10 Things to Do on an Orcas Island Getaway
Orcas has long been one of Seattle’s favorite island getaways. Considered by many to be the jewel of the San Juans, it is a place where time slows down and the frenzy of city living seems worlds away.
Due to its difficult-to-reach location in Washington’s northern Puget Sound, the rugged and laid-back island has struck a delicate balance between development and preservation, tourist dollars and authenticity. It is pricy but not pretentious, touristy but not overcrowded, and pretty but not packed with must-see attractions.
Orcas Island has everything you might want out of a rural retreat, with many of the high quality amenities you can find in a city. It boasts fantastic shopping, tantalizing food, and an artsy community.
For lovers of the outdoors, the opportunities on Orcas are endless.
ORCAS: JEWEL OF THE SAN JUANS
Orcas is one of four islands that make up Washington’s San Juan Islands National Monument. The other three are bike-friendly Lopez Island, tiny Shaw Island, and bustling San Juan Island. With the exception of Shaw, the San Juan Islands have become some of Washington State’s most popular tourist destinations.
In truth, Orcas Island doesn’t have the dramatic jaw-dropping scenery that is typical of many Pacific Northwest destinations. But that doesn’t matter. Because a true Orcas Island getaway isn’t about running from attraction to attraction.
Instead, the island’s most alluring feature is its slow pace of life. A weekend on Orcas is best enjoyed by taking a few moments to admire a sunset, or relishing a glass of wine, or drifting gently along the surface of a placid lake.
THINGS TO DO ON ORCAS ISLAND
Though Orcas only has a handful of must-see attractions, the island is teeming with things to do. Visitors come to Orcas for recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation. It is an outdoor-lovers playground, an art-lover’s paradise, and a serenity-seekers dream.
To make the most out of an Orcas Island getaway, begin your trip with spectacular birds-eye views from the top of Mt Constitution. Then, drive along the island’s spine and stop to visit farms, soak in panoramas, and discover hidden beaches.
From sampling tasty food to hiking the island’s network of trails, the things to do on Orcas Island are as varied as they are enticing.
1. DRIVE ALONG THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS SCENIC BYWAY
The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway connects the various hamlets on Orcas Island. The fragmented byway includes much of San Juan Island and Orcas Island. Its portion on Orcas Island showcases the area’s highlights—including rugged offshore islands, quaint seaside communities, and rocky beaches.
Completing the self-drive island tour is one of the top things to do on Orcas and a fantastic way to interiorize the area’s layout.
The tour begins in Orcas Village, at the ferry landing. The tiny village has a few small shops, a fantastic cidery, and a historic hotel.
Farther up the road, the landscape gives way to the barn-dotted Crow Valley, before reaching Eastsound—a collection of shops and homes situated at the crux of the island’s horseshoe bend.
Eastsound is Orcas’ largest community and commercial hub. The small town has a handful of lodging options, shops and restaurants.
Beyond Eastsound, the byway leads to Moran State Park, the village of Olga, and Obstruction Pass State Park.
2. SOAK IN THE VIEWS FROM MOUNT CONSTITUTION
In 1911 Robert Moran donated a chunk of his property to create a sprawling state park on Orcas Island’s eastern saddlebag. The park is one of the most beloved features on Orcas Island and, without a doubt, its finest attraction. At the center of the park lies Mount Constitution—the highest point in the San Juan Islands National Monument.
On a clear day, driving or hiking to the top of Mount Constitution is undisputedly the top thing to do on Orcas Island. From its summit, Mount Constitution boasts views that extend across the sound to Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Olympic National Park. In the foreground, a handful of tree-carpeted islands float like emerald jewels in a sapphire ocean.
In 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corp built a 53 ft observation tower for birds-eye views over the Puget Sound. When Dan and I visited Orcas, however, the tower was unfortunately cordoned off to due to the Coronavirus.
Nonetheless, we relished the views from the summit of Mt Constitution and enjoyed identifying some of the Pacific Northwest’s beloved towns and landscapes from above.
3. CHASE WATERFALLS IN MORAN STATE PARK
Though Mount Constitution is its most renowned and spectacular landmark, Moran State Park is home to a number of smaller treasures that are also worth exploring. The state park has an abundance of hiking trails and a handful of small waterfalls scattered about its emerald forest.
The most notable—Cascade Falls—tumbles delicately over a 40 foot drop in the heart of the state park.
Dan and I only spent about half an hour hiking along the forested trails of Moran State Park. However, travelers with more time on Orcas can enjoy nearly 40 miles of crisscrossing pathways.
4. HIKE TURTLEBACK MOUNTAIN
Turtleback Mountain lies on the western end of Orcas Island. Like Mount Constitution, it showcases beautiful views of the Puget Sound and snow-capped Olympic Mountains. Unlike the highest point in the San Juan Islands, however, it is still a relatively untrodden nature reserve.
In fact, hiking Turtleback Mountain proved to be a highlight of our weekend getaway. Not only is it one of the top things to do on Orcas Island, but we found that we were able to enjoy its nature trails and panoramic views with only a handful of other people in sight.
An 8-mile network of trails spans the turtle-shaped mountain’s “back,” connecting the preserve’s north and south trailheads. The hiking trails reveal views of the pastoral Crow Valley, and the sailboat-speckled Salish Sea. A one-mile offshoot from the main trail leads to stunning views from atop the Turtlehead Preserve.
Turtleback’s trails range from abandoned logging roads to narrow paths that meander through open meadows. They are perfectly suitable for hikers walking their dogs or traveling with kids.
5. GO ON A WHALE-WATCHING TOUR
Whale-watching is one of the top things to do on Orcas Island. The Puget Sound is a year-round habitat for magnificent orca whales, and the northwest corner of Washington is one of the best places in the world to see them in the wild.
From April through early October, whale sightings are almost guaranteed. Popular whale-watching tours include Deer Harbor Charters and Orcas Island Eclipse Charters.
Though Dan and I did not choose to go whale-watching while visiting Orcas Island, we hope to see the magnificent animals during a future visit to the San Juan Islands.
6. EXPLORE EASTSOUND VILLAGE
The historic village of Eastsound—Orcas Island’s quaint downtown—lies fifteen minutes from the ferry dock, in the center of the island. Nestled above Fishing Bay, the walkable village bustles with life.
For travelers who are less inclined to partake in outdoor activities, Eastsound has a handful of cute artisan shops, boutiques, and eateries. It is home to the mouthwatering (albeit pricey) Brown Bear Pastry Company, a fantastic little food co-op, and a small history museum.
Just north of downtown, Eastsound features a village green with an outdoor stage that hosts music and theater performances, community events, and a weekly farmers’ market.
Eastsound’s scenic location, thriving artsy community, and quaint friendly shops, make it a popular tourist destination and one of the top places to visit on Orcas Island.
7. RELAX ON THE BEACH AT OBSTRUCTION PASS STATE PARK
Obstruction Pass lies on the southeastern tip of Orcas Island, across the water from Obstruction and Blakely Islands. The park is home to a walk-in campsite and the best public access beach on Orcas.
Though it doesn’t boast soft sands typical of most paradise islands, the beach at Obstruction Pass State Park is perfect for swimming and paddle boarding. With calm waters and a pebbled shoreline that remains relatively secluded in a sheltered cove, it is a quiet place to bring a picnic and spend an afternoon.
8. KAYAK OR PADDLE BOARD
Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in the Puget Sound, and a top thing to do when visiting Orcas. The island is home to two large lakes and a stunning seashore that boasts a number of jewel-like offshore islands. Boat rentals on Orcas are plentiful and available at most of the island’s popular kayaking destinations—including Cascade Lake, Obstruction Pass, Crescent Beach and Deer Harbor.
As with whale-watching, we chose to skip kayaking in the San Juan Islands based on the fact that we had limited time to explore the area.
9. SHOP FOR ART AND POTTERY
Orcas Island is a popular destination for art-lovers. As with the southern end of Whidbey Island, the area’s serene and beautiful surroundings have attracted creatives and dreamers. Consequently, shopping for island-inspired artwork is a popular Orcas activity.
Orcas Island Pottery is a favorite destination for art lovers and a shining examples of the San Juan Islands’ artistic tradition. First opened in 1945, it is the oldest pottery in the Pacific Northwest.
Nearby, art and shopping enthusiasts can enjoy the beautiful creations at Crow Valley Pottery, established in 1959.
On the east side of Orcas Island, Artworks in Olga offers one of the finest selections of local art in the San Juan Islands. The co-op represents forty-five Orcas Island artists who specialize in a variety of crafts—including sculpture, jewelry, painting and woodworking.
10. CATCH THE SUNSET AT CASCADE LAKE
Cascade Lake is the top recreation destination in Moran State Park. The forest-ringed lake is a popular place to paddle board, swim, and kayak. In the evenings, it is an idyllic place to head down to the beach and watch the sunset light up the sky.
Dan and I spent two nights at Moran State Park’s lakeside campground. And each night, we enjoyed watching the sun paint the skies in a fiery palette of pinks and oranges.
The lake lies adjacent to the Moran Campground, along the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway.
WHERE TO STAY ON ORCAS ISLAND
Orcas Island has a diverse array of places to stay. The island’s accommodation options range from camping, to resorts, to boutique hotels. Campsites on Orcas Island can be found at Moran State Park and Obstruction Pass. Though Dan and I stumbled across a last minute campsite somewhat miraculously, tent spaces usually fill up months in advance. You can check availability and book a spot on the Washington State Parks website.
For travelers wishing to stay close to the amenities in Eastsound, the Inn at Ship Bay offers convenient proximity to town and unobstructed views over Ship Bay’s glistening waters. The Inn is built around the historic 1869 Adam’s farmhouse, and lies nestled amongst apple and pear trees.
On other parts of the island, the West Beach Resort and Whispering Pines Retreat come highly recommended as well.
As with camping, lodging on Orcas Island tends to fill up quickly—often more than a year in advance.
GETTING TO ORCAS ISLAND
Orcas Island is a place where the pace of life is slower and, ‘island time’ isn’t just an expression. I soon learned that, when traveling to Orcas, I had to throw away my Google Maps estimates and succumb to the unpredictable ferry schedule.
To get to Orcas Island from Seattle, drive north approximately 1.5 hours (depending on traffic). Then, from the ferry dock, you can purchase tickets to any of the four San Juan Islands. The ferry ride to Orcas takes about one hour.
Buying ferry tickets weeks in advance is highly recommended during peak season, but Dan and I showed up early and snagged one of the first few spots in the standby lane.
Due to ferry delays and traffic, the entire journey to and from Seattle took us five hours going, and seven on the return.
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Orcas is a special island. The popular getaway destinations hasn’t yet given in to large-scale tourism and development. It is an idyllic Pacific Northwest escape that is quiet, serene, scenic, and relaxing.
The ferries may be notoriously late and unreliable on Orcas, but that doesn’t matter.
It is all part of the Orcas experience.
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