The San Juan Islands are the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest.
Over 172 “named” islands make up the beautiful area of the Puget Sound known as the San Juan Islands. This incredible archipelago is traversed by small boats and a network of ferries serving the main islands. Overall, it is remote, and a solid 5-hour excursion from Seattle to go on-island (to Orcas) depending on ferry time.
This year I was lucky to grab an early-season yurt and we got to head out to Orcas Island for the weekend!
In the summer, the ferries will book out several weeks in advance, so plan ahead! They do release some spots 48-hours in advance to help with last-minute planning, but those reservations are typically snagged within a few hours so be prepared to move fast!
This time around, we sailed with the NW Chelan.
I always forget to get good pictures when I’m on a ferry. To be honest, I’m usually so overcome with childlike excitement by the prospect of being on a boat that I’m too caught up in the moment.
But here’s one just to give a little taste of the open-air deck experience during travel!
And here, the ferry stop for Orcas Island!
Orcas Island is one of the larger islands in the archipelago and offers all of the wonderful things you could ever want: sea kayaking, hiking, beach combing, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking, and a peaceful retreat. Shaped like a horseshoe, the ferry drops you off on the Western arm and getting to our destination allowed us to drive around the horseshoe to Doe Bay on the Southeastern side (and put us in close proximity to Moran State Park--home of Mount Constitution--a destination that has been on my list for years!)
Here’s a map--sourced from Google, of course!
Next time we’re back I’d love to grab kayaks in Olga and take a 1/2 day to kayak out around Obstruction Island--I’m told it’s a worthwhile 5-hour trip and I’m itching to try it.
After 5 hours in the car getting to Doe Bay, the first order of business on arrival was relaxing at beach.
Some lovely sun and clear skies gave us the combined beauty of distant islands and bright blue water. No filters on any of these photos--because nature is her own best artist.
If you know me, you know there’s always at least one pic of “man and uke”.
We weren’t the only ones happy to be out of the car. Cash was also ready to kick back oceanside.
And here a little panorama of the water, islands, and sky. Every time I go here I’m struck by the natural “filtering” created by all the water and foliage. Everything on-island is just a littler richer and more saturated.
Ah, water. No filter.
Walking back to camp we stumbled across another little beach, so of course...
I snapped another quick beach pic!
The next morning we were up bright and early on the road to Mt. Constitution. Although we had originally planned to hike it (abut 7 miles up), we discovered that there’s a really accessible road to get there and decided to take a leisurely day and drive. ;)
Here a shot about halfway up the mountainside from an overlook.
At the very top, you can get a 360 degree perspective as Mount Constitution is the highest point in all 172 islands! From the watch tower on top you can see Mt. Baker and the Cascades all the way to Vancouver, BC on one side and the Olympic Mountains and southern tip of Vancouver Island on the other.
And here a view from the summit!
Climbing the watch tower is fun (I failed at getting good pictures), but if you like poking around in old stone towers and checking out little side rooms in relic-style monuments you’ll enjoy it.
At the very top you can get inside of a little, glass enclosed room and see all the way around!
A close-up--of Mount Baker!
And a close-up of Cash--with Mount Baker in the distance. Ha.
Before I close this post, I had to show you a picture of our little yurt at Doe Bay Retreat (more like a really awesome camp ground with a few sweet amenities).
Best part of this particular yurt were the windows overlooking the bay (and it being dog friendly)!
And of course you can’t go to Doe Bay without checking out their amazing outdoor, saltwater hot tubs on a big deck overlooking the beach and ocean. Here, I only snapped one tub because the others were occupied and it is clothing optional so be warned!
Best part: the tubs are free for guests camping onsite or staying in one of the yurts/cabins.
And lastly, a picture of me feeling at peace in the sunshine with someone I love (which is how I’d like to spend all my days off!). <3
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Oh... serenity overload...
Haha, yessss...that’s a great way to put it. Thanks for stopping by!
Anytime Lily :P
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the support! :)
I love the San Juan Islands, I have some family and friends out there. I think I've spent the least time on Orcas out of all of them, but I did enjoy the time I was there. Nice photos, glad to see some PNW adventuring :) Makes me think I need to get out there soon.
It’s one of the best places to go in any season...so many possible islands to explore! Also, check out my artist collective, @thenewalchemists...it’s for creatives of all sorts including musicians. :) Followed you back as a fellow Pacific Northwester.
Agreed, and will do! Thanks! :)
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Such a great post . Beautifully presented . Thank you so much for sharing . @lilyraabe
Oh and thank you so much for stopping by to check it out, I really appreciate it!
Your pictures make me wanna go there too! If I ever happen to be in the vicinity, I'll definitely have to check this out. Especially the tub :-)
There are actually 3 TUBS all in a row and a sauna. I want to go back in the rainy season to really enjoy them!
Bagus sekali postingan kamu. Saya jadi pingin treveling @lilyraabe
<3 Thank you for stopping by!
very interesting scenery. if I could get there, I'd be glad.
If you ever get the chance you must!
Yeah right lily.
oh wow! this looks like heaven to me! I love Cash too! <3
He is my BEST adventure buddy for sure! Thank you so much for stopping by!
@lilyraabe wate and land..always been a perfect place for vacation like the photography...looks very serene and peace
It was absolutely beautiful...so peaceful, and the perfect “time away”. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy these posts immensely! That last picture is very very frameable by the way <3 Congrats on your well-deserved Curie!
Oh thank you so much, I really appreciate you coming by to check it out and thanks for saying that about the last shot. <3
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I didn’t know about the travelfeed tag!! Thank you so much for the support and I’m looking forward to getting to know your community!
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I know what you mean about being on ferry and feeling like a child. ;0) It happens to me too! Orca Island looks beautiful and peaceful. Such a great place to relax over the weekend! I would love to kayak in there!!!
Yesss....being on a boat is always so much fun. I have a dream in my back pocket that I’ll move onto a sailboat one day. :) Thank you for stopping by to read and check this out.
Niiice! Really beautiful shots of beautiful places 💙
Cute Dogo🐶 BTW 😉
Thanks so much, the cute dogo appreciates the attention, haha. He likes to be at the center of everything. Appreciate you stopping by.
Amazing pics of your travel, the sky and sea are so blue i like the way you catch them!
Thank you so much, appreciate you stopping by to read the post and see what I’ve been up to. :)
Those are beautiful pictures! It looks so relaxing and I just want to pet that dog lol
Aw, thanks for stopping by, always appreciate it. <3
Such beautiful scenery of nature, thanks for sharing it with us :-)
Totally welcome, thanks for checking it out! :)
Very nice post!
Felt as if I was there :)
Thanks so much for the support, glad you enjoyed! :)
I love all the pictures, but the one of Cash the happy doggo was my absolute favorite. Cash the serene doggo was pretty great as well.
It’s actually a bit embarrassing how many photos I have of Cash on a mountain that I don’t post, haha. I try to control myself with the dog spam.