Like every incredible destination, getting to Orcas Island is where your adventure begins.
Nestled in the San Juan Islands, Orcas is accessible by a variety of scenic and enjoyable transportation options. The most common route is via Washington State Ferry.
Ferries depart regularly from Anacortes, offering stunning views of the Puget Sound and the surrounding islands. For those seeking a quicker journey, Eastsound Airport is serviced by a number of wheeled plane regional airlines and Kenmore Air provides scenic floatplane service directly to multiple locations on Orcas Island.
Below you’ll find more details on each of these travel methods, helping you plan your journey to our beautiful island.
A leisurely ferry ride is the perfect transition to take you from the busy freeways of the mainland to the quiet country roads of the islands.
You can drive your car straight onto the ferry, just make sure you have made a reservation first! Walk-on passengers, including those with bikes, are also welcome and can purchase tickets at the terminal – no reservation needed.
If you’re coming from SeaTac and don’t have a car, you can take a shuttle bus from the airport right to the Anacortes ferry landing with Bellair Charters.
Catch a small plane at various Northwest locations, including Seattle’s SeaTac airport, Boeing Field, Lake Union, or Lake Washington, and be on Orcas Island in approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Regular and charter flights are also available from other regional airports.
Recommended for experienced bikers only, Orcas Island’s steep hills, blind curves, and little or no shoulder are challenging for bike riders at every level of ability.
Orcas has the highest point in the San Juan Islands, and our roads are the most hilly. Biking from the ferry to Eastsound involves over 500ft in elevation climbs alone!
Our roads are narrow without shoulders for stopping/passing, and the road from the ferry to town does not have any places to stop for a rest.
Ideally, only bike in groups of max 3-4 people, with wide spacing to encourage car passing & use bicycle turnouts whenever possible. Use EXTREME caution on the roads!!
Orcas offers a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campsites.
It depends on your activity. There are places on the island where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and other outdoor gear for exploring. We also have shops where you can purchase outdoor clothing and technical gear.
Orcas is a foodie’s dream. Farm-to-table is taken very seriously here as many of our restaurants source most or all of their ingredients, including meat and seafood, from the island and surrounding areas. There are two James Beard recognized restaurants, cocktail bars, and cafes offering a variety of dining options, from fine dining to cozy comfort food and everything in between.
Yes, yes, and yes. Especially in the high season or if you are traveling with a large group, you are unlikely to find last minute lodging or restaurant accommodations. There are dining options for which reservations aren’t required, but many establishments close at 9pm (sometimes earlier) even during the summer. It’s recommended to book ferries, accommodations, and activities in advance, especially during peak travel times (summer months and holidays), as they can fill up quickly.