June is Orca Awareness Month

This beautiful photo of J26 and J50, who we lost in 2018, was taken by Whale Watch Captain James Maya with Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching. He sent it along with the following message:

“This is my small gift to you. Make prints of this image, as many as you like. Give them away, send them to friends, gift them to others, go spread the word, the story of J50, and the SRKWs and their plight. Talk about salmon restoration. Join the Center for Whale Research. Give your dollars to worthy causes. Talk about global warming. Talk about the Snake River. Talk about the Big Leaf Maples that are dying. There is much to be done. Spread the word. 

J50 and her clan are the canaries in the coal mine. Our environment is the coal mine. The canaries are dying.”

Capt. Jim

James Mead Maya

Exploring the Scenic By-Way on San Juan Island

Designated in 2009 for its natural beauty and cultural significance, San Juan Island’s Scenic By-Way leads along breathtaking coastlines, lush fields, by farms, historic sites and amazing beaches. Explore the Scenic By-Way by car, moped, bike or shuttle bus and experience the stunning beauty and rich history San Juan Island has to offer, packed with fun for the entire family.

Find a complete weekend itinerary of a Scenic Tour of the Isle here.

San Juan Island with Teenagers

The recipe for a successful weekend getaway with your teenager must include a cool destination, amazing adventure and the right mix of alone and family time. Completely walkable, quaint Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is especially suited for such a vacation, with its numerous, safe, exciting things your teen can do alone, like bowling, going to the movies, the skatepark or shopping, and the vast array of fun family experiences the island offers. 

Find the coolest, funnest 11 Teen Tested Ideas for a Successful San Juan Island Vacationhere.

Packing Tips for a Kayak Trip in the San Juan Islands

Every level of experience and every age are welcome at San Juan Outfitters

Even on an overcast day, playing in the water is fun!

One of my goals this year is to tread lightly, or lighter rather. I’ve always been conservation minded, but this year I intend to seriously cut down if not eliminate any single use plastics, to use less gas and to be more mindful about how I consume and how much space I take up on this beautiful and delicate earth of ours.

With this in mind I treated myself to a guided kayak tour with San Juan Outfitters earlier this year. Gliding silently through the beautiful waters of the Salish Sea, while respectfully observing wildlife really appealed to me, and at the same time, pushed my boundaries just enough.

San Juan Outfitters have their base camp in the bustling historic resort of Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, and they’ll pick you up in Friday Harbor if you are travelling without a car. All guided tours take place in double kayaks, which you “board” via slip docks, making it virtually impossible to fall in the water trying to get in or out of your boat. I liked that very much. San Juan Outfitter’s fun kayak guides are all trained naturalists, able to answer such pressing questions as “how long do starfish live” and “how fast does bull kelp grow”. They know where the Bald Eagles’ nests are, where the latest whale sighting was and how much time you have left to watch the seals playing before the tide goes out. I felt safe, in excellent hands and had an unforgettable experience.

Insider Tip:

In addition to “my” three-hour kayak tour out of Roche Harbor, San Juan Outfitters also offers 5-hour Orca Search, multi day, family, as well as bioluminescent kayak tours. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome. Call and discuss which trip is right for you. 

When packing for your kayak trip, especially if you are going on a day where the weather is still trying to decide whether it will be warm and sunny or breezy and overcast, bring more not less. San Juan Outfitters have a big locker by their check-in kiosk where you can leave the things that you don’t want to bring on the water.

You’ll get a kayaking skirt, so you won’t get wet in your boat. You’ll also be asked to wear a life vest with lots of pockets, additionally protecting you from wind and cold and perfect to store your phone or camera and gloves.

Use the bathroom on the docks before your kayak trip. If you have to go during the outing, your kayak guide will find a place to pull over to use the bushes. 

What to wear:

• Dress for the water temperature, rather than the air temperature, while you won’t be swimming, you will be sitting low, surrounded by cold water

• Wear layers, lots and lots of comfortable layers, to protect against both, sun and cold.

• Avoid water absorbing cotton and go with quick drying fibers, your arms are likely to get little drips of water up your sleeves when you paddle

• Wear river sandals or old sneakers.

• Sun hat with straps or well-fitting baseball cap and a beanie for underneath.

• Light gloves, against cold and blisters.

What to bring:

• Sunscreen, always, especially on cloudy days. 

• Sunglasses.

• Water in a metal or plastic bottle, avoid glass.

• Snack, like a granola bar or some fruit.

• Camera & go-pro.

• Binoculars.

 Have fun!

History lives Here! The Boarding House at Lime Kiln

In 1860, lime production began on San Juan Island in what is today the Lime Kiln State Park, also known as the Whale Watch Park. For 60 years, the area adjacent to the park was quarried for limestone. Kilns were built to fire the limestone to produce lime. Buildings were built, roads were cut and much of the island was logged to feed the fires of the kilns. Three to four cords of wood per day fired the kilns to transform 20 tons of limestone into 9 tons of lime.

The Boarding House at Lime Kiln in above photo from circa 1970 served as the kitchen and boarding house for the lime kiln workers. Photo courtesy of San Juan Historical Museum.

Today you can visit a rebuilt lime kiln in the park. In the woods beyond its boundaries, you’ll find the ruins of other lime kilns and of above boarding house.

3 Most Unusual Farms to visit on San Juan Island

You can plan an entire trip just around visiting San Juan Island’s abundant farms.  Get your fresh duck eggs and flowers from a colorful farm stand by the roadside, visit baby alpacas, go horseback riding and stroll through pumpkin patches. Then there are the farms unique to San Juan Island, where they make unusual things, like madrone-infused brandy, lavender ice cream and grow the plumpest oysters you’ll ever have.

Don’t miss these 3 Most Unusual Farms on San Juan Island this Summer!

10 Tips for an unforgettable Mother-Daughter Getaway to San Juan Island

No present in the world can sufficiently express the gratitude you have for the women, who raised you, kept you warm and fed and safe, put herself last every time and loved you, even when you were a teenager. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, why not plan a mother-daughter getaway to San Juan Island and give the gift of spending quality time together?

Here are 10 Tips for an unforgettable Mother-Daughter Getaway to San Juan Island.

Day 248 on San Juan Island…When it Rains!

Beautiful views from South Beach

Romantic Dinner for Two at COHO Restaurant

Slip under the heated covers and get pampered at the Spa at Earthbox

And then there's the wine...

It’s true. San Juan Island, nestled in the Olympic Rain Shadow, enjoys an average of 247 sunny days per year, making it a glorious destination, especially in Spring, when we Washingtonians have all but forgotten the yellow ball in the sky.

What happens when you come visit on day 248 though? What will you do on San Juan Island when it rains? Have a marvelous time with our insider tips for a rainy day on the isle!

1)          Spa Day

A visit to the cozy, inviting Spa at Earthbox, with its extensive massage, facial, body & nail care menu and fun add-ons, is a real treat. Get pampered, flush the toxins out of your body and walk away feeling healthier and younger.

2)          Driving Tour

San Juan Island with one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, was chosen in 2009 to become Washington State newest Scenic By-Way. Just follow the signs or your mood and discover breathtaking vistas and the most stunning views. Park at one of the numerous pull-outs high above the cliffs for a car picnic and to watch the eagles riding the wind.

3)          Romantic Dinner

Also known as the “gourmet archipelago”, San Juan Island’s accomplished chefs are creating amazing concoctions from the abundance of sea and (is)land. Treat yourself to the First Seating at COHO Restaurant, between 5:00pm & 5:45pm daily, and enjoy a three-course tasting menu for two and a bottle of wine for only $70.

4)          Bowling and Arcades

When was the last time you went bowling? Paradise Lanes just across the street from Earthbox Inn & Spa, features eight lanes, three pool tables, air hockey and arcade games for all ages. Get ready for an afternoon of good old-fashioned fun.

5)          Storm Watching

We are not made out of sugar. Don those layers and an extra windbreaker for good measure and get out there. South Beach in American Camp National Historic Park and the isle’s longest beach, is the most exposed to weather. Sometimes the winds are so strong, you can lean into it without holding your body up. Be careful on the slick cliffs and drift logs, bring the camera and look forward to your mouth hurting from not being able to stop smiling.

6)          Art Day

San Juan Islands Museum of Art exhibits visual art from the Pacific Northwest and Southwest British Columbia with a sense of place. In addition to rotating exhibitions, you can enjoy lecture series, family art days and art education. Plus the building’s architecture, the island’s former medical center, is worth a visit alone.

7)          Wine Tasting

Visit San Juan Vineyards, overlooking lush Beaverton Valley, and their cute, historic tasting room and gift shop. Learn about the vineyard and wine making, their fun special events and stock up on their excellent selection.

Earth Day on San Juan Island

April is National Volunteer Month. It feels so good to be part of something bigger. Consider joining us on San Juan Island for the Great Island Clean-up. Every Earth Day weekend islanders and visitors alike get together and clean San Juan Island’s beaches to keep our isle pristine and our wildlife healthy. Besides being unsightly, micro-plastic ingestion especially is a huge threat to wildlife, leading to endocrine disruption and toxicity. Contact Jana from San Juan County to learn more and sign up.

Above picture was taken on South Beach on a rainy Earth Day past. Laura, owner of the Earthbox Inn & Spa, and her staff get together every year and clean up a beach together.

5 of the Most Awe-Inspiring Hikes on San Juan Island

Once you know it, it’s just so obvious... The San Juan Islands are the tops of mountains of a receding continent much older than the American mainland. Worn down by glaciers, the sedimentary rock exposed on the San Juan Islands is from the Paleozoic era, about 540 to 250 million years old. The archipelago also has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. The result: breathtaking vistas, stunning nature and amazing wildlife watching. There’s no better way to experience that than during a nice, long walk.

Here is a list of the 5 Most Awe-Inspiring Hikes on San Juan Island.