San Juan Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands. It’s home to the popular town of Friday Harbor, which is where you’ll find our luxurious Bed and Breakfast. There’s plenty to do on San Juan Island itself, but there are even more opportunities to explore if you go island hopping aboard the San Juan Island ferry this summer.
Whatever it is you intend to do while you’re here, the Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites make the perfect home base from which to launch your adventures while you’re in the San Juan Islands. Combined, our inn offers 7 guest rooms, 8 suites, and 3 vacation cottages just steps away from Friday Harbor and the ferry terminal. We offer a full range of concierge services, too, including helping you to book whale watching, kayaking, and other tours in the area.
If you’re looking for a stunningly beautiful and restful getaway this summer, you can’t beat time in the San Juan Islands. Book your room at our luxurious inn collection today!
Explore More on the San Juan Island Ferry
You don’t have to take the ferry to get to Friday Harbor, though it is a beautiful journey! You can also get to the San Juan Islands via plane, private boat, and water taxis, or some combination thereof. Once you’re here, though, the local interisland ferry system offers you an easy escape to the other populous islands, including Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Islands, all of which are serviced daily via the San Juan Island ferry.
Depending on how long you plan to stay here, we recommend enjoying at least a day or two of island hopping. Each of the islands is unique, and they offer plenty of scenery and opportunities for recreation, dining, and amusement. If for no other reason, island hopping from one destination to the next on the San Juan Island ferry is an absolutely beautiful journey.
You can find some of our favorite things to do on San Juan Island in a recent blog post, including things like whale watching, kayaking, visiting Lime Kiln Point State Park, and touring the island’s local farm culture. Once you’ve moved beyond our shores, though, you’ll find even more fun things to do on the other islands of the San Juans. You’ll find a few suggestions below, but we’d be happy to give you even more tips and tricks for how best to plan some island hopping aboard the interisland ferry.
Get Outside on Orcas Island
Orcas Island is the 2nd largest of the San Juan Islands and is known for its lush forests, pristine lakes, and endless outdoor possibilities. Orcas Island is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and to enjoy activities like hiking, biking, bird and wildlife watching, kayaking, and more. The island is home to popular outdoor areas like Moran State Park, which features the high summit views from Mount Constitution, and Obstruction Pass State Park.
The calm waters found off the eastern side of Orcas Island are also great for kayaking for beginners. If you’re looking for something a bit more advanced, it’s also possible to kayak from Orcas Island to the protected marine state park islands, such as Sucia, Matia, and Patos islands.
Discover Island Time on Lopez Island
If you come to the islands aboard the San Juan Island ferry, your first stop after leaving Anacortes will be Lopez Island. Lopez Island is a charming, friendly community to visit, filled with rolling farmland, beautiful views, and plenty of natural beauty. It’s much quieter than its larger neighbors of San Juan Island and Orcas Island. The island is relatively small, at just 15 miles from one end to the other, which makes it a great candidate for bike touring.
You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want to be on Lopez Island. Stop in for some wine tasting at Lopez Island Winery, take a hike at Lopez Hill, visit the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, or explore Lopez Village, where you’ll find quaint shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more. It’s the main commercial hub of the island, and it’s just 4 miles away from the San Juan Island ferry terminal.
Step Back in Time on Shaw Island
Shaw Island is the smallest of the islands serviced by the San Juan Island ferry. It’s located at the center of the rest of the four islands discussed here and is largely undeveloped, which means it offers a glimpse into what these islands looked like before development.
Most people who visit this quaint island come for pristine access to nature. It’s a wonderful place to do a little kayaking, bicycling, beachcombing, and relaxing away from the other busier islands for the afternoon. Like Lopez Island, Shaw Island is a wonderful place to take a bike and explore for the day.
Relax and Unwind on San Juan Island
As we’ve already mentioned, the Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites are located in the town of Friday Harbor. Here, you’ll find a bustling yet relaxed port filled with plenty of unique shops to explore, art galleries to browse, restaurants to enjoy, and a wide variety of activities to sample. With so many great amenities, it’s the best place from which to base your adventure in the San Juan Islands.
From here, it’s also easy to utilize the interisland ferry to island-hop from one island paradise to the next. The San Juan Island ferry terminal is just a short walk from our Inns. When your days’ adventure is done, head back to the relaxing atmosphere at the Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites – the best lodging on San Juan Island.
Food and wine are an essential part of the experience when you stay with us. It starts with our sumptuous breakfast in the mornings and continues with dinner at our Coho Restaurant, which is located just down the street from the Inns. The restaurant features high-quality ingredients from local growers, and everything served is made from scratch in our kitchen. Our chefs create exciting seasonal menus, always showcasing simple and artful cuisine. Dining with us will leave a delicious and lasting impression on you.
In order to make the most of your getaway to the San Juan Islands, you’ll want to book your passage on the San Juan Island ferry, along with other tours, in advance. We’d love to help you plan – just let us know how our concierge can help! Once you’re ready, book your room at our San Juan Island Bed and Breakfast today!
