Young

• Take a flight lesson

• Charter a sailboat

• Take a wild ride on a zodiak and watch whales & other wildlife

• Browse the real estate listings posted on Spring Street

• Bicycle to Lopez or Shaw Island

• Moped around all the islands

Winter Favorites

• San Juan Island is in the Olympic Rain-shadow & enjoys 247 sunny days each year

• Come for the Savor The San Juans festivities & celebrate the bounty & abundance of Fall in October

• Visit the awesome Friday Harbor Documentary Film Festival

• Enjoy the Festival of Lights & a huge array of fun holiday festivities in December

• Miles of beach to yourself and great room rates

• Discover local artists at the many Friday Harbor galleries

• Watch the Winter storms roaring on the Olympic Peninsula from South Beach

• Feast on local seafood

• Watch a play at the local theater

• Treat yourself to a spa day

• Dance like nobody is watching to live music at San Juan Island Brewing