Top Destinations
San Juan Island
Friday Harbor • Roche Harbor • Westcott Bay • Garrison Bay
Lopez Island
Fisherman Bay • Spencer Spit • Watmough Bay
Orcas Island
Eastsound • Deer Harbor • Rosario Resort
Plus…
Blakely Island • Sucia Island • Jones Island • Shaw Island • Stuart Island • James Island
Plan Out Your Trip
The San Juans are fully covered in the latest Waggoner Cruising Guide. It provides all you need about marinas, anchorages, passages, and attractions. Plan your day’s route with the guide’s detailed planning maps. Get your copy of the Waggoner Cruising Guide book!
Plus, there’s more to help you plan a great cruise through the San Juan Islands. Read on…
Construction on Stuart & Sucia Islands, San Juans
Two major construction projects are taking place at Stuart and Sucia Island marine state parks in the San Juan Islands under the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Stuart Island. Construction is underway at Stuart Island’s Reid Harbor to replace the...
Protecting Eelgrass Meadows in East Sound, Orcas Island
Dive into the world of eelgrass meadows with us as we explore boating destinations across Washington and British Columbia. Along the way, we’ll hear from local partners who help protect these unique underwater ecosystems. This series is part of the Anchor Out of...
Rosario Harbor on Orcas Island Re-Imagined
In previous years, the Moran Mansion was the singular attraction at Rosario, now the Harbor itself is the center of attraction with multiple amenities and activities. The Harbor Bar & Grill, within steps of the docks, has become a local favorite, and the beautiful...
Vendovi Island Breakwater Restoration
The following is a re-print by permission from the San Juan Preservation Trust regarding funds needed to repair the breakwater at Vendovi Island. Let’s keep this very special and beautiful island accessible for boaters! Your contributions are vital, please read their...
Friends Install Mooring Buoy Mid-line Floats
Friends of the San Juans recently announced that they partnered with Frog Marine to install midline floats on private mooring buoys to help protect eelgrass habitat. A midline float lifts the anchor rode and chain off the seafloor to decrease the damage to eelgrass...
Trap of Delectables or Vision of Land Mines?
It’s the season when fishermen of those tasty treats, the Dungeness Crab with claws that snap, venture out onto the waters of the San Juan Islands to catch their prey. Sitting at home on the dock or at a restaurant, each flake of that buttery tender white-fine threads...
Help Save Vendovi Island Access
Vendovi Island is a 217-acre nature preserve that the San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) has owned and managed since 2010. Public access for boaters is open between April and September at the Island’s North Cove on a dock located behind a rock breakwater. After...
Underwater Whale Detection Expanded – Lime Kiln Point
The Ocean Wise Conservation organization in Vancouver, British Columbia has expanded their underwater microphones, or hydrophones, for the Whale Report Alert System to include the coast off Lime Kiln Point on San Juan Island in Washington State. The area off Lime Kiln...
San Juan Co. Destination Management Plan – Comments Received
In September 2023, San Juan County created a draft of the proposed Destination Management Plan for the San Juan Islands to help fund recreational facilities and manage growing tourism in the Islands. San Juan County began engaging the community and invited the public...
Empower Investing – New Owners of Rosario
Rosario Resort has long been a beloved landmark deeply embedded with sentimental value among the Orcas Island community and among boaters who have introduced their children and children’s children to the beauty of the San Juan Islands. Empower Investing, a Washington...
Celebrating 125 Years – Shaw Island General Store
The Shaw Island General Store is celebrating 125 years of business, serving communities in the San Juan Islands. A walk through the door of the Shaw General Store is like a walk back in time. If ever a store had character, this is the one. Started in 1898, it is one...
New Owners Coming to Rosario Resort
The official closing of the sale of historic Rosario Resort on Orcas Island is set for February 29, 2024. The Barto family of Anacortes listed the 82-acre property for sale in March 2023. In preparation for the sale transaction, operations at the Mansion will be...
San Juan County Tourism – Status Report
The San Juans Destination Management Plan Team would like to thank those who submitted comments regarding the recent draft proposal. The draft is still available for review and the public can still ask questions of the team as noted in their message below: Thank you...
Tourism Management Plan in the San Juan Islands
Tourists have been inundating popular travel destinations worldwide over the last couple of years and this trend is now a hot topic in the news, both locally and abroad. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece now limits the number of visitors allowed per day, and Amsterdam...
Foreign-Flagged Boats in Washington Waters – Did You Know?
Did you know that foreign-flagged vessels (except for Canadian vessels) must have a “pilot” onboard when cruising in Washington waters unless you have applied for and received an exemption from the WA Board of Pilotage Commissioners? A quote from the Pilotage...