Washington
San Juan Islands Cruise
About this paddle route
The San Juans are the classic Pacific Northwest cruising ground: protected water, dozens of anchorages, and marine parks on islands you can only reach by boat. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are the two full-service harbors on San Juan Island itself. What makes it a navigator’s cruising ground rather than a lake is the current. Tidal streams through the passes run hard enough to stop a slow boat, so passages get planned around slack water.
Anacortes out to Friday Harbor and around to Roche Harbor, through the heart of the archipelago.
Highlights
What earns the trip
- Roche Harbor, a historic resort harbor with a full marina
- Friday Harbor is the county seat and the ferry hub
- Southern resident orcas are seen in Haro Strait through the summer
- Marine state parks with mooring buoys throughout the islands
Stops
- 1
Anacortes
Mainland departure point and ferry terminal.
- 2
Friday Harbor
Main harbor on San Juan Island, with full services.
- 3
Roche Harbor
Historic resort marina at the north end of the island.
When to go
Best time to go
June through September. The islands sit in a rain shadow and are drier than Seattle.
Planner estimate for the mapped line: 1h 34m
Before you go
Know before you go
- Plan passages around the current tables. The passes run several knots.
- Washington requires vessels to stay well clear of southern resident killer whales. Know the current distance rule.
- Guest moorage in both harbors fills on summer weekends. Call ahead.
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