When Do The Whales Swim By? And Other Frequently Asked Questions

The San Juan Islands are unique and special, both for visitors, and for the people who live here. For first-timers, a lot of questions may come up—and the locals have heard it all. We thought you might enjoy some of the amusing questions fielded by locals—and their answers may help you have a more enjoyable island visit.

DO I HAVE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS ON THE WASHINGTON STATE FERRY TO TRAVEL TO THE SAN JUANS?

• Reservations are available and recommended on the WSF. Find out more at Getting Here is Half the Fun.

DO I HAVE TO PAY BOTH WAYS TO GET TO AND FROM THE ISLANDS BY FERRY?

• Washington State Ferry fares to the San Juan Islands paid at the Anacortes terminal include round trip travel. Fares are less expensive in the off-season (late-September through mid-May).

DO THE FERRIES RUN IN THE WINTER?

• WSF runs year-round, though on seasonal schedules throughout the year. So be sure to check out their website (above) for a current or upcoming schedule.

CAN I BRING MY CAR ON THE FERRY?

• You can travel in your car between Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw via the Washington State Ferries. There is a fee for vehicles (by length and height) and drivers traveling westbound only. You can also travel between these four islands, and some others, via our local airlines and water taxis. Find out more at Getting Around.

IS THERE A WAY TO GET AROUND THE ISLANDS IF I DO NOT BRING MY CAR?
 

• San Juan Island and the town of Friday Harbor offer several options for transportation. You may choose to take a seasonal shuttle, moped, or scoot coupe (May through September) around the island, take a taxi, rent a car, or bicycle. All are within walking distance of the ferry terminal.
• Orcas Island You can rent a car, bicycle, (seasonal) moped, or scoot coupe from the ferry terminal at Orcas Village, or you can call a taxi from the payphone located at the ferry terminal.
• Lopez Island offers bicycle rentals which are located in Lopez Village, 4 miles from the ferry terminal. If you call ahead of time, they will have them waiting at the ferry terminal for you. 
• Some inns and B&Bs on all three islands will pick up guests at the ferry terminal, so ask your host if they offer this service.

WHEN I ARRIVE AT MY ISLAND DESTINATION, HOW CAN I GET AROUND TO THE OTHER ISLANDS?

• There's an inter-island route for Washington State Ferries (it's highlighted on the schedule). No reservation needed! If you're traveling westbound, there will be an additional charge for your vehicle, but all passengers are free!  

WHAT TIME DO THE WHALES SWIM BY? WHEN AM I MOST LIKELY TO SEE ORCA WHALES IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS?

Although we can't set our watches by the orca's lunchtime, you can increase your chances of seeing them by weighing your whale-watching options:

• Orcas can be sighted all year long, but the three Southern Resident pods (J-, K- and L-pods) generally forage for Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea during the summer months (May - September). Bigg's, or transient, orcas also frequent the Salish Sea feeding on seals, porpoises, and the occasional seabird.
• Seeing whales from shore is a possibility at Lime Kiln Point State Park, also known as Whale Watch Park, on San Juan Island's west side. Besides orcas, there's the potential for spotting humpbacks and minke whales from the park. Keep an eye out for porpoises, seals, sea lions and bald eagles there as well.

WILL THE WHALES BE THERE WHEN WE GO OUT ON ONE OF THE TOUR BOATS?

• Take a whale watching tour aboard a boat (seasonal) with a member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association. There are several such commercial operators on San Juan and Orcas Islands, and the boat captains are all in touch when they are out on the water, so they can give you the best—and safest—wildlife viewing experience. Find out more about how to Leave No Trace and Be Whale Wise when traveling in nature.

CAN I BRING MY RV? 

Yes, but depending on the length and height, ferry fare can range from $75 to $250 roundtrip. Check fares here.

WHERE CAN I PARK IT?

Each island has a select number of places that can accommodate RVs:

• San Juan Island
  • San Juan County Park: 5 sites, <20 ft., and no hook-ups
  • San Juan County Fairgrounds: 8 sites, water, and power hook-ups, no sewer
• Orcas Island
  • Doe Bay Resort and Retreat: Ideal for small camper vans
  • Moran State Park: North End campground, reservations recommended
  • West Beach Resort: water and power hook-ups
• Lopez Island
  • Odlin County Park: 7 sites, <30ft., no hook-ups

Thinking about bringing your drone?  Please be aware that drones are not permitted on public lands and waters in San Juan County. This includes state parks, the San Juan Island National Historical Park, Land Bank preserves, and the National Monument.  Please respect other visitors, residents, historic buildings, and wildlife, especially the Southern Resident orcas who are federally protected. If you are a member of the media, permits may be available for some locations. Contact Communications Manager (amy@visitsanjuans.com) to learn more.  

ARE WE IN THE USA?
DO I NEED A PASSPORT TO GO TO FRIDAY HARBOR OR ORCAS OR LOPEZ?

Surprisingly, these questions would have been valid ones before 1872, when the San Juan Islands were finally designated to be in U.S. territory, rather than a part of Canada. No passport required! Discover the story of the "Pig War" at the San Juan Island National Historical Park. 

We should note, however, that if you want to take the international ferry over to Sidney, B.C., you will need your passport! 

WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES ARE THERE FOR CHILDREN IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS?

• The San Juan Islands are a great place for families. Kids can beach comb, check out tidepools, or walk miles of trails inhabited with an abundance of wildlife. See eagles, deer, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, seals, porpoises, and whales, just on an island stroll. Go for a whale watching tour by boat, or guided kayaking adventure (seasonal and depends on your age). Eat ice cream on the docks, check out the small aquarium at Spring Street Landing in Friday Harbor as well as the Coast Salish house posts in the park by the harbor. Enjoy The Funhouse on Orcas Island, skateboarding parks on all three islands, horseback riding, browsing children's toy stores, visiting The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor and more!

CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE ISLANDS? ARE THERE PET-FRIENDLY LODGINGS AND ACTIVITIES?

• The islands are a great place to travel with pets. Many lodgings in the islands are pet-friendly, and many parks and beaches allow pets on-leash. There are also dog parks on Orcas Island and San Juan Island for your puppy to run free.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT FESTIVALS AND EVENTS HAPPENING DURING MY VISIT TO THE ISLANDS?

• Special events occur year-round! Many events are free and most are open to the general public. Please check out our Calendar of Events for up-to-date listings.

WILL MY CELLPHONE WORK IN THE ISLANDS?

• Yes, but you may have spotty service in more remote areas.  Also, because we are so close to Canada, you may find that you are roaming, so watch your phone for alerts!

"WHERE DO YOU GO IN THE WINTER?"  "I LIVE HERE."  "I KNOW, BUT WHERE DO YOU GO IN THE WINTER WHEN THE ISLAND IS CLOSED?"

WHERE DO THE ISLANDS GO IN THE WINTER?

Believe it or not, these are real questions people have asked about the islands. Yes, the San Juan Islands seem like a seasonal place, but there is a population of about 16,000 people on the four main ferry-served islands, Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan Islands. Although some businesses close or are open fewer hours, more and more businesses are staying open year-round, and there is plenty to do in the off-season.

Celebrate holiday events, go winter hiking at our state and national historical parks, or enjoy a great meal and glass of local wine at one of our local restaurants. Browse bookstores, shops, and galleries see fascinating art at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art or visit the three island historical museums. There's plenty to do while the islands float their way through a cool and misty winter.

IS ORCAS ISLAND NAMED AFTER THE ORCA WHALE? HOW COME THE MAIN ISLANDS HAVE SPANISH NAMES?

The San Juan Islands were named when a Spanish expedition commanded by explorer Francisco de Eliza charted the islands in 1791. He named them Isla y Archipelago de San Juan. The expedition sailed under the authority of the Viceroy of Mexico, Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo.

• Eliza named several places for him, including Orcas Island, whose name is a shortened version of "Horcasitas," not the black-and-white whale. 
• Lopez Island is named after Gonzalo López de Haro, one of the officers under Eliza's command. Haro Strait, bordering the west side of San Juan Island, and Roche Harbor's Hotel de Haro are also named after him.
• Members of several Coast Salish tribes had already inhabited these islands for thousands of years by 1791, the time of the Spanish expedition. The inland marine sea surrounding the San Juan Islands is called the Salish Sea and named after those earliest inhabitants, the Coast Salish people. Puget Sound (named after Peter Puget, an officer in the British Royal Navy), is one geographic component of the Salish Sea, as are all the straits within the sea, such as Rosario, Haro, Juan de Fuca, and Georgia straits.

Find out how Friday Harbor got its name.

"Are you allowed to stay here at night when they close the island?" My response? "No. The prison work release boat picks us all up at midnight."

"We came over on the ferry but would like to drive back. Where's the bridge?" My coworker responded, "Right behind the train station."

"Will you store my fish for 10 days?" (Local tip: You may be able to find a short-term freezer locker at Ron's Island Meats.)

"What elevation are we at?" (Asked at the ferry landing)