Roche Harbor Summer Getaway Guide

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Photo by Jack Riley

You don’t have to be a boat lover to enjoy this boater’s paradise. Roche Harbor’s richly preserved history offers nineteenth-century clapboard buildings, old gardens, and incredible sunsets – all perfect for relaxing. Enjoy local seafood, some of the best doughnuts in the Pacific Northwest, and views of the surrounding mountains. 

Whether you arrive by boat or seaplane, be sure to keep an eye out for pods of local orcas. They can frequently be seen playing in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands, especially during the summer months.

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Hiking on Orcas Island

35 Things To Do on Orcas Island in 2025

looking at the view on Orcas Island

Orcas Island has all of the ingredients for a perfect getaway in the Pacific Northwest. There are beautiful lodging options, miles of hiking trails that traverse a rich topography and offer stunning views. You’ll find a plethora of fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine, and locally-crafted libations. 

This isn’t the destination for a fast-paced dance club, though you will find several restaurants and bars host live music nights. But the things to do on Orcas Island are plentiful and rewarding. Artist studios. Golfing. Farmers markets. Clothing optional soaking tubs. The list goes on and on. These are some of our favorites. 

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Downriggers San Juan Island Waterfront Restaurant

San Juan Island Restaurants You Won’t Want to Miss

Downriggers on San Juan Island

Tamed, just enough to be welcoming, San Juan Island is rugged and rural in all the best ways. Thanks to its remote location, chefs aren’t just inclined to source locally, they need to. As a result, San Juan Island is one of the best foodie destinations in the Pacific Northwest. 

Want to maximize your time noshing? Catch a quick and easy flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor Airport, where you can start exploring immediately. 

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Friends enjoying summer on San Juan Island

40 Things To Do On San Juan Island This Summer (2025)

Summer on San Juan Island

Rolling pastoral farmland, rocky shorelines, and windswept hills offer a pristine, sun-filled oasis in the far reaches of the Salish Sea. Here, outdoor activities abound, ranging from thrilling whale watching adventures to brilliant sunset strolls. Among the most popular of the archipelago, you’ll find a plethora of things to do on San Juan Island this summer. Discover some of our favorites!

Looking for the fastest and most scenic way to travel up to San Juan Island from Seattle? Skip the ferry lines and hop aboard a scenic seaplane flight from Lake Washington or Lake Union. Direct flights aboard our wheeled aircraft, Kenmore Air Express, are also available from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor Airport.

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Seaplane docked at Friday Harbor Marina in the San Juans

15 Best Friday Harbor Things To Do (2025)

Seaplane docked at Friday Harbor Marina

Nestled on San Juan Island in Washington, Friday Harbor is a picturesque town exuding coastal charm and historic allure. Framed by scenic harbors and surrounded by lush landscapes, this waterfront gem captivates visitors with its vibrant community and maritime ambiance. Quaint streets are adorned with shops, cafes, and galleries.

Notable sites, such as the historic San Juan County Courthouse and The Whale Museum, showcase the town’s rich heritage. The bustling marina offers whale watching excursions, adding to the town’s allure.

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spring day on Orcas Island

25 Things To Do In The San Juan Islands (2025)

Orcas Island Spring

The San Juan Islands span 172 named islands and reefs, however just three are served by regularly scheduled flights from Seattle; San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island. Best known for their epic views, untouched wildlife, and regionally-inspired cuisine, the San Juans offer a wide range of things to do for families, couples, and friends.

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Kenmore Air Otter and Cattle Point Lighthouse

9 Ways to Get from Seattle to the San Juan Islands

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Kenmore Air de Havilland Otter flying past Cattle Point Lighthouse

Though the quaint archipelago tucked within the Salish Sea is technically part of Washington State, it feels a bit like its own country. Heck, some of its rocky inlets are closer to Canada than they are to the American mainland. But the 172-plus islands in the Olympic Rainshadow don’t require a passport and are relatively easy to access — if you know what you’re doing. 

The following outlines 9 ways to travel from Seattle to the San Juan Islands. But at its most primitive level, there are only two ways to get here: by boat or plane. The nature of being surrounded by water on all sides makes this remote destination exactly that, remote. That’s part of the charm, part of what keeps this paradise a destination worthy of visiting year-round.

And the great news is, whether you’re flying from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor or catching a seaplane from Lake Union to Roche Harbor — the views are endless and check-in is a breeze!

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Friday Harbor Golden Hour. Photo by BrendanHunter

Relaxing Winter Escape to San Juan Island

Friday Harbor Golden. Photo by BrendanHunter

Washington’s gourmet archipelago is undoubtedly known for its sun-filled summer days and fruit-laden farmers markets. But don’t assume this sweet little paradise closes up shop during the winter. While some businesses and residents like to hibernate until spring, there are still plenty of relaxing things to do on San Juan Island during the holidays. 

In fact, visiting the San Juan’s during the winter might even be your favorite! The slower pace and lack of crowds give you more freedom to linger and enjoy your getaway. Not to mention, getting to San Juan Island from Seattle is as easy as catching a 45-minute scenic flight from Boeing Field!

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Top Rainy-Day Activities in the San Juan Islands

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couple on a rainy day in Friday Harbor

Originally Published Dec. 19, 2019 | Updated Nov. 13, 2024

Thanks to being located in the heart of the Olympic Rain Shadow, the San Juan Islands enjoy an average of 270 days with sunshine. But, that doesn’t mean it never rains. The lush forests and fertile farmland are proof that they San Juans get their fair share of drizzle — especially during the cooler months. Luckily, there are a plethora of things to do in the San Juan Islands when it rains.

There are a variety of ways to get from Seattle to San Juan Island and Orcas Island, the fastest and (in our humble opinion) most beautiful way is to fly. We offer regular flights from Boeing Field to Eastsound Airport and Friday Harbor. Seasonally, we also offer seaplane flights from Lake Washington and Lake Union to the San Juan Islands.

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HAVN tubs

Destination-Worthy Self-Care

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HAVN in Victoria

Like chicken soup for the soul, self-care offers the opportunity to relax and recharge. It’s the soothing remedy for a fast-paced life where meetings can pile up and deadlines loom. 

But the practice of self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all. From ocean-side soaking tubs and rejuvenating facials to farm-to-table cuisine, we all need something a bit different. As the summer season tapers into cool crisp days, take a moment to let yourself relax and replenish. Discover some of the best destination-worthy self-care getaways in the San Juans, Victoria, and beyond!

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