Hello, I’m planning on moving to the San Juan Islands in 2026 (from Tennessee!) and I’m doing all of my research now and compiling lists of local resources now so I can know what to expect when I actually move there. (And planning a trip out there in 2025 to get more acquainted with the islands too.) I’ve been researching the ferries and fare and I read that you can use the ORCA card for WSF. Is that true? I go to Atlanta for DragonCon and have a MARTA pass to load money on for fare, is that how it would work for the ferries?

I’ve seen the monthly passes too. Just trying to compare the available options! ☺️

TIYA!

Hi there. We are staying on Orcas Island November 11-15. We have a car. Any suggestions for events, places to see or any tours in particular?

Hi. Our trip to Orcas Island is almost here! We will be there the week of November 10. Does anyone have recommendations for any currently open worthwhile restaurants?

How about things to do for people who have never been there. We usually go to Hawaii in Nov/Dec, but I always wanted to see the San Juans. I know it is a cooler, more wet, quieter time of year. We are okay with that. We both love nature and seafood.

Thanks!

Wanted to see if anyone has any insights into what it’s like to work as a carpenter on lopez. Been considering the move for a while. I’m currently a finish carpenter (union) making around 100k plus benefits in the seattle area. Is there any hope of making that as a carpenter on any of the islands? Have experience running jobs, wouldn’t mind owning my own business if that’s a better route than being employed by a company. Appreciate any and all responses and perspectives. Thanks.

Don't let your children do this.

Minus tide at Rolfe Cove on Matia. The ramp is a little steep.

Main concourse at Roche Harbor. This image is not special, what is interesting though is that the day after it was taken the new and for sale 70 foot boat (2nd or 3rd on left) burned and sank at the dock.

This fella is looking for a handout on Jones Island.

Water taxi dropping a fare at Blakely Island

Our 2023 cruise around the islands was a one week laid back visit. We launched at Deception Pass Park and went to favorite places. If you are contemplating a cruise, I invite you to visit the website www.sailingthesanjuans.com. You will find twenty-five years of pictures and reviews we have collected while hiking, biking and boating.

This lady was bedded down beside the trail on Jones Island. I knelt down and took her picture from about two feet. I then thanked her and quietly left. What a special moment.

This pup may have lost its mom. It spent the day and night alone on the beach at Matia, we called the lost pup hotline.

High tide marker?

https://preview.redd.it/0j9wgkt166vd1.png?width=1600&format=png&auto=webp&s=fae02d499b413bcd554565dc1c78d20df198b8b0

Apparently the Glenwood Springs chinook hatchery has been around for 40 years and is located a mile outside or Moran state park. I have come to the island hundreds of times over the past 10 years and never knew this! Pretty neat.

Is it too cold or rainy to visit in mid Dec? Is everything open? I've got a week off and trying to find a good vacation for my wife and dog.

We’ll be in town this weekend, where in Friday Harbor (or anywhere on SJI, really) would you go to have dinner and watch the Kraken game?

Hey y’all. We’re looking to take our thunderbird out this offseason. I suspect we’ll need some keel grinding and other prep work and paint.
Anyone know anyone knowledgeable who likes to help; for hire?

Sometimes you stop and take the picture when nature reminds you of the beauty of the island.

I am planning a trip to Orcas Island in October, and am debating reserving a spot on a ferry for my car or just relying on taxis while there. It's about $100 roundtrip for me to reserve a spot and bring my own car, I'm not sure if that will be cheaper than just taking taxis. Going to be in East Sound for the weekend, so it would basically just be transport to/from the ferry terminal on the southern part of the island. Also if anyone knows any cool places for me to visit there! Thanks so much!

Hello,

My family and I are taking a trip soon and we will be staying on Guemes for a few days. My kids are 8 and 12. Does anyone have any recommendations on things to do on the island? Good nature spots to take the kids? Any areas where tidepooling is possible?

Hi there! My troop of four Girl Scout Cadettes (ages 12-13) are planning a trip for June 2025 using the money they have saved from cookie sales over the years. All the girls are meeting with a destination they have researched and budgeted, and my daughter is pitching a trip to the San Juan Islands. What recommendations would you have for this group - four girls and two to four adults - for four nights in the Islands? Orca watching is top of the list, and outdoor activities like hiking and water play (kayaking or boating) would be great. Would love to hear your specific ideas. Thanks so much!

Edit: Ignore the word "commute" in the title, let's say a trip every 1-2 weeks.

Either I have lost my touch on googling or this isn't a thing people do. My wife and I are interested in moving to one of the Islands. We are both avid hikers so we'd like to be able to get to the penninsula (and the Olympics). I see that the Ferry is seasonal and expensive. If we were to buy a power boat (say, a used 30' Sea Ray or similar), couldn't we just boat over to Port Townsend? Is that something people do regularly? Is it practical?

We may just end up moving to the peninsula, but would prefer one of the islands if possible.

As you can probably guess, I am not a boater, yet.

Thanks!

Just passed a large Nat Geo research boat off Pelican beach on Cypress. Anyone have any leads on what they might be doing here? Thanks!

Hello, is there anyone who tunes pianos in the islands? This is for a Yamaha grand in particular that’s a little out of tune!

I’m staying on Whidbey Island for 4 days 2nd week of October. How dumb of an idea is it to spend a single day on San Juan Island. if I’m reading these posts correctly, the ferries will make it not workable.