Top Things to do and Places to go in the San Juan Islands

   What are the best things to do and places to visit in the San Juan Islands?  

  The Islands are best experienced by combining visits to marine parks, time in small towns, and time on the water.

   The best things to do in the San Juan Islands include visiting marine parks like Sucia and Jones Island, exploring towns such as Friday Harbor, and enjoying boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Popular destinations combine scenic anchorages, walking trails, and shore access, making it easy to plan a balanced trip with both relaxation and activity.

Explore hidden coves  and discover the best things to do in your boat while cruising the Salish Sea  

The difference between a truly wonderful vacation and a ho-hum boat ride is the memorable experiences and special places visited along the way.  These are some of our favorite haunts and things to do.  Maybe some will become your favorites as well.  

Matia Island one-mile loop trail

  This easy one-mile loop immerses you deeply into the shaded forest the minute you take your first steps. Towering trees, oversized ferns, and thick mosses line the trail.  Our first walk many years ago was so serene and calming that even our young kids were quiet and talked in whispers.  Matia Island pictorial

Pygmy deer on Jones Island  

The northwest is full of wildlife and deer are everywhere, or so it seems sometimes.  However, apparently, the many deer on Jones Island have developed to a much smaller size. Even the older bucks with big racks are only about waist-high.  Many of the deer are tame, and some are downright annoying.  One time a deer met me at the water's edge as I came ashore in the dinghy.   Several times deer have joined us around our campfires looking for handouts and letting the kids rub their heads and pet them.  I remember once a spike kept crowding too close to the fire, he was intent on getting at a bag of corn curls. It is against park rules to feed the animals so I don't know how they learned to expect treats from boaters.  Jones Island deer

Deception Pass State Park

While Deception Pass isn't located within San Juan County, any boating enthusiast would be remiss not to include it in their cruising itinerary. In fact, Cornet Bay, with its well-facilitated ramp, serves as a prime launch point for those embarking on their nautical adventures. But, here's a piece of advice – don't just launch and rush through; take the time to savor the breathtaking scenery.

Consider planning part of your voyage around the four daily occurrences of slack tide. At slack tide, the turbulent waters temporarily calm, providing an excellent opportunity for exploration. A mere quarter-mile beyond the pass, still within the park's boundaries, you'll discover Sharpe Cove. Here, you can moor your vessel at the floating dock, and at the head of the ramp stands the remarkable Maiden of Deception Pass.

Maiden of Deception Pass at Sharpe Cove

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!