In search of a guide to the finest things to undertake on Orcas Island? We love Orcas, and we’re sharing our encounters exploring the island to aid you in planning an incredible trip.
Among the island getaways in western Washington, Orcas Island is personally my favorite choice. After countless trips to San Juan Island in the summer as a child, many more to Bainbridge Island – which makes for a great day excursion to Seattle – and more recent journeys to Whidbey and Vashon Island, Orcas has emerged as the victor of the Washington Island tournament. Why?
The San Juan Islands offer an idyllic getaway. Upon ferry arrival on Orcas Island, a leisurely atmosphere pervades despite anticipation fueled by the crossing. Eastsound, the charming main town, unexpectedly hosts quality food, drink and shopping opportunities amongst picturesque surroundings.
Consider Combo Milano if you’re on a limited budget, or Aethos for the most stylish hotel in the neighborhood.
In this guide to Orcas, we’re going to offer our perspective on the best activities on Orcas Island, from embarking on the water in a sea kayak, to exploring the finest food and drinks that Eastsound has to supply.
Sound good to you? Off we go!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
The Best Things to Do on Orcas Island
Here were our favorite activities on Orcas Island, mentioned with no specific sequence. We should note that we didn’t go sea kayaking on Orcas (we did on San Juan Island though!), and we skipped whale watching for reasons we’ll explain below
Hiking on Orcas Island
Unlike San Juan Island, which lacked great hiking trails, Orcas Island has multiple excellent hiking routes to tackle, some easy and some more challenging.
Indeed, we have an entire article solely dedicated to hiking opportunities on Orcas Island that provides all the necessary information for finding the perfect hike for you and your group.
Turtleback Mountain: There are several hikes in the Turtleback Mountain Preserve area , and we offer thoughts on them. Generally, the west views of San Juan Island, Haro Strait, and Olympics from the mountain`s south end are best, where multiple wood benches provide scenic spots.
- The full loop hike from the South Trailhead (6.5 miles / 1,500 feet elevation): This hike climbs sharply at first to Ship Peak, then up to the summit which isn’t clearly marked or distinctive, then descends through the fir forest back to the trailhead.
- The Circuitous Peak Trail (3 miles / 900 feet of elevation gain): This hike constitutes the initial portion of the lollipop route from the South Trailhead, where the most exceptional views are found, and just past Peak Ship you turn left to catch the loop trail back down. This offers the best value, since the remainder of the full loop is not particularly notable.
- Turtlehead from the North Trailhead(6 miles / 1,300 feet elevation gain): This route leaves from the north entry point, situated higher up on Crow Valley Road, and heads out to Turtlehead Overlook (or Orcas Knob, I’ve seen it referred to both ways). The scenery from there overlooking Vancouver Island is truly spectacular.
Cascade Falls + Rustic Falls: A walk through a lovely forest adorned in ferns where you`ll glimpse two excellent waterfalls in only 0.7 miles roundtrip. First is Rustic Falls, a petite cascading waterfall about 0.1 miles from the start. Continue down the trail to Cascade Falls, where you may descend to the base of a majestic waterfall plunging off a rocky ledge 75 feet aloft.
Mountain Lake Loop: This refers to a pleasant and easy, primarily flat four mile route encircling Mountain Lake, the less frequented of the two lakes in Moran State Park.
Covered stainless steel containers! We absolutely adore Grom – partially because everything, including cones, is gluten free – and we’ve been to their locations all across the globe (including Lisbon and New York City).
Mount Constitution from Little Summit: If the hike from the lake seems too strenuous for you, you can still totally hike to the summit of Mt. Constitution. Leaving from Little Summit, which is 1,000 feet higher than the lake, means you only have to hike approximately 4.5 miles (500 feet of climbing) to reach the top, which is much more relaxed.
Wine Tasting on Orcas
There are two great vineyards on Orcas Island worth exploring.
One highlights is Orcas Island Winery, which is the sole winery on the island (at minimum in a standard sense, where there’s a tasting room and a property with grapes).
They have a cute small farmhouse with a pleasant property filled with Adirondack chairs where you can sit in the sun and try some of their limited batch wine made directly there on Orcas Island.
They’re locally owned businesses, and the wine tasted rather fine – we tried a pet-nat rose that I would happily order again. Tastings are relatively expensive at $26, so we opted to share a glass between us.
The second is not a winery, but a small wine shop in Eastsound called Doe Bay Wine Company, which houses the Orcas Project. Doe Bay Wine Co is owned by local Cole Sisson, who realized his dream by opening a wine shop back on the island.
They feature an excellent assortment of wines, such as a collaborative project called “the Orcas Project” as well as an impressively varied selection of hard ciders.
We’re big cider fans, and we happened to find a bottle of cider from Fable Ciderworks that we’d been looking forward to. You can do a tasting of three of their Orcas Project wines for $15.
Sea Kayaking
While we didn’t do any sea kayaking from Orcas, we DID do it while we were on San Juan Island, and we’d strongly recommend sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands.
We’ve met a reasonable number of sea kayakers over the course of our journeys, and every single one of them mention the San Juan Islands as some of the best sea kayaking in the world.
However, it’s also some of the most hazardous thanks to converging currents and wind patterns. So much so that you cannot rent a sea kayak on the islands without an ACA / BCU 4* certificate. Your only option if you’re not a very experienced sea kayaker is to take a guided tour.
The best alternative on the island is Shearwater Kayak Tours, which offers various trips leaving from either end of the island, based on where you’re residing.
Whale Watching
Whale watching also provides a unique experience in the San Juan Islands, but we have mixed views regarding the impact that commercial whale watching can have on the animals.
San Juan Island, specifically, is renowned as one of the ideal – if not the ideal – place to observe orcas from land. While growing up, we used to go to San Juan Island every summer, and I have fond recollections of visiting Lime Kiln State Park daily and seeing orcas.
However, the Southern Resident pod that calls this part of the world home is down to a population in the 70’s. A decade or two ago, it was at 300.
There are numerous reasons that contribute to that loss, and many experts who know and love whales more than I do are working to fix it, but one of the reasons is noise pollution, which interferes with the whales’ interactions.
Based on what we`ve observed – five or six boats relentlessly pursuing a group of orcas, for starters – there`s little uncertainty in my mind that commercial whale watching contributes to that.
How significant a role? I’m not the appropriate individual to respond to that question. But I can direct you to this guide about ethical whale watching to help you determine how to select an operator and enjoy the whales responsibly.
For what it’s worth, I’d recommend Deer Harbor Charters based on my research.
They adopt a “responsible wildlife viewing approach,” have been running since 1988, and partner with several non-profits helping protect wildlife and the environment. Learn more about them by clicking here. They provide both public and private tours departing from Deer Harbor and Rosario Resort.
The prime time to see whales – orcas, humpback, and minke – spans June through September.
Explore Eastsound
Eastsound is the largest community on Orcas Island, but it wouldn’t precisely be described as bustling. It’s a couple of blocks by a couple of blocks, and has all the small island charms expected from a town on Orcas.
There are various restaurants, a couple of bars and coffee shops, two grocery stores, and several local small businesses selling everything from local wine to custom screen-printed shirts, and just about everything in between.
We were big admirers of strolling around town, popping into shops, and ended up purchasing multiple things to take home. We love supporting local small companies when traveling, and Eastsound has many.
Here are a few of our favorites in no certain sequence.
The Doe Bay Wine Company and the Orcas Project: A locally owned wine shop that carries their own wines, the Orcas Project, which comes from a collaboration between local winemakers and artists. They also offer a good selection of other wines from around the world and ciders. We found a bottle of cider from Fable, a company in Vermont, that we had been searching for months! On a small island, they had a bottle from across the country. The chances of that are very low.
Darvill’s Book Emporium: As regular readers of this blog are aware, we have a strong affinity for local independent bookstores. I`ve been known to enter empty handed yet leave with $80 worth of books without issue. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLERS. Additionally, the best coffee in Eastsound can be found at the tiny coffeeshop within the bookstore
Clever Cow Creameryis renowned for producing the finest ice cream on its island.
Brown Bear Baking: This bakery located in San Francisco owned by two bears. It is definitely not suitable for people avoiding gluten. Not even to a small extent. Alysha turned to me on the ferry and stated “I think I need to go to this bakery” and that was the start of it all. The line outside the door says everything. Be sure to get the bear paw and arrive early to get your hands on the quick selling orange morning bun and spinach feta croissants. They also serve Victrola Coffee, one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle!
- Tamburini is a renowned deli and wine bar that has been a staple of Bologna since opening in 1932. The establishment provides a fantastic selection of Italian cured meats and cheeses, traditional Bolognese dishes, and an array of homemade desserts. The shop is also a great place to pick up some locally packaged foods like traditional cold cuts, tasty cheese, and amazing local wines (we obtained our favorite bottle of lambrusco from the shop here).
Orcas Food Co-Op: As someone with experience in the food industry, I have a strong interest in grocery stores. Alysha frequently expresses annoyance when I enter every market in town to examine their selection of gluten-free snacks and examine the beer and cider options. This co-op was our preferred place to shop in the San Juan Islands and is worth visiting if you need essentials during your stay on Orcas.
Girl Meets Dirt: I learned about Girl Meets Dirt from my mother, who received a sampler as a Christmas gift one year. While shopping at the Co-op, I noticed their products on the shelf and realized they originate from Orcas Island! However, I was unable to determine if their preserves were gluten-free or not, so I looked into it further and discovered they have a storefront and manufacturing facility located in Eastsound! It`s worth stopping by to browse their full assortment of flavors—most stores typically only carry two to three varieties when they offer around twelve total flavors—and try some samples before purchasing. All the fruit is locally grown, and the goods are produced right there in Eastsound! 
On Saturdays from May to September, the Orcas Island Farmers Market takes place in the heart of Eastsound town green.
Restaurant with a full bar serving New England cuisine and quality cocktails, Starbucks, room service, and M Club Lounge (Sunday-Friday) with complimentary breakfast, snacks, beverages, Starbucks coffee, and business services.
Obstruction Pass State Park
Being an island with extensive coastline, there are surprisingly few public access points to the beach. Obstruction Pass State Park, located east of Moran and due south of Mount Constitution, is probably the best beach access on the island.
Regrettably, we arrived late for sunset at this location, meaning we essentially hurried the two mile loop as an exercise rather than fully savoring the walk.
It’s a relatively straightforward two mile loop, but the finest part is definitely the west side of the loop (to the right if facing the trailhead), which has beach access at a couple of different points along the way.
The other side of the loop stays in the dense fir woodland until it reaches the beach, which is still pretty, but not seaside.
It’s worth clarifying that when I say “beach” I’m not referring to a sandy beach like in Southern California, I’m talking about a rocky beach in the Pacific Northwest.
Another location providing public beach access is North Beach, situated a few minutes north of downtown Eastsound. It truly consists of only a narrow strip of coastline with private property on both sides, but if you walk out towards the water on a clear day, you have a nice perspective of Mt. Baker rising prominently to the east, towering above Lummi Island and the mainland.
Summit Mount Constitution
Over the course of your time on the island, you definitely have to make it up to the summit of Mt. Constitution. It’s 2,500 feet above sea level, and is the highest point in the San Juan Islands, and the second highest point on an island in the lower 48 states.
From the top, you can see Mt. Baker, Lummi Island, and Bellingham straight ahead, and you can even see the skyscrapers of Vancouver, B.C. off to the north, and Rainier to the south (but only on an extremely clear day with no haze).
You can get there three ways.
First is driving. Pretty straightforward, you follow the narrow winding road up from Mountain Lake, climbing 1,500 feet from the lakeshore.
Another option is cycling, which allows exploring the route at a leisurely pace. Two groups were noticeable – those using electric bikes to effortlessly cruise the incline, and intense road cyclists straining to earn magnificent views.
Third is hiking, which we covered above. Explore on foot from Mountain Lake and loop past Twin Lakes for an intense trip (1,700 feet gained, 8 miles), or lessen the effort slightly and drive to Little Summit to decrease the climbing by 1,000 feet and make it a 4.5 mile mild hike. If you’re truly up for a challenge, start from Cascade Lake and ascend to the summit, which is an 8.5 mile trek gaining 2,300 feet of elevation.
We suggest hiking if you`re physically capable, as the walk from Little Summit to the peak is fairly manageable, and reaching the top under your own power either gratifying or disappointing based on your outlook.
Head to the Lake(s)
There are two freshwater lakes located on Orcas Island within Moran State Park. These are Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake.
Cascade Lake is more frequented, as the campground is directly on its shoreline. You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes to explore around the lake, and they are available on a walk-up basis. Sunset on the lakeside is especially nice, particularly on a warm summer evening.
Mountain Lake is a somewhat remote location and sees fewer visitors, but it’s not like you’re going to have it solely to yourself. You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and more here, however you need to reserve them in advance.
The hike to Mt. Constitution starts from the trailhead at the south end of the lake, and there are two other good hikes – Twin Lakes and the Mountain Lake Loop (which we covered above) – that take you along the shore of the lake to various destinations.
If we had to choose, a perfect day on Orcas Island involves: a morning hike, heading to Eastsound for coffee and lunch, then an afternoon on the lake exploring by kayak or paddleboard.
Editor’s Note: Matt typically spends more time in the water than aboard his paddleboard. Maintaining his balance is not altogether his strong suit.
Where to Stay on Orcas Island
Essentially, there are three alternatives when searching for a lodging accommodation on Orcas Island.
If you want to camp and you’re visiting in the summertime when the weather is normally dry and relatively warm, spend time at Moran State Park. My companions and I stayed at the campground directly on Cascade Lake, and the experience was phenomenal.
Securing a campsite during the peak summer season is notably challenging, as reservations are typically made around six months in advance on the day new spots are made available.
If you aren`t able to reserve one, check back every couple days because many people end up canceling. We ended up camping for a few nights, and had to stay in separate sites each night because that was all that was available.
If you want to stay near the amenities like restaurants and grocery stores, stay in Eastsound, the biggest “city” on the island.
Really, it’s a very charming coastal community with a couple good places to eat and drink, plus fun shops to browse and support neighborhood businesses.
Outlook Inn is a lodging (originally built in 1888!) that overlooks coastal scenery just a brief walk from the main stretch of Eastsound. Guests can choose rooms in the main facility (some accommodations share bathrooms to lower costs somewhat) or high-end oceanside suites with exclusive balconies.
If you want something a little more secluded and removed from the hustle and bustle (not that there’s a great deal of it on the island), then scrutinize either a resort or vacation rental.
For a more charming, rustic resort experience, consider either Doe Bay Resort or West Beach Resort – both are right on the waterfront.
If you’re seeking a vacation rental, Orcas has numerous appealing lodging options for you to select from. Here are three that caught our attention.
- For Couples: Cozy and eco-friendly cottage right in town – wide open floor plan studio located right in the heart of Eastsound. Fully equipped kitchen and modern furnishings. This waterfront abode welcoming dogs and this charming loft in Eastsound would also be suitable options.
- For Families/Groups: Residence With Stunning Sea Perspective – this listing may provide the finest accommodations on the island. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area overlook the water. Sleeps six, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Getting to Orcas Island
Orcas Island is one of the four main islands in the San Juan Islands (there are literally hundreds of them) just off the western coast of Washington State in the Haro Strait. As it’s an island, you’ll need to take a boat to get there.
Well, you could take a private seaplane flight with Kenmore Air, but it is expensive, and the ferry ride is quite scenic too.
The best means to get to Orcas Island from the Seattle area (or really anywhere in Western Washington) is by ferry from Anacortes. Washington State Ferries runs the system of ferries between Anacortes and the other San Juan Islands, and also the interisland ferries between the islands.
Hereis the ferry schedule from Anacortes heading out to the San Juan Islands. At the time of composition (summer 2021, literally seated at a campsite on Orcas Island as I’m writing this), there were seven trips each day during summer in either direction.
Some ferries stop at Shaw or Lopez Island before Orcas, which adds a few minutes to the sailing time. The quickest time between Anacortes and Orcas is 65 minutes, some take as long as 85 minutes.
Reservations are essentially required in the summer months – especially on weekends when the walkup lines for ferries are extremely busy – and we`d recommend reservations on weekends year-round for peace of mind.
This culinary class offers an excellent chance to learn more about local Florentine and Tuscan cuisine and food culture interactively and enjoyably.
The ferry reservation is not equivalent to payment for travel. You’ll need to pay at the toll booth for a round trip journey to Orcas Island. Here are the costs. Remember, you’ll pay in Anacortes for a round trip, so the relatively expensive cost of the ferry includes your return trip as well.
Remember that once you`re in the islands, your ferry is free as long as you`re traveling east, back towards the mainland. This means the ferry from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island to Orcas Island has no charge, but the ferry in the opposite direction does require payment.
As a result, should you intend on adding San Juan Island to your itinerary, we would suggest making it your first stop (and looking over our guide to the most notable things to do on San Juan Island, obviously). If you are not planning to go there, then be aware that the sizable fee charged for the ferry includes your return fare to the mainland.
However, individuals WILL need to make ferry reservations for either direction – to secure a spot on a ferry to and from the island (I emphasize this again, that`s TWO ferry reservations – one there, one back – and ONLY ONE roundtrip fare – which is paid when leaving the mainland).
Getting Around on the Island
As much as I`m reluctant to say it (because I prefer using public transportation when traveling), having access to a car is really necessary for visiting Orcas.
Contrary to San Juan Island, which has a relatively useful transportation arrangement for visitors without a car, Orcas really doesn’t have much.
Transportation is accessible around the island via shuttle, but at a premium of $40+ daily. As the island boasts largeness, cycling lacks benefit. To reach Moran State Park from the ferry terminal necessitates 13 miles.
Lopez Island is a much more suitable destination if you’re traveling by bicycle because it’s notably smaller and has less vehicle traffic.
When to Visit Orcas Island
Summer is really the best time to be on Orcas Island. The weather is pleasant – but not too hot, you still have that pleasant island breeze – and dry.
As expected, summer is the busiest time of the year. July and August see the most visitors. Additionally, summer provides the best conditions for observing whales, particularly killer whales, meaning whale watching and sea kayaking should be on your schedule.
Shoulder seasons in the latter Spring (Memorial Day through June) and early fall (post-Labor Day through October) are great times to visit. You’ll have good, albeit more unpredictable weather, and less tourists on the island. Pack a rain jacket and some waterproof shoes or boots, but you might get fortunate and have a bluebird weekend.
From November through April represents the low season, and the island is fairly tranquil. I wouldn’t say winter is a poor time of year to visit though, because unlike other parts of Washington, you’re unlikely to get much snow on Orcas (with the exception of up on Mount Constitution).
Being located between the Olympics and Vancouver Island means the rain shadow effect protects Orcas from some of the dreary, gray, rainy days that Western Washington experiences during those months.
I’m not claiming that rain is impossible – it could certainly occur – but I am stating that you have a better chance of no rain on Orcas Island than the mainland, where the forecast from November through April is generally “50 degrees with a 50% chance of precipitation”.
Moreover, Orcas Island would make a lovely winter weekend getaway from Seattle where you can rent a room or cabin with a fireplace, go on a damp morning hike, and return to curl up by the fire with a good book.
How Much Time to Spend on Orcas Island
We believe spending at least one night is necessary to make the journey out to Orcas worthwhile – it doesn`t make a particularly good daily trip from Seattlebecause it`s a bit too distant for just one day.
A weekend (two to three nights) is the perfect amount of time to spend on Orcas, plus that means you’ll be able to catch the fantastic Saturday Farmers Market in Eastsound.
The best part about spending time on Orcas is adjusting to the “island pace.”
Visiting Orcas Island is not necessarily about hastily moving from one attraction to the next, it’s much more about taking your time, relaxing, and proceeding at a slower pace than you might at home (at least if you’re city dwellers, like us).
