FRIDAY HARBOR
AT THE HEART OF THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE SAN JUANS
The largest town in the San Juan Islands is also its economic, social, and cultural hub, home to more than 2,000 residents and 90 orca whales from April to September. Arrive on a Kenmore Air floatplane, you’ll dock at the marina and walk off the pier and into a lovely downtown with uniquely local shops, museums, and restaurants whose menus are laced with island-sourced ingredients.
It’s 90 miles from Seattle to Friday Harbor, or 50 minutes aboard Kenmore Air compared to a 3-hour, 45-minute ferry ride. If you take one of our flights from Boeing Field, you’ll land at the Friday Harbor Airport, which is less than a mile from downtown. You’ll use every minute you gain whether it’s getting out on the water in a boat or kayak, getting into the water for scuba diving, or visiting the nearby alpaca farm. And we mentioned the whales, right? They’re not the only thing to see here on San Juan Island, but they’re certainly something you don’t want to miss.
FLOATPLANE
You can fly to Friday Harbor Marina from either Kenmore Air Harbor or Lake Union, arriving at the pier aboard one of Kenmore Air’s six-seat de Havilland Beavers or 10-seat Otters. If you’re seeking something more intimate, the Cessna 180 is a two to three passenger floatplane, a most economical charter option. Sorry, no complimentary baggage storage on-site.
LANDPLANE
Kenmore Air Express provides year-round service from Boeing Field with its fleet of Cessna 208 Caravans and Grand Caravans, which accommodate eight to nine passengers. The Pilatus PC-12 turboprop is the newest option in the charter fleet, offering eight seats in a roomy cabin for a quiet and cutting-edge flying experience. Paid parking is available, complimentary on-site bag storage available.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The largest town in the San Juans offers the most lodging choices on the San Juans, everything from the historic exterior and modern interior of the Birdrock Hotel to the view at the Friday Harbor House not to mention plenty of quaint B&Bs like the Juniper Lane guest house and Hillside House. The San Juan Islands visitors bureau offers a great survey of your lodging options.
