Family Travel to San Juan Island, Washington USA
Activities for Kids and Adults on a Pacific Northwest Island
May 5, 2009
Just off the coast of Washington State and not far from British Columbia in the Puget Sound, the San Juan archipelago’s 172 islands lure vacationers with whale watching, sea kayaking, hiking, beach combing, biking and fishing. San Juan Island offers the most activities of these pastoral islands.
Friday Harbor for Whale Museum, Whale Watching
The ferry arrives several times daily from Seattle or Anacortes, Washington, and Sidney, B.C. (just north of Victoria) to this historic seaport. The Friday Harbor Ice Cream Company, next to the ferry dock, offers 72 flavors. The Toy Box, a large toy store on nearby Front Street, will be hard for kids to pass by. Tweens and teens enjoy the small shopping area with souvenir shops next to the ferry.
The Whale Museum is just a block from the ferry terminal and features a phone booth with whale and dolphin songs, dress-up area for whale and salmon wanna-bes, comparison of whale and human brains and bones, and a video about orca (killer) whales. Take a whale watch excursion from Friday Harbor, or travel nine miles west to Lime Kiln Point State Park (aka Whale Watch Park) to view these huge mammals in their natural habitat.
Roche Harbor Offers Sea Kayaking and Whales
On the northern tip of San Juan Island, 10 miles from Friday Harbor, the historic town of Roche Harbor offers a dock for seaplanes just outside its marina. Many whale watching tours depart from Roche Harbor. Sea kayak in Roche Harbor’s sheltered, calm waters with San Juan Outfitters in the three nearby National Wildlife Refuges. Family kayak tours let kids look for seals and otters while teaching everyone how to paddle.
Roche Harbor’s rich history comes alive at the Colors Ceremony held evenings during summer. The flags of Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. are lowered at sunset as each national anthem is played, topped off by a cannon salute. Dine at McMillins, with excellent harbor views, or the Lime Kiln Café at the end of the wharf. The Wescott Bay Sculpture Park, just outside of Roche Harbor, features more than 100 sculptures on its 19 acres.
English Camp and American Camp
At opposite ends of the island, two national historical parks – English Camp and American Camp – tell the story of a pig that nearly caused a battle. Both camps features visitor centers, historic buildings, tours and hiking. English Camp has military re-enactments each Saturday during summer reminiscent of life in 1861. The larger American Camp’s 1,200 acres of prairie and forest also boasts five miles of beach and views of whales, porpoises, seals and sea lions.
From American Camp, hike through fir, hemlock and cedar trees to beaches at Grandma’s Cove or Jakle’s Lagoon. Jakle’s shallow lagoon has plenty of driftwood and logs as well as marine life. Grandma’s Cove offers fine sand and tidepools.
San Juan Island is an ideal family vacation spot for those looking for adventure, relaxation and a slower pace in the pristine San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest. Adventures from kayaking and whale watching to visiting historic seaports and parks offer something for everyone.
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