Orcas Island packs a surprising amount into 56.9 square miles. The largest of the San Juan Islands is all forested hills, freshwater lakes, quiet coves and small communities where the pace drops almost as soon as you leave the ferry.
Days here tend to revolve around the outdoors. You can hike through Moran State Park, paddle a lake, join a whale-watching or charter-boat trip, or tackle the island by bike if you and your legs are prepared for the hills. Orcas also has a scenic golf course, small museums, working farms, galleries, specialty shops and plenty of good places to eat.
This guide covers the best things to do on Orcas Island, whether you are planning an active weekend or would rather browse local art, eat well and stare at the water for a while. The island and the surrounding San Juans appeared in Lynn Shelton’s Your Sister’s Sister; the Netflix thriller Lou is set on Orcas, although it was filmed in British Columbia.
The Best Things to Do on Orcas Island
A view from the top of Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island (philotera/iStock Photo)
©iStock.com/philotera
Tours on the Water
Exploring the Salish Sea by boat or kayak can bring you within sight of harbor seals, porpoises, bald eagles and other wildlife. Depending on the season and plain old luck, tours may also encounter orcas, humpback, minke or gray whales and Steller sea lions. Wildlife sightings are never automatic, which is part of the deal when the animals are actually wild.
Several island companies offer whale-watching tours, kayak trips and fishing charters. Guarantee policies vary: some operators offer a return trip if no whale is seen, while an orca-specific guarantee may apply only to a particular tour. Read the current terms before booking.
Fishing charters may target salmon, halibut, lingcod and other bottomfish, or run crabbing and prawning trips. Seasons and regulations determine what is available, so check the operator’s current schedule and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rules.
Experienced paddlers can rent kayaks, but beginners should consider a guided outing. Age limits, routes and weather policies differ by operator, and conditions on the Salish Sea can change quickly.
Services overlap, so here is what each company currently focuses on:
Deer Harbor Charters
Address:
5164 Deer Harbor Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
340 Brandts Landing Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Specializes in:
Whale watching, wildlife cruises and private charters. Whale-watching trips generally last three to four hours. If no whales are seen, the company’s current policy provides a free return opportunity, with specific terms depending on the season.
North Shore Charters
Address:
5164 Deer Harbor Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Specializes in:
Private fishing and wildlife charters. Three-hour lingcod and bottomfishing trips currently start at $925 for up to four passengers, before tax, permits and any pickup fees. Halibut trips cost more, while current salmon pricing is listed separately by the operator.
Orcas Enchanted
Address:
120 Sucia Dr., Eastsound, WA 98245
Specializes in:
The operator has previously offered whale watching, kayaking and water-taxi service. Its website was unavailable during our latest check, so confirm that the company is operating before making plans.
Outer Island Excursions
A killer whale on the surface in Puget Sound (dickysingh/iStock Photo)
©iStock.com/dickysingh
Address:
1608 Rosario Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Specializes in:
Whale watching, orca-focused trips, fishing charters, kayak rentals and water-taxi service. Standard whale tours typically run three to four hours, and the company offers a return-trip guarantee if no whales are seen on qualifying departures. Its dedicated Guaranteed Orca Tour has separate terms.
Orcas Adventures
Address:
3572 Olga Rd., Olga, WA 98279 (Moran State Park)
Specializes in:
Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, canoe, rowboat and paddle-boat rentals on Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake in Moran State Park. These protected freshwater lakes can be a more approachable choice than open-water paddling. The Sugar Shack beside Cascade Lake sells snacks, drinks, espresso and ice cream.
Salish Seacrets Adventures
Address:
340 Brandt’s Landing Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Specializes in:
Private sightseeing, fishing, crabbing and prawning charters aboard small-group vessels, including a 45-foot trawler and a 21-foot fishing boat. The company takes a relaxed wildlife-viewing approach and does not sell dedicated whale-watching trips. Contact the operator for current routes and pricing.
Orcas Island Sailing
Address:
1945 Obstruction Pass Rd., Olga, WA 98279
Sailors with at least intermediate experience can rent a 19-, 22- or 27-foot boat from Orcas Island Sailing for a half or full day. Private lessons are also available for a half day of about three hours or a full day of six to seven hours. Lesson rates include the boat, captain and a group of up to six people.
Moran State Park
Address:
3572 Olga Rd., Olga, WA 98279
Moran State Park spreads across more than 5,000 acres and has five freshwater lakes, forested campgrounds and more than 38 miles of trails. Some trails allow bicycles or horses, with seasonal restrictions in places. Boat and paddle-sport rentals are available in season, and the Sugar Shack operates beside Cascade Lake.
Mount Constitution rises 2,407 feet above sea level, the highest point in the San Juan Islands. From the stone observation tower, the view reaches across the islands toward the North Cascades and British Columbia when the weather cooperates. The Cold Springs route from Cascade Lake is a demanding 4.3-mile climb each way with about 2,058 feet of elevation gain. You can also drive to the summit, which is useful if your idea of vacation does not involve that much uphill.
The park has 124 standard campsites and six primitive hiker-biker sites. For a softer landing, LEANTO operates five walk-in glamping sites in the South End Campground, with canvas wall tents set on cedar platforms and furnished with real beds. The sites are seasonal and have no electricity, so it is still camping, just with fewer arguments about tent poles.
Orcas Island Trail Rides
Like the idea of hiking without quite so much hiking? Orcas Island Trail Rides leads guided horseback trips through Moran State Park’s forest. Current listings describe rides ranging from 1½ to 3½ hours for beginners and experienced riders, with a minimum age of seven. Contact the operator directly for current schedules, rider requirements and availability.
Wildlife Cycles
Address:
350 North Beach Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Wildlife Cycles is a full-service independent bike shop in Eastsound offering repairs, sales and rentals. Its fleet includes e-bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, high-performance bikes and children’s bikes. Rentals are available by the hour, day or week, and booking ahead is sensible during the busy season. The e-bike option deserves serious consideration; Orcas is the hilliest of the San Juan Islands.
Orcas Island Golf Course and Mini Golf
Address:
2171 Orcas Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
The Orcas Island Golf Course opened in 1962 on land that had been a mustard farm in the late 1800s. Its clubhouse occupies the original 1890 farmhouse, while the nine-hole course winds around natural springs, ponds and evergreen trees. An island-themed 18-hole mini-golf course, built in 2021, adds boats, bridges, a spinning propeller, a ferry and several orcas to the obstacles. The property also has a driving range, rental clubs and carts, a pro shop and a snack bar with beer.
Orcas Island Historical Museum
Address:
181 North Beach Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
The Orcas Island Historical Museum occupies six original homestead cabins that were moved to Eastsound and joined together. Its collection contains nearly 6,000 objects documenting island life. One standout is the original skull of an extinct Bison antiquus discovered on Orcas in 2003 and dated to roughly 14,500 years ago. Exhibits also explore Coast Salish history, settlement, local industry and the communities that shaped the island.
Crow Valley School Museum
Address:
1701 Crow Valley Rd., Eastsound, WA 98245
Built in 1888, one year before Washington became a state, the Crow Valley School is one of Washington’s best-preserved one-room schoolhouses. The building is furnished to reflect its years as a working school from 1888 to 1918. It is generally open for walk-in visits Thursday through Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with private tours available by advance arrangement.
Orcas Island Artworks Gallery
Address:
11 Pt. Lawrence Rd., Olga, WA 98279
Housed in Olga’s restored strawberry barreling plant, the Orcas Island Artworks cooperative gallery represents about 40 professional artists who live and work on Orcas year-round. The collection includes painting, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glass, woodwork, fiber art and other locally made pieces. The gallery is currently open daily, though it is still smart to check seasonal hours before driving across the island.
Girl Meets Dirt
Address:
208 Enchanted Forest Rd., Suite A, Eastsound, WA 98245
After nearly a decade in Manhattan and a career on Wall Street, founder Audra Lawlor moved west with her husband and two dogs and settled on a small Orcas farm. There she began turning fruit from old island orchards into the preserves, shrubs, bitters and wines sold by Girl Meets Dirt. Visitors can stop at the Eastsound shop, peek into the production kitchen and sample what is available.
The shelves hold small-batch jams, shrubs, bitters and fruit wines, along with pantry goods from other makers. Flavors and inventory change, but Pear Balsamic and Island Plum preserves give a fair idea of the approach: local fruit, concentrated flavor and combinations that are much more interesting than supermarket grape jelly.
Doe Bay Wine Company
Address:
109 N. Beach Rd. D1, Eastsound, WA 98245
Established in 2015, the Doe Bay Wine Company began as a wine-consulting business and added its Orcas Island bottle shop and tasting room in 2017. The Eastsound shop carries small-production wines along with beer, cider and sake, and serves glasses and flights. It is currently open daily from noon to 7 p.m.
New Leaf Cafe
Address:
171 Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
Located at the Outlook Inn, New Leaf Café serves brunch and dinner built around seasonal flavors and local ingredients. The dining room overlooks Fishing Bay, making it an easy place to settle into island time without working very hard at it.
Menus change with the season, so check the restaurant’s current brunch and dinner listings rather than planning around a particular dish. Reservations are a good idea for dinner, especially on summer weekends. Current hours are Thursday through Sunday, with brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.; a separate Monday happy hour is also offered.
Madrona Bar & Grill
Address:
310 Main St., Suite 105, Eastsound, WA 98245
Opened in 2009, the Madrona Bar & Grill sits directly over the water in Eastsound. Most tables take advantage of the view, while the rustic dining room and Northwest-inspired menu keep things firmly in island territory.
Madrona is open daily for lunch and dinner, with a menu centered on seafood, burgers, steaks, sandwiches and pasta. Specific dishes change, but the setting is the constant: water below, boats outside and a very good chance you will linger longer than planned.
Brown Bear Baking
Address:
29 North Beach Rd. at Main St., Eastsound, WA 98245
Co-owners Lee Horswill and David Ellertsen trained in French baking at the San Francisco Baking Institute. At Brown Bear Baking, they produce breads and pastries in small batches throughout the day, which helps explain both the freshness and why a favorite item may disappear before you arrive.
The selection varies, but expect croissants, morning buns, scones, quiche and savory pastries, plus brunch and lunch items such as croque sandwiches. Victrola coffee is available for the necessary accompaniment. Arrive early if you have your heart set on something specific.
Brown Bear is currently open Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
