Orcas Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Orcas Island showing a lake or waterhole and landscape views
Orcas Island featuring street scenes
Orcas Island which includes mountains, landscape views and forest scenes
Orcas Island
Orcas Island featuring landscape views, views and forests

Green mountains and freshwater lakes, wildlife spotting, hiking and cycling trails all make for a memorable vacation in the Emerald Isle. 

Orcas Island is the largest island of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Washington State. Orcas is so lush it is known as the Emerald Isle. Visit Orcas Island to enjoy its combination of mountains and lakes, wildlife spotting and sea adventures, peaceful villages and island art.

Most of this horseshoe-shaped island is rural and hilly, with scenic roads weaving through verdant forests and orchards and passing hamlets and villages. The roads are a pleasure for drivers and a rewarding challenge for cyclists. Start in Eastsound, the island’s largest village. Learn about island history at the Orcas Island Historical Museum, shop for fresh produce and handicrafts at a farmers market or visit the galleries of local artists.

Rent a boat at Deer Harbor and visit the neighbouring San Juan Islands. Visit a pottery workshop or pull fresh oysters and clams from the water at Olga. Rejuvenate the body with yoga classes and spa treatments at Doe Bay.

Orcas Island offers adventure opportunities for all levels of fitness, including hiking, cycling, fishing and boating. Visit the 5,200-acre (2,100-hectare) Moran State Park, where over 30 miles (48 kilometers) of trails lead to freshwater lakes, waterfalls and mountain peaks. Hike to the 2,409-feet (734-meter) high Mt. Constitution to enjoy views of the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island. Enjoy picnics and leisurely walks around Cascade Lake then follow trails to viewpoints and nearby Cascade Falls.

Don’t miss out on a whale-watching tour and the chance to spot gray and humpback whales and orcas. April to October is the best period for sightings. Sign up for a sea kayaking excursion and visit the outer islands of the archipelago.

Traveling to Orcas Island is an enjoyable experience. Catch a ferry from Anacortes and take in the remote island scenery on the way to the Orcas Village ferry landing. The island is also served by Orcas Island Airport, which receives flights from Anacortes and Seattle.

Outlook Inn

Outlook Inn

3 out of 5
171 Main St, Eastsound, WA
The price is ₹33,456 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
₹33,456
₹38,208 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Eastsound. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 meeting rooms and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (478 reviews)
"Great bed"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Outlook Inn
Rosario Village

Rosario Village

2 out of 5
1400 Rosario Rd, Eastsound, WA
Fully refundable
The price is ₹24,574 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
₹24,574
₹27,118 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Eastsound. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Rosario Mansion Museum and Cascade Lake are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (60 reviews)
"Enjoyed our peaceful stay at Rosario Village. The room was clean. Great water pressure for the shower."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Rosario Village
Deer Harbor Inn

Deer Harbor Inn

3 out of 5
33 Inn Lane, Deer Harbor, WA
The price is ₹22,600 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
₹22,600
₹24,939 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Deer Harbor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Skull Island State Park and West Sound Marina are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (177 reviews)
"Very clean spacious room, well appointed. Comfy bed. Great selection of tea and coffee. A nice bonus was the nightly bbq on the grounds so you didn’t have to drive to a restaurant unless you wanted something different."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Deer Harbor Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
West Beach Resort

West Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
190 Waterfront Way, Eastsound, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach cabin in Eastsound. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Orcas Island Golf Course and North Beach ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (100 reviews)
"Rustic resort with beautiful sunsets and amenities. We did have someone lurking around our cabin one evening-claimed to be looking for someone who worked at the property. It was very suspicious. He left our place but hung around the resort for some time. I did not report it at the time as no one ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

West Beach Resort
Raintree's Sandcastle

Raintree's Sandcastle

3.5 out of 5
7854 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Blaine. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (504 reviews)
"Friendly staff & clean property! Great pool & family fun."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Raintree's Sandcastle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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