Orcas Island, Washington {USA}

E and I visited the San Juan Islands for our summer vacation two Augusts ago. Although we had both visited the main San Juan Island with Friday Harbor before, him as a Washington native, me with my parents during high school, neither of us had ever been to Orcas Island.

Although we planned more time in Friday Harbor, we ended up loving Orcas Island much more, although San Juan Island has it’s own charm (and a camel. Seriously. Look it up!).

It has all the charm of the island life found in Friday Harbor, but it’s smaller, prettier and just cuter (not to mention a wee bit less expensive). If you ever make your way to Washington, go out of your way to see Orcas. We were so lucky in the weather, and it made the views just incredible, but the one day it DID rain was very charming, as well! It IS the Pacific Northwest, after all, so be smart and expect rain :).

Read on for some tips! (And, if I ever have that someday wedding, it might end up being on Orcas…so if you’re a diligent reader, I’ll invite ya, and you might NEED these tips!)

IF YOU VISIT…

Stay at the Rosario Inn and Spa, which has lovely grounds and an amazing pool (see the photo below), not to mention the view. It’s not in the main town of Orcas Island (Eastsound) but you will likely have a car on the ferry, so it’s not hard to get to. We took a ferry from Anacortes, Washington, which run regularly to both Orcas Island and San Juan Island (and a few of the smaller islands, as well) and we were so glad we brought our car to best enjoy the island! We saw several others biking around, too, which also would be a great way to explore! (If you don’t mind hills!)

{the view from our lovely room / the grounds at Rosario / the perfect pool}

Eat at this amazing pie shop. We split a mini chicken pot pie and a piece of lemon pie and both were mouth-watering. This is saying a lot, as I am not a pie girl. I especially am not a crust fan, but I made a delicious exception at Passionate for Pies. For breakfast, visit the Island Skillet, and  make sure to try the shrimp/cream cheese/avocado scramble! To. die. for.

Hike at Moran State Park. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Vancouver, Canada. August is a great time to visit the typically rainy island…just look at the pictures below!

{us at the top of the Park / on the way up / look at that view! / apparently you can see all the way up to Vancouver from here! / the lovely forested road of Orcas / from the little building at the top}

Whale watch from one of the many tour boats available on the island. (We took the tour available at the Rosario, but there are many more).  Whale watching has always been a dream of mine, and after several unsuccessful days on San Juan Island attempting to see them, and a day-long kayak tour, we were FINALLY successful off of Orcas. (We saw an elephant seal and sea lions, as well!) Full disclosure: I cried when I saw the whales. That’s supposed to happen when a dream comes true, am I right?

{sunset from the boat! / a very happy dude / I can’t get enough of these views / sea lions! / can you spot the Orca??}