Friday Harbor San Juan Islands WA

San Juan Island Travel Information

The San Juan Islands is a series of ancient mountaintops protruding from the Salish Sea, an inland waterway northwest of Seattle, Washington. The Salish Sea is part of the famed inside passage to Alaska, explored and charted most notably by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. There are roughly 170 separate islands, with San Juan Island being nearly the largest (Orcas island is only minutely larger). San Juan Island is about as far Northwest as you can get inside the continental United States. Most islanders, of course, would argue that San Juan Island is a continent unto itself. San Juan Island is roughly equidistant from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington, with beautiful Victoria, British Columbia and Buchart Gardens just a short boat ride across Haro Strait.

San Juan Island is the quintessential northwest destination. And getting here really is half the fun. If you come by ferry, you will be treated to a spectacular ninety-minute boat ride through a labyrinth of sparkling seas and emerald islands. If you come by air, you’ll be amazed at how the San Juan Islands are cradled between so many majestic mountains. Here is some inside information to help you find your way.