Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands and offers plenty of options for a full day! So how do you make the most of your day trip?
We recommend following the Scenic Byway. Whether by car or transit, this route takes you to some of the most notable attractions on the island. If you are arriving directly in Eastsound, West Sound, or Rosario via plane, consider catching the transit, calling a taxi, or renting a bike.
Use the itinerary below to find the must-visit stops for your day of exploring!
Pro-Tips for day trippers to Orcas coming by ferry:
1) You will need to make a reservation to bring a vehicle with you to Orcas Island from Anacortes and back.
2) While the quaint Orcas Village is located right at the ferry terminal on Orcas, the larger town of Eastsound, is about 8 miles from the ferry terminal. Having a vehicle to get around is really your best bet on Orcas Island. If you do wish to leave the car behind in Anacortes, once you get on the island you can take a taxi, rent a car, or even use the seasonal public shuttle if you are coming during the summer! If you are interested in tackling the hills, winding curves, and steep climbs of Orcas on bike, you can find more info here.
3) Try to take the earliest possible ferry you can from Anacortes. When you leave the island for your return to the mainland, plan on departing no later than the second to last ferry of the night. We suggest this to be sure you have the buffer of another ferry, in case of any unplanned long delays or cancelations.
4) Try to avoid booking a tour or any activity that requires ticketing or reservations within 3 hours of your ferry's scheduled arrival on island. If the ferry is delayed, you may not make it in time for your trip. Many operators do not provide refunds if the ferry is delayed.
5) Be sure to subscribe to the WSDOT ferry alerts a couple of days ahead of your travel, so that you can be made aware of any delays or cancelations with as much advanced notice as possible.
Upon arriving on Orcas Island via ferry, you'll enter Orcas Village, a tiny hamlet with a few shops, a post office, historic hotel, and grocery store. Although generally quiet, "the Landing," as it is called by locals, is a meeting place for travelers and commuters.
On the shores of Buck Bay about 20 minutes south of Eastsound, you’ll find the hamlet of Olga, named for the wife of the first postmaster on Orcas Island. In this tiny corner of the island, you'll find a historic strawberry packing plant turned art gallery, a delicious cafe, and an eclectic shellfish farm. Soak in local art, enjoy farm-fresh food, and relax with a view of the bay.
Doe Bay offers a variety of accommodations in a rustic, down-to-earth environment, with soaking tubs and sauna set over a waterfall, a one-acre organic garden, and an excellent restaurant. Start the day with yoga practice in our studio and follow it with a massage. Take a guided kayak trip in the afternoon and have a delicious meal in the waterfront cafe, hike the day away in nearby Moran State Park. Then read about the things you've seen in Otter Lodge guest lounge and library. Whether you come for a personal retreat, a family gathering, or take part in an event, you will be touched by the magic and the beauty of Doe Bay.
Outside of Eastsound driving south on Olga Road, you'll turn right onto Rosario Road and follow it to historic Moran Mansion at Rosario Resort. Robert Moran, a shipbuilder and former mayor of Seattle, completed the mansion in 1909, which is now the centerpiece of this popular resort and marina. Recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the property still retains a link to its turn-of-the-century origins, as is evident by the artfully restored teak and mahogany mansion, which boasts 6,000 square feet of teak parquet floors and houses the resort′s art gallery, historical museum, and famed music room featuring Tiffany chandeliers, a Steinway grand piano and an Aeolian pipe organ.
Moran State Park is a 5,252-acre park with five freshwater lakes, 38 miles of trails that are great for hiking or birdwatching, and mountain biking in winter months. There are also plenty of picnic shelters, and other activities such as horseback riding, boat rentals and more. Near the summit of Mt. Constitution, a gift shop and learning center operated by the Friends of Moran offer maps, gifts, cards and information about the park and its history. The park is open year-round for camping and day use, and you can reserve ahead online, or check at the park entrance for availability. Reservations necessary Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Your visit to secluded Obstruction Pass State Park, named for nearby Obstruction Island, takes you to not only the longest beach on Orcas but also one of the San Juans’ most unusual—a crescent of ocean-smoothed, marble-sized pebbles in rainbow colors. Hike in half a mile to one of the 80-acre park’s 11 first-come, first-served primitive campsites, land your kayak on Pebble Beach, or anchor out at one of three moorings. Many campsites overlook the water; vault toilets and fire pits are available.
Just beyond Orcas Village and the ferry landing, a left turn leads to West Sound vis Deer Harbor Road. Like many of Orcas Island's many small villages, West Sound has been settled for centuries, first by Coast Salish tribes, then homesteaders, fishermen and boaters. Some of the best orchard land on Orcas Island can be found in West Sound, looking out over a charming marina towards the privately owned Picnic Island. There are several bed and breakfast inns in the area, as well as the Kingfish at West Sound. Known for a delicious farm-to-table menu, the restaurant at Kingfish at West Sound is the perfect place to stay, enjoy the view, and enjoy a locally sourced meal. Orcas Island Historic Yacht Tours, based in West Sound, is a great option for sightseeing in the Islands. Specializing in daily sightseeing tours around the San Juan Islands, you're sure to experience the very best the Islands have to offer!
Tucked between two peninsulas on Orcas Island's west side, Deer Harbor is a scenic 20-minute drive from the ferry landing where you’ll find one of the few sandy beaches in the Islands. At its heart lies the Deer Harbor Marina. In this tiny gem of a village, choose from a small but quality selection of lodging, from cozy B&B's to individual cabins overlooking the marina. Get picnic food, grilled burgers, sandwiches and snacks at the Dock Store or enjoy a casual dinner at Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant.
"Magical" is the best way to describe Orcas Island Pottery off of West Beach Road. The oldest pottery shop in the Pacific Northwest, this gem was established in 1945 and features the work of local pottery artists. This whimsical display of unique pottery placed throughout gardens, cabins, and picnic tables is a favorite destination for nature and art lovers visiting Orcas Island.
Orcas Island's largest village, Eastsound, is the hub of business and activity and is home to shops, restaurants, museums, parks, and more. Grab a cup of coffee and wander the streets of this little village to find galleries featuring local artists, farm-to-table restaurants, massage and yoga studios, as well as stylish boutiques, excellent bakeries, a well-stocked bookstore, and food co-op.
Looking for a little more adventure? Check out the recreation and wildlife tours on the island. Book a whale and wildlife tour or a multi-hour kayaking trip. Or, stay on land and consider renting bikes or finding a trailhead. Explore hiking routes in Moran State Park, at Turtleback Mountain, and Deception Pass State Park.
