How To Get To the San Juan Islands
Planning a trip to the San Juan Islands might seem a bit daunting at first. Let us help make your planning effortless with our travel toolkit; it’s got all the valuable information you’ll need:
There are two basic ways of getting to the San Juan Islands – you can fly or take a ferry. Each offers a panoramic view of the islands. There are several ferry services to the islands; the most popular, the Washington State Ferry, departs daily from Anacortes.
Anacortes is equidistant from the city of Vancouver, B.C., Canada and the Seattle Tacoma International Airport, which is about 20 minutes south of Seattle. It is 80 miles from either city – about a 2-hour drive. The Washington State ferry operates large car ferries between the islands, terminating its service in Friday Harbor, where the Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites are located. Check out our driving directions to Anacortes from either Vancouver or Seattle and some local ferry tips to help you handle busy summer travel like a local.
If you opt to fly to Friday Harbor, you are sure to enjoy an amazing ride. There are not many places in the world where you can take a seaplane and land in the harbor just a few blocks from your accommodation. If a seaplane is a bit too daunting, wheeled planes fly into Friday Harbor Airport.
If you prefer to do the trip without a vehicle, there are several shuttle services that will get you to Anacortes. The Anacortes ferry terminal is served by Gray Line bus from downtown Seattle (800) 426-7532. Island Airporter runs a daily shuttle service from Friday Harbor to SeaTac (360) 378-7438. Bellair Charters Airporter Shuttle has scheduled service from Anacortes Ferry Terminal to SeaTac.
Once in Friday Harbor, we are a few steps from the ferry terminal and harbor and 1.2 miles from the airport. Click here for walking or driving directions to the inn.
Flying To Friday Harbor
There are several companies that fly to Friday Harbor airport or Friday Harbor Marina from Seattle or the neighboring regional airports:
Kenmore Air flies floatplanes in and out of Friday Harbor Marina from Lake Union (downtown Seattle) and from Lake Kenmore, in north Seattle. Kenmore also offers wheel plane service to Friday Harbor Airport from Seattle’s Boeing Field. Kenmore provides a shuttle service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Boeing Field or Lake Union. If you choose to fly with Kenmore Air, we offer a package as part of your stay. Our concierge will make your reservation on your behalf.
Westwind Aviation offers charter and scenic flights from the regional airports in Seattle and Portland into Friday Harbor, as well as service to Canada. Take a short flight for a day trip to Victoria or fly to the island in a twin-engine or in a Citation with seating for eight.
Friday Harbor Sea Planes offers seasonal daily scheduled flights to and from Friday Harbor out of South Lake Washington in Renton. The service includes a free shuttle to and from Sea-Tac for those flying in and out of Seattle and free parking for local travelers.
San Juan Airlines provides daily scheduled flights from Bellingham, Anacortes, and inter-island.
Point to Point Air is an on demand fixed wing airline with flights in the PNW, allowing passengers to choose their date and time of departure. Their base of operations is Arlington and Boeing Field.
Charter service between the islands and the destination of your choice is available from Island Air and Rose Air.
If you are flying in on a private plane, the Port of Friday Airport has a 3,400 by 75 foot runway, 12,500 pound weight limit, and 45 transient spaces for guest aircraft.
Attractions on San Juan Island
Use our handy map below to the location of our two inns and Coho Restaurant. Map controls are in the bottom right corner for zooming in and out.
What To Bring
Layers! The weather on the island changes throughout the day. It is not unusual to have a 20 to 30 degree temperature fluctuation in a 12-hour period. If you are planning activities on the water, be prepared for temperatures that are at least 10 degrees cooler than on land. A rain slicker or wind breaker as well as waterproof pants for kayaking will come in handy.
True to island style, there is no restaurant or theater that requires dressing up – nice casual is the norm, and jeans are accepted anywhere. You won’t need formal attire unless you are attending a private event that requires such.
San Juan Island & Friday Harbor Weather
The weather on San Juan Island fluctuates up to 20 degrees daily. We suggest layers and a rain slicker, in the event of some unexpected liquid sunshine.
Getting around San Juan Island and Friday Harbor
For guests who choose to come as foot passengers, San Juan Transit provides tours and island transportation (seasonal only). You can also rent from Susie’s Mopeds or M&W Auto. The Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites have a complimentary fleet of bicycles that are available for guest use.
