The Best Hike in the San Juan Islands is Next Door — and You Can Only Get There by Boat

What is the best hike in the San Juan Islands?

 Many consider the Eagle Bluff Trail to be the best. However, some of the best hikes in the San Juan Islands combine shoreline views, wildlife, and easy access. Trails like those at Lime Kiln Point State Park offer coastal paths with chances to spot orcas, while other island trails provide forest hikes and scenic overlooks, helping visitors choose a rewarding hike based on views, difficulty, and location.

Naming anything as the best is a trifle subjective, and calling the San Juan Islands as only the islands of San Juan County excludes much of our cruising area.

 In fact simply getting your boat to the San Juans requires beginning the journey in Whatcom, or King or Island, or even Swinomish County.  The San Juan ferry terminal is in Skagit County. So cruising the San Juans is not really limited to one teeny group of islands.

That brings us to the best hike in the San Juans, actually being on Cypress Island

This sign is among a group located on the Eagle Bluff trail

If you’re seeking a truly unforgettable hiking experience near the San Juan Islands, the Eagle Bluff Trail on Cypress Island should be at the top of your list. 

Though it’s technically just outside San Juan County, this trail offers jaw-dropping views and a peaceful escape that rivals any hike in the archipelago.

Getting There

The Eagle Bluff Trail begins at Pelican Beach, accessible only by boat, making it a special adventure from the start. Whether you’re arriving by kayak, private boat, or water taxi, the journey adds to the excitement of this secluded trail.     .Pelican Beach on Cypress Island

The Hike

This moderately easy hike is about 2 hours round-trip, perfect for a half-day outing. Along the trail, you’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of Rosario Strait, Orcas Island, and on clear days, views all the way to Deception Pass. Most of the San Juan Islands are visible from the bluff, offering a panoramic backdrop that’s perfect for photos or just soaking in the natural beauty.

Important Note: Trail Closure

Due to nesting eagles, the trail is closed until July 15 each year. This closure helps protect the local wildlife and preserves the serene environment that makes Eagle Bluff so special. Plan your visit accordingly!

Land Management

Eagle Bluff and the surrounding area are managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which maintains the trail and protects this pristine landscape.

See for Yourself

For a closer look at the stunning views and trail conditions, check out the Eagle Bluff pictorial here.    Eagle Bluff hike pictures

Fifteen Best, Must See Destinations and Hikes Not to Miss When Cruising or Visiting the San Juan Islands

    What are some lesser-known places to visit in the San Juan Islands?   

  Some of the best, but less well-known San Juan Islands destinations include: 

• Matia Island’s rainforest trail
• Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island 
• Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island
• Vendovi Island Preserve. 

This article highlights fifteen unique stops—from quiet anchorages to scenic hikes—helping boaters and visitors discover uncrowded places beyond popular harbors like Friday Harbor. 

These are special places to go and great things to do that our years of cruising in the San Juans have rewarded us with.

Friday Harbor - Turtleback Mountain - Jones Island - Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor - Youngs Hill - Turn Point Lighthouse - China Caves - Matia Island Rain Forest Trail - Patos Island Lighthouse Tour - Inati Bay & Lummi Island Campground - Vendovi Island Preserve - Eagle Bluff On Cypress - Fort Whitman On Goat Island - Rosario Beach & The Maiden of Deception Pass - Victoria & Butchart Gardens

 Some of the very best places are walks or hikes that are off the beaten path and seldom visited. I have listed them in somewhat of a great circle to help you stay oriented, but you will not be able to visit all of them in one day. I suggest that you mark them on a paper map or chart for later reference.

Our experience has shown us that trying to visit too many places in a single cruise is overly tiring and diminishes the entire trip.  Plan a relaxing itinerary and take your time

Check out these places too.  Not really must see places but still wonderful exploring and gunkholing places.  little coves and back doors

click here for the detailed list

Pictorial Hike to Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island

What is the hike to Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island like from Pelican Beach?     

  The hike from Pelican Beach to Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island is a steady uphill trail through forest and rocky terrain, leading to sweeping views over surrounding waterways. The round trip takes about 2 to 2½ hours and I consider it an easy to moderate walk, with a treeless 360 degree view at the top and scenic overlooks along the way. This is one of the many San Juan Islands hikes you can only reach by boat.  I give it five stars

      Some readers of this blog will never get to hike to the top of Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island so I snapped a whole bunch of pics while I walked along.

I'll try to keep the text to a minimum

 We took the dinghy to shore at Pelican Beach, which is a Department of Natural Resources Site (DNR)  see Pelican Beach 

>> Read about Pelican Beach on Cypress right here

The boardwalk quickly gives way to forested trail

Many, many pictures yet to see

Pictures by Land and Sea Around Matia Island in the San Juan's

    What is there to see at Matia Island?   

See for yourself.  Matia Island pictorial by land and sea

      A few years back, I  hiked the trail from Pelican Beach to the top of Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island, taking pictures every few minutes along the way. 

 The resulting pictorial is a pretty good synopsis for those who can't make the journey themselves. See the Eagle Bluff Pictorial hike here. 

 I decided to do the same thing on Matia, but with a little change-up.

 First, I hiked the trail snapping away with wild abandon, then I jumped in the dinghy and hugged the shore, continuing to take pictures while I circled the island. Then I deleted most of what I had. The results are below; you decide if it was worthwhile.

The blue marker on the far left marks Rolfe cove, and where we  begin our visit to Matia

First off, exit the dock!
The little four-boat float may be full, but there are two buoys and room for a few boats to anchor.  In a pinch, you can anchor in the much larger cove at the other end of the island and do this hike/dinghy tour in reverse.

Boater park fees are a great deal for what we get in return.

The trail starts at the top of ramp beyond the small picnic campground area.  Matia is unique in that fires are not allowed anywhere, and pets are restricted from trail system.

click where it says read more for the rest of the picture tour!

Why go to Cypress Island? Just go somewhere else - Please

    What is special about Cypress Island?        

• Pelican Beach
• Eagle Bluff
• Cypress Head
• Eagle Harbor

I hesitate to write about Cypress Island, my impulse is to keep the secret, secret.

     For some, Cypress Island is a destination. For others it's just a stop on the way to somewhere else.

For me, it's a dependable refuge that I return to again and again.

        This selection of images is from Pelican Beach on Cypress Island.  The beach is very dinghy friendly. Pelican Beach should be visited for one hour or overnight, or you are missing out on something truly special.

Find your own trail on Cypress
Please use this link for all the other parks and keep Cypress secret.
San Juan area Marine Parks list


Click below to see Pelican Beach Sat. view