Visit Olga on Orcas Island and ride your bikes up Mt Constitution or Moran Park

  What can you do when visiting Olga on Orcas Island by boat?  

  Visiting Olga on Orcas Island offers access via a small quiet dock to scenic roads, and nearby attractions like Mount Constitution. Boaters can dock, explore by bike or on foot, and enjoy a less crowded side of the island. Visits are limited to three days and payment is made at a kiosk. 

Olga is one of the quietest places to visit on Orcas Island.

Olga offered us an empty dock. 

So we gladly accepted.

 On other visits, the float was full, so we turned away, vowing to return when there was room.  The private mooring field is peppered with so many buoys it demands full attention when slipping through.

Olga public dock has room for about three boats on each side, all buoys are private.

The dinghy's at Olga belong to locals, there is no access to the beach except, a nasty slippery, very steep, and thorny trail in brush under ramp.

The sign says it all

       On shore at the top of the Olga ramp is a flagpole, and a memorial bench. 

There are a couple blocks, if that, of roads to walk, some say private drive, keep out.  There is no bathroom.  The old store across the street was closed up many years ago, and the property is for sale, but the little post office is in business.  Up a moderately steep hill about 1/4-1/3 mile is a restaurant on the main road. Some other boaters made the hike and reported good food.  Other than private homes, most which look like second homes, there is no other business.  That's it for Olga.  I'm glad we finally stopped by Olga, but except for a nice dock to tie up to, and a pleasant little bay to paddle and dinghy sail, what can I say.

       On a much more positive note, I rode my bicycle around a little, and after checking my maps I realized that Olga is the shortest and most convenient starting point for a grueling ride to the top of Mt Constitution.  7 miles versus 7.5 starting at Rosario.  I did not make the ride due to being late in the day, but I plan to come back and give it a try.

         Next time we are in the area and need a place to spend the night, I'm sure we will stop again.
Oh, and we saw a little baby deer on the beach, way to go Olga!

Note: I am reluctant to review or report on businesses that may or may not be around in the future when readers might come across my post, not realizing the information is sadly outdated or just plain incorrect.

That being said, I have heard that a coop has reopened (2023/2024?) the old store/deli at the top of the gangplank in Olga. I have also been told that there is a new restaurant in West Sound, across from the county dock.  

To the best of my knowledge, the San Juans are still subject to tides, currents, puffins and the occasional seal pup and orca in unexpected places.

Click below for a satellite view of Olga

Ten Best Parks of the San Juan Islands

  What and where are the San Juan Islands' ten best parks?  

   Let's start by listing my choices in order of best first, first because they have overnight docks,  followed by some pros and cons, and a few real-world comments.  (Hopefully, I haven't omitted your favorite)  Keep in mind, we go to all the parks and don't dislike any but there is no doubt some parks are five-star and some are not, depending on what we are doing or the weather during that particular cruise.

     For a more detailed review of the San Juan area marine parks, including maps try this post.  marine parks

parks with docks

• Jones Island   

• Matia

• Sucia - Fossil Bay

• James Island

• Stuart Island  (Prevost & Reid Harbor)

• Sharpe Cove and Cornet Bay at Deception Pass

parks without docks

• Saddlebag Island

• Pelican Beach

• Turn Island

• Eagle Harbor

• Cypress Head

• Patos

• Sucia   (Echo and Shallow bays)

• Spencer Spit

• Odlin County Park  (has 2 hr dock)

• Clark Island

• Doe Island

• Obstruction Pass

• Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada) (has overnight dock)

• Washington Park  (launching ramp only dock)

• San Juan County Park

• Shaw Island Park

1 - Jones Island is my number one choice and here's why

       Pros:

• bigger but not the biggest dock

• protected bay 

• great dinghy beach with a couple of tidepools

• anchor buoys and lots of room to anchor

• running water and four nice nearby composters

• Hiking the many loop trails at Jones never gets boring

• tiny deer, many tame, are unique to Jones

• dock is very close to camp sites for evening fires

• close to Deer Harbor for supplies

        Cons:

• crowds sometimes

• long way back to the mainland

• open to the north wind

• no bicycle trails

  2 - Matia Island never disappoints us.

        Pros:

• very small intimate dock for four boats

• usually room when we arrive

• small protected bay holds about four more boats

• great gravel beach

• multiple coves for beachcombing

• puffins, seals and eagles and great sunsets

• unique rain forest one mile or less loop trail

• somewhat close to Squalicum Harbor (2-3 hours)

• restroom at top of gangplank

• Matia is a peaceful quiet special place

click here for the rest