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Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands, off the northern coast of Washington State, at about 57 sq mi (150 km2). About 5,000 call this horseshoe-shaped island home, though many more visit by ferry to enjoy the harbors, resorts, parks, galleries and other natural beauty the island is immersed in.
Cities
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- 1 Eastsound — the largest populated area on Orcas Island. This article also covers the smaller communities on the east side of the island:
- 5 Orcas Village — built around the island's ferry terminal. This article also covers the smaller communities on the west side of the island:
Understand
[edit]The name is a shortened form of Horcasitas, from the Viceroy of New Spain Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, who sent an exploration expedition to the region in 1791. Back then, the island was a summer shellfishing grounds for the Lummi Indians. As European Americans (and Canadians until the Pig War) settled the island from the mid-1800s, it went through waves of farming, fishing and logging, until becoming primarily a center of tourism.
Get in
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By ferry
[edit]Washington State Ferries operates the Anacortes / San Juan Islands route:
- 1 Orcas Island Terminal, 8368 Orcas Rd (in Orcas Village), ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-888-808-7977. The island's sole ferry terminal.
The ferry also makes stops at:
- Anacortes Terminal on the mainland, about 1½ hours north of Seattle. This is the only easy way to take a car to the islands. Anacortes Terminal is connected by public bus to Mount Vernon and the rest of mainland, and by private shuttle directly to Seattle and SeaTac Airport.
- Lopez Island, at its northern tip, about 4 mi (6.4 km) from Lopez Village
- Shaw Island, near its northeast corner
- San Juan Island, at Friday Harbor
The ferry schedule is complicated. There's a sailing about once an hour in the summer, a little less often in the winter. One vessel makes several interisland loops, while the other vessels run from Anacortes to one or more islands and back.
Reservations are strongly recommended for vehicles, especially for summer weekends, when the wait for loading cars can be notoriously long. It is not unusual to wait in line for many hours, and missing the last ferry can mean a desperate search for accommodations to spend an unplanned night on the islands.
Walk-on passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing. Vehicle traffic with reservations should arrive about 60 minutes prior to sailing. Vehicles without reservations should prepare to wait several hours during peak afternoon and weekend sailing.
By seaplane
[edit]- Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, fax: +1 425-485-4774, [email protected]. Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands including Orcas Island. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI IATA) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD IATA). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139.
Get around
[edit]By car
[edit]Orcas Island is large enough that most travelers will want a car for exploring. You can bring your car on the ferry, but there are also a few local options for renting.
- Orcas Island Rental Car (Car delivered at time and location you specify.), ☏ +1 360 376-7433, [email protected]. Used but clean cars, mini-vans and convertibles. Delivered to you anywhere on Orcas Island. When you are done with the car, just lock the keys in it and leave; they come pick it up. Available year-round. 4-door midsize car $64.95, mini-van $84.95, convertible $104.95.
- M & W Car Rentals (Orcas Ferry Landing), ☏ +1 360-376-5157. May 15 - Oct 15 only. This Orcas Island branch of a Friday Harbor-based business usually has just one size of car available (though a van may be available on request) and only during peak season. $59.95/day.
By bike
[edit]Perhaps the most pleasant way to get around the island, especially if you aren't in a hurry, is by bicycle. You can bring your own bike on the ferry, or rent one at various outlets around the island, including in Eastsound.
By taxi
[edit]- Orcas Island Taxi, Eastsound, ☏ +1 360 376-TAXI (8294), toll-free: +1-800-942-1926, [email protected]. 24 hours per day. Example fare: Eastsound to Ferry dock $27.00. 5.50 drop + $2.50 per mile.
See
[edit]- Moran State Park, on the eastern side of the island, has an amazing view atop Mt. Constitution, from a stone tower built by the public works of the Roosevelt era.
Do
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- Go sea kayaking with biologist guides in the prime orca whale watching waters. Abundant seals, eagles, and other marine wildlife are seen on day tours or camping trips from 2, 3 or 5 days to the smaller islands.
Buy
[edit]Eastsound and Orcas Village have well-stocked grocery stores. The other harbor towns have small general stores.
Art galleries are clustered in Eastsound and scattered throughout the rest of the island.
Eat and drink
[edit]Most of the island's restaurants are on the two main streets of Eastsound. The other harbor towns each have one or two places to eat.
Sleep
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With a variety of Inns you are able to pick what suits you the most. From new to vintage, small cottages to your traditional Inns, as well as resorts and hotels.
Moran State Park has four campgrounds.
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