For many visitors, a trip to the San Juan Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People come for various reasons, but at the top of the list is often the chance to see the mesmerizing landscapes of the San Juan Islands firsthand and enjoy some of the world’s best whale watching. You can do both at Lime Kiln State Park, one of the must-see highlights of any trip to San Juan Island. Known for its dramatic coastline and iconic lighthouse, the park is a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
Spanning 41 acres, Lime Liln State Park showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest’s rugged beauty. It features rocky shores, windswept trees, and scenic trails that lead to breathtaking views of the Salish Sea. Perched on the island’s western side, the historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse, built in 1919, is a central attraction at the park. Open for tours during summer, the lighthouse offers a panoramic perspective of the Haro Strait, with views stretching all the way to Canada’s Cordova Bay.
Visits to Lime Kiln State Park aren’t just about the scenery, though. This park is nicknamed Whale Watch Park, as it just so happens to be one of the best places for land-based whale watching in the San Juan Islands. From here, it’s common for visitors to spot orcas, porpoises, seals, otters, and sea lions. Despite being such a catch-all destination, Lime Kiln State Park is one of the many fantastic reasons you should visit us in the San Juans this year.
There are plenty of things to do in the San Juan Islands, from whale-watching tours and kayaking adventures on the sound to breathtaking hikes, wine tastings, and more. When your adventures are done for the day, elevate your experience with a stay at our San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast in Friday Harbor. With guest rooms to suit every traveler, including family and pet-friendly accommodations, there’s no better place to stay in the San Juan Islands this year. Discover why our San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast is the ultimate retreat, and book your getaway today!
What to Do at Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island
Exploring Lime Kiln State Park is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the natural beauty of San Juan Island. Your day at our Friday Harbor Lodging begins with a hearty breakfast delivered fresh and hot to your room, which is good because you’ll want to be well-fueled to enjoy your day at Lime Kiln State Park. Once breakfast is over, you’re a short 20-minute drive from some of the most captivating landscapes the San Juan Islands have to offer.
As you arrive at Lime Kiln State Park’s parking lots, make sure you pay the day pass entry fee of $10 unless you already have a Discover Pass. It’s required to access the park. From there, you’ll want to choose one of the hiking trails in the park. The trails are mostly short, with only 1.6 miles of hiking trails accessible in the park. The trails all ultimately lead to the beach and various viewpoints along the shore. Of the trails, the most popular destination for visitors to Lime Kiln State Park is the Lime Kiln Lighthouse.
The lighthouse, which was built in 1919, is set on a rocky cliff at the west end of San Juan Island. It’s an iconic structure that provides sweeping vistas of the Salish Sea, with sightlines extending across Haro Strait to Canada’s Cordova Bay. Lime Kiln Lighthouse has long been important to the maritime community in the San Juan Islands, as it stands guard at the entry to Haro Straight, which is a major shipping route that links Puget Sound to the Strait of Georgia. It was the last major lighthouse built in Washington State.
In 1978, the Lime Kiln Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1985, it was designated a whale sanctuary and research station for marine mammal scientists. This area is vital for tracking orcas in the San Juan Islands. During the summer months, tours of the lighthouse offer a closer look at its fascinating history and unparalleled scenery.
Aside from taking in the scenery at the lighthouse, Lime Kiln State Park also offers plenty of picturesque picnic spots, not to mention some of the best land-based whale watching on San Juan Island. Perched along the bluffs, picnic tables provide incredible views of the lighthouse and shimmering waters beyond. Guests at our San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast can elevate their outing with a gourmet picnic lunch prepared especially for the occasion. Or, for a quick bite, stop by the park’s Blowhole concession stand.
Hiking and marveling at the views aren’t the only things to do at Lime Kiln State Park. You can also launch kayaks from here. For a bit of adventure, consider kayaking at Dead Man’s Cove, a secluded inlet steeped in history as a former smuggling hideout. Paddle through calm waters surrounded by rocky cliffs and tide pools. Whether you’re spotting wildlife, kayaking secluded waters, or simply soaking in the views, Lime Kiln State Park promises an unforgettable day in one of the most scenic corners of the Pacific Northwest.
The Best Spot for Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands
Lime Kiln State Park is often called Whale Watch Park for a reason—it’s one of the best places in the world to see whales without ever setting foot on a boat. Perched on the western edge of San Juan Island, the park offers a prime vantage point along the rocky shoreline. The park’s location along a deep-water passage makes it a natural hotspot for marine life, with whales often seen feeding or traveling near shore.
Three resident pods of Orca, also known as Killer Whales, frequent the area from May to September. The peak time of their visit varies a little bit, but it’s always determined by the strength of the local salmon runs. Orcas aren’t the only whales you can spot from here, though. You’ll also occasionally see Humpback, gray, minke, porpoises, and other wildlife. The interpretive center at the park provides updates on recent whale sightings and helpful tips for spotting orcas and other marine life. With just a pair of binoculars and a little patience, you might catch a pod of orcas breaching or a playful sea lion gliding nearby.
Of course, heading to Lime Kiln State Park is just one of the many ways to see orcas in the San Juan Islands. You can also arrange to take one of the exceptional whale-watching tours in the San Juan Islands. Our favorite tour operators include the following:
- San Juan Safaris offers a classic larger vessel tour and a high-speed adventure boat tour, both of which last 3- 4 hours.
- San Juan Outfitters leaves Roche Harbor and does a great job of highlighting the diverse wildlife in the area, including Dalls Porpoises, Harbor Porpoises, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and Bald Eagles.
- Western Prince Cruises offers shorter or longer-range extended whale-watching tours on San Juan Island and private charters.
- San Juan Excursions, operating out of Friday Harbor, operates a converted Navy search-and-rescue vessel with multiple wrap-around viewing decks, providing a complete whale-watching experience.
- Maya’s Legacy Charters offers intimate, small whale-watching tours on San Juan Island. They offer various options and are available year-round.
If you’re ready to experience the best of the San Juan Islands, now’s the time to secure your spot at our exquisite San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast in Friday Harbor. Book your room today!
