Four days · San Juan Island and Orcas Island

The San Juan Islands with kids: ferries, whales from shore and a tower above the islands

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Four days in the islands for a family: the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, The Whale Museum, a long watch for orcas from the rocks at Lime Kiln, English Camp and Roche Harbor, alpacas and American Camp, then Orcas Island and the stone tower on Mount Constitution.

Road trips Historic small towns & covered bridges Wildlife watching & birding

4 days / 3 nights Apr–Oct for whales Family · car + ferry

Original illustration

The small white Lime Kiln lighthouse on dark rocks above Haro Strait on San Juan Island — **Lime Kiln Point** · the 1919 lighthouse above Haro Strait, on the west side

The trip in 60 seconds

Trip at a glance

Who it’s for: Families with school-age kids who like boats, animals and short walks, and parents who want one ferry adventure a day rather than a packed schedule
Route: Anacortes → the ferry to Friday Harbor → Lime Kiln, English Camp & Roche Harbor → American Camp, the alpacas & the ferry to Orcas → Moran State Park & Mount Constitution → the ferry home
Best timing: April to October, which the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau names as the prime months for whales; humpbacks are seen more often from August to October
Pace: Family pace: one main stop each morning and afternoon, short walks of under 2 miles, and ferry time to rest
Sleep: Two nights in Friday Harbor, within walking distance of the ferry, then one night on Orcas Island near Eastsound or at Rosario
Getting there: Drive to the Anacortes ferry terminal, about 85 miles north of Seattle, and take your car across on Washington State Ferries. Reserve vehicle space and arrive 45 to 60 minutes early
Rough budget: Ferries, rooms and meals are the main costs. San Juan Island National Historical Park is free; Washington State Parks need a Discover Pass, $10 a day per car
Good to know: Ferry fares are paid westbound from Anacortes and cover the trip home; the inter-island run between San Juan and Orcas needs no reservation

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Illustration: route map of the four days, an illustrated bird’s-eye view of the San Juan Islands with north at the top, Anacortes at the lower right, ferry lanes to Friday Harbor and Orcas Island, and numbered pins at Friday Harbor (Day 1), Lime Kiln and English Camp (Day 2), the alpaca farm and Orcas (Day 3) and Mount Constitution (Day 4) — The San Juan Islands in four days · two islands, three ferries

Postcards from the trip

The Friday Harbor waterfront with boats and buildings along the shore — **Friday Harbor** · The waterfront on the first afternoon.

The white Hotel de Haro with its long porches at Roche Harbor — **Hotel de Haro** · The white hotel at Roche Harbor.

Cascade Lake surrounded by forest in Moran State Park on Orcas Island — **Cascade Lake** · The flat lake loop on Orcas.

A harbor seal resting on rocks at Lime Kiln Point State Park — **Harbor seal** · A regular at the Lime Kiln rocks.

The idea

Four days in the San Juan Islands with kids: ferries, whales and a castle-like tower.

The San Juan Islands lie in the Salish Sea between the Washington mainland and Vancouver Island, about an hour by ferry from Anacortes. San Juan Island has Friday Harbor, the whale-watching shore at Lime Kiln and the two camps of the old Pig War; Orcas Island has the forest and lakes of Moran State Park and the view from Mount Constitution.

Day 1 is the ferry over and The Whale Museum. Day 2 is the west side: Lime Kiln, oysters at Westcott Bay, English Camp and Roche Harbor. Day 3 is American Camp, the alpacas and the inter-island ferry to Orcas. Day 4 is Mount Constitution and Cascade Lake before the boat home.

Want more of the Pacific Northwest with kids? See Olympic National Park in 6 Days, or come back in winter for Leavenworth at Christmas.

Day-by-day summary

Friday Harbor’s marina and houses on the hill seen from above the town

Day 1 · Wednesday, car + ferryAnacortes and Friday HarborBreakfast in Anacortes, the ferry through the islands, lunch on the harbor and The Whale Museum.

The white wooden blockhouse at English Camp on the shore of Garrison Bay

Day 2 · Thursday, west sideLime Kiln, English Camp and Roche HarborWhale watching from shore at Lime Kiln, oysters at Westcott Bay, English Camp and the marina at Roche Harbor.

Boats in the harbor at Eastsound on Orcas Island

Day 3 · Friday, car + ferryAmerican Camp, the alpacas and OrcasPrairie and beach at American Camp, alpacas at Krystal Acres, then the inter-island ferry to Orcas.

Islands and Mount Baker seen from the top of Mount Constitution on Orcas Island

Day 4 · Saturday, car + ferryMoran State Park and Mount ConstitutionBreakfast in Eastsound, the stone tower on Mount Constitution, Cascade Lake and the evening ferry home.

The route

Four days, two islands, three ferry rides

Anacortes to Friday Harbor, two nights on San Juan Island, the inter-island boat to Orcas for the last night, then the ferry back to Anacortes, with no drive on the islands longer than about 40 minutes.

Illustration: two children at the outer deck rail of a green-and-white car ferry, a white wake curling behind and forested islands sliding past under a summer sky, illustrated day card for Day 1

01Friday Harbor · arrive

Base: Friday Harbor, two nights. Anacortes is about 85 miles north of Seattle, and the ferry to Friday Harbor takes about an hour. Reserve vehicle space and be in line 45–60 minutes before sailing. The Whale Museum is $13 for adults, $6 for ages 6 to 18 and free for kids 5 and under. Pace: easy: a morning drive, an hour on the boat to stretch out, then everything in town on foot.

Breakfast in Anacortes

Where to eat: Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery on Commercial Avenue in Anacortes, for big breakfasts and a bag of pastries for the ferry line.

“Is that our boat?” Not yet. Eat slowly, then drive the 10 minutes west to the terminal and join the vehicle lanes with your reservation.

The ferry through the islands

The horn sounds, the ramp lifts and the big green-and-white boat swings out into Rosario Strait. Take the kids straight up to the outer deck. The wind is cold even in summer, the wake curls white behind, and the forested islands slide past so close you can see the madronas on the rocks and the cabins at the water. Count the seals. Watch for bald eagles on the snags. Somebody will ask if that dark shape is a whale, and once in a while it is. Inside, the galley sells hot chocolate and there are big windows and tables for cards. Expert tip: walk to the front of the boat as it rounds into Friday Harbor; the town comes into view all at once, white houses on the hill above a harbor full of masts.

Lunch on the harbor

Where to eat: Downriggers, right above the ferry landing in Friday Harbor, for fish and chips and chowder at a window over the docks.

The kids can watch the next ferry come in while they eat. It is a lot bigger up close.

The Whale Museum

Walk two blocks up from the water to The Whale Museum, in an old building on First Street. Inside, whale skeletons hang from the ceiling, and a wall of photos shows each of the Southern Resident orcas by the shape of its fin and the grey saddle patch behind it. Kids can listen to recordings of orca calls and match them to the pods. “Which one is J pod?” Look it up together, then remember the names; tomorrow at Lime Kiln you might see them.

Afterward, walk the docks and the waterfront park by the harbor, and look for the small aquarium at Spring Street Landing.

Dinner above the boats

Where to eat: Friday Harbor House, on the hill above the ferry landing, for a seafood dinner in a dining room that looks over the harbor; book ahead for a family table.

The last ferry of the evening leaves the dock while you eat, its lights moving out across the dark water. The kids will be asleep in minutes.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery — big breakfasts and a bakery case. Why here: In Anacortes, ten minutes from the ferry terminal before the boat.
Lunch · Downriggers — fish and chips and chowder over the docks. Why here: Right above the ferry landing, the first lunch on the island.
Dinner · Friday Harbor House — seafood dinners above the harbor; book ahead. Why here: A view of the boats and the evening ferry for the first night.
Quick stop (other): Washington State Ferries, Anacortes to Friday Harbor — about 1 hour through the islands; reserve vehicle space. Why here: The ferry ride is the first adventure of the trip.
Quick stop (other): The Whale Museum — whale skeletons, orca calls and the Southern Resident family tree, open daily. Why here: Meet the orcas by name before looking for them from shore.

Book the ferry the day reservations open. Summer sailings from Anacortes fill quickly for cars. Fares are paid westbound and cover the trip home, so keep the receipt.

Seattle → Anacortes ferry terminal: about 85 miles, roughly 1½–2 hours by car. Anacortes → Friday Harbor: about 1 hour on the ferry. Ferry landing → The Whale Museum: about 5 minutes on foot.

Where to stay

A hotel or cottage in Friday Harbor — two nights within walking distance of the ferry; book early for summer.

Dinner: Friday Harbor House, above the ferry landing.

Tomorrow: whales from shore at Lime Kiln.

Bad-weather plan

Wind or rain? The ferry runs in nearly all weather, and the inside cabin has big windows. Spend longer in The Whale Museum and the shops on Spring Street, and save the waterfront walk for a dry hour.

Stay: Friday Harbor base · Anchor: the ferry · reserve a car space

Good to know: Washington State Ferries runs a seasonal schedule; check the current sailing times and your reservation the morning you leave.

Illustration: English Camp on Garrison Bay, a white blockhouse at the water and a white barracks behind a formal garden under big maples, two tiny children running on the lawn, illustrated day card for Day 2

02West side · whales

Base: the same room in Friday Harbor. Lime Kiln Point State Park is about 20 minutes west across the island, open 8 a.m. to dusk, and parking needs a Discover Pass, $10 for the day. English Camp is free. Pace: slow and outdoors: a short walk at Lime Kiln, a picnic lunch, an easy loop at English Camp, with lots of sitting and watching in between.

Breakfast in town

Where to eat: Bakery San Juan, a few minutes from the harbor, for pastries, breakfast sandwiches and loaves to carry for snacks later.

Whales from shore at Lime Kiln

Drive west across the island’s farms and forest to Lime Kiln Point State Park, which locals call Whale Watch Park. A short trail leads through the madronas to dark rocks above Haro Strait and a small white lighthouse from 1919. Find a flat rock, sit down and watch the water. “How do we know where to look?” Look for a black fin, a puff of spray, or a cluster of boats waiting offshore. Orcas sometimes pass close to these rocks, and seals and porpoises are often here. The kids may last ten minutes or an hour. Bring the binoculars and snacks either way. Expert tip: the lighthouse is open to visitors Thursday to Sunday, noon to 4 p.m., so a Thursday visit lets you see inside.

Oysters at Westcott Bay

Where to eat: Westcott Bay Shellfish Co., on the north end of the island, for oysters and clams at picnic tables by the farm; check its site for the season’s hours.

Kids who will not try an oyster can still watch them pulled up from the bay in mesh bags. Bring bread and fruit from the bakery for the picky ones.

English Camp and Roche Harbor

From 1860 to 1872, British and American soldiers shared this island in the standoff remembered as the Pig War, and English Camp is where the British stayed. Walk down the grassy slope to the white blockhouse on Garrison Bay and the formal garden by the barracks, where big maples shade the lawn. It is a good place to run. The national park has no entrance fee.

Then drive ten minutes to Roche Harbor, an old lime-company village with a marina, a white hotel and a sculpture park in a meadow above the docks. Watch the boats come in and get an ice cream before dinner.

Dinner at Roche Harbor

Where to eat: McMillin’s Dining Room at Roche Harbor, for a seafood dinner in the old house above the marina; book ahead.

At sunset in summer the marina lowers its flags with a small ceremony. Ask at the resort if it is on tonight, and stand on the dock with the kids to watch.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Bakery San Juan — pastries and breakfast sandwiches, weekdays. Why here: Near the harbor, with loaves to carry for snacks on the rocks.
Lunch · Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. — oysters and clams by the farm; check seasonal hours. Why here: On the north end of the island, on the way to English Camp.
Dinner · McMillin’s Dining Room — seafood in the old house above the marina; book ahead. Why here: At Roche Harbor, with the marina at sunset.
Quick stop (viewpoint): Lime Kiln Point State Park — rocks above Haro Strait and a 1919 lighthouse; Discover Pass. Why here: The shore where orcas sometimes pass close.
Quick stop (other): English Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park — blockhouse, barracks and garden on Garrison Bay; free. Why here: Room to run and the story of the Pig War.

Pack a whale kit. Binoculars for each child, a fleece, snacks and a printout of the orca ID chart from The Whale Museum make waiting on the rocks feel like a mission.

Friday Harbor → Lime Kiln Point: about 20 minutes. Lime Kiln → Westcott Bay: about 20 minutes. Westcott Bay → English Camp: about 5 minutes. English Camp → Roche Harbor: about 10 minutes. Roche Harbor → Friday Harbor: about 20 minutes.

Where to stay

A hotel or cottage in Friday Harbor — two nights within walking distance of the ferry; book early for summer.

Dinner: McMillin’s Dining Room at Roche Harbor.

Tomorrow: American Camp, the alpacas and the ferry to Orcas.

Bad-weather plan

Wind and rain blow straight onto the Lime Kiln rocks; keep the visit short and spend more time at English Camp, where the trees give shelter, then warm up in the shops at Roche Harbor.

Stay: same base · Anchor: Lime Kiln · Discover Pass for parking

Good to know: Seeing whales from shore is never certain. If the family wants a better chance, book a whale-watching boat from Friday Harbor and check the operator’s age rules first.

Illustration: a child’s hand holding out feed to two curious alpacas over a wooden fence, a red barn and dark firs behind, illustrated day card for Day 3

03Alpacas · to Orcas

Base: check out of Friday Harbor and spend tonight on Orcas Island, near Eastsound or at Rosario. American Camp is about 15 minutes south of town and free. The inter-island ferry to Orcas needs no reservation; check the schedule and be in line early. Pace: busy but gentle: two short stops in the morning, lunch, then a long sit on the ferry.

Breakfast before checkout

Where to eat: Bakery San Juan again, for breakfast and a bag of cookies for the ferry; it opens weekdays at 8 a.m.

American Camp and Cattle Point

“Where are the soldiers?” Gone for 150 years, but the American side of the Pig War is still here: a few white buildings, an old parade ground and open prairie that runs down to the sea. Walk the short path out from the visitor center and watch for rabbits in the grass and eagles overhead. Then drive to South Beach, a long gravel beach facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where kids can throw rocks and hunt for driftwood. At the end of the road, the little Cattle Point Light stands on its point above the tide rips. Expert tip: pack the tide-pool bucket for South Beach and put everything back where you found it.

Alpacas at Krystal Acres

Drive up the island’s west valley to Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, where dozens of alpacas graze in green fields under the firs. They hum. They stare. The kids will want to name every one. Walk the fence line, then go into the barn store, full of soft alpaca-wool hats, socks and toys.

Lunch at the brewery

Where to eat: San Juan Island Brewing Co. in Friday Harbor, for pizza and burgers at family tables, close to the ferry.

The inter-island ferry and Eastsound

Get in line for the inter-island boat to Orcas. The run threads between small islands, and the kids can watch the crew tie up at Shaw or Lopez on some sailings. From the Orcas landing it is about 15 minutes to Eastsound, the island’s village at the head of a long bay. Before dinner, look in at the Orcas Island Historical Museums, a row of old homestead cabins joined together in the middle of the village; check its hours on the site.

Tacos in Eastsound

Where to eat: Mijitas Mexican Kitchen in Eastsound, for tacos and enchiladas on a patio; dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday.

Walk down to the water after dinner. The bay is quiet, the light lasts late in summer, and Mount Constitution is a dark shape above town. That is tomorrow.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Bakery San Juan — breakfast and cookies for the boat, weekdays from 8 a.m. Why here: Near the harbor on checkout morning.
Lunch · San Juan Island Brewing Co. — pizza and burgers at family tables. Why here: In Friday Harbor, close to the inter-island ferry line.
Dinner · Mijitas Mexican Kitchen — tacos and enchiladas on a patio, Tuesday to Saturday. Why here: In Eastsound, an easy first dinner on Orcas.
Quick stop (other): Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm — alpacas in the fields and a barn store, Mon and Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Why here: The animal stop the kids will remember.
Quick stop (other): Orcas Island Historical Museums — homestead cabins joined into one museum in Eastsound; check hours. Why here: A short look at island history before dinner.

Check out early. Load the car before breakfast so the morning stays easy, and give yourself plenty of time to get into the inter-island ferry line.

Friday Harbor → American Camp: about 15 minutes. American Camp → Cattle Point: about 10 minutes. Cattle Point → Krystal Acres: about 25 minutes. Friday Harbor → Orcas: about 1 hour on the inter-island ferry. Orcas landing → Eastsound: about 15 minutes.

Where to stay

Rosario Resort, Orcas Island — one night on East Sound below Moran State Park; or a cottage near Eastsound.

Dinner: Mijitas in Eastsound.

Tomorrow: Mount Constitution and the ferry home.

Bad-weather plan

Rain on the prairie is cold and windy; shorten American Camp to the visitor center and the beach, and give the alpaca barn store and the Orcas museums more time.

Stay: Orcas tonight · Anchor: Krystal Acres · ferry line early

Good to know: Krystal Acres is open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so this Friday plan fits; check its site for seasonal changes.

Illustration: the stone lookout tower on Mount Constitution with tiny figures at the wall, islands scattered in a silver-blue sea below and Mount Baker on the horizon, illustrated day card for Day 4

04Mount Constitution · home

Base: check out after breakfast; tonight is the ferry back to Anacortes, or keep the room for one more night. Moran State Park is about 15 minutes from Eastsound, and parking needs a Discover Pass, $10 for the day. Pace: easy: a drive to the top, a short climb up the tower stairs, a flat lake walk of about 2.5 miles or less, and a long lunch.

Breakfast in Eastsound

Where to eat: Brown Bear Baking in Eastsound, for croissants, morning buns and coffee, open Friday to Monday; go early before the line.

Up Mount Constitution

The road climbs through Moran State Park in tight curves under old firs, about 6 miles to the top of Mount Constitution. From the parking area a short path leads to a stone lookout tower built in the 1930s, like a small castle at the edge of the cliff. “Can we go up?” Yes. Climb the stairs and step out onto the top. The whole map from the last three days is laid out below: the islands floating in a silver sea, the ferry lanes, Mount Baker white on the mainland, and on a clear day the mountains of Vancouver Island. Find Friday Harbor. Find the ferry. Expert tip: go before 10 a.m. on summer weekends, when the small summit lot fills.

Cascade Lake

Drive back down to Cascade Lake, a long, clear lake in the forest by the park entrance. The loop trail around it is flat and shaded, with small beaches where the kids can wade in summer and skip stones the rest of the year. Turn back whenever the legs say so.

Lunch at Rosario

Where to eat: Blackfish Cafe at Rosario Resort, a few minutes from the park, for sandwiches and chowder looking over the water, open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After lunch, walk past the old Moran Mansion and the small marina on the bay.

Dinner and the ferry home

Where to eat: Matia Kitchen in Eastsound, for an early dinner of local fish and vegetables, open Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m.; book ahead.

Then drive the 15 minutes to the Orcas ferry landing for the evening sailing to Anacortes. The boat leaves the islands behind one by one in the last light. Ask the kids which day was their favorite. Expect three different answers.

Where to eat and stop

Breakfast · Brown Bear Baking — croissants and morning buns, Friday to Monday. Why here: In Eastsound, breakfast before the drive up the mountain.
Lunch · Blackfish Cafe at Rosario — sandwiches and chowder over the water, daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Why here: At Rosario, a few minutes from Cascade Lake.
Dinner · Matia Kitchen — local fish and vegetables, Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m.; book ahead. Why here: In Eastsound, an early dinner before the ferry.
Quick stop (viewpoint): Mount Constitution, Moran State Park — the stone lookout tower above the islands; Discover Pass. Why here: The whole trip laid out below like a map.
Quick stop (other): Cascade Lake, Moran State Park — a flat shaded loop and small beaches. Why here: An easy walk and stone-skipping after the summit.

Plan the evening boat first. Reserve the Orcas-to-Anacortes sailing with your outbound booking; if it is late, keep the room on Orcas and leave in the morning instead.

Eastsound → Mount Constitution summit: about 30 minutes. Summit → Cascade Lake: about 20 minutes. Cascade Lake → Rosario: about 10 minutes. Eastsound → Orcas ferry landing: about 15 minutes. Orcas → Anacortes: about 1 hour on the ferry.

Where to stay

Rosario Resort, Orcas Island — check out this morning, or keep the room and take the morning boat.

Dinner: Matia Kitchen in Eastsound, then the ferry.

Home: back in Anacortes tonight.

Bad-weather plan

If cloud sits on Mount Constitution there is nothing to see from the tower; skip it, walk Cascade Lake under the trees, and spend longer at Rosario and in the Eastsound shops.

Stay: check out · Anchor: Mount Constitution · book the boat home

Good to know: Brown Bear Baking opens Friday to Monday and Matia Kitchen Thursday to Sunday, so this Saturday plan fits; check both sites for seasonal hours.

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Plan & pack

Pack for the trip

Fleece and rain jackets for everyone. The ferry deck and the Lime Kiln rocks are windy and cool, even in July.
Binoculars. One pair per child if you can, for whales, seals and eagles.
A tide-pool bucket. For South Beach and the shore; look, then put everything back.
Shoes with grip. The rocks at Lime Kiln are uneven and slick when wet.
Snacks and water for the ferry line. Waits of an hour are normal in summer.
Cards or a small game. For the inside cabin on a rainy crossing.
Sun hats and sunscreen. The sea doubles the glare on clear days.
Ferry and room bookings. Reservation numbers in one note on your phone.

A ferry approaching the Anacortes terminal with forested hills behind — **Leave time for the ferry line: the Anacortes terminal is where every day of the trip begins and ends.** **Anacortes** · approaching the ferry dock, where the trip begins and ends

The small Cattle Point Light on a grassy point at the south end of San Juan Island — **Pack a fleece: the wind off the strait at Cattle Point is cool even in summer.** **Cattle Point** · the little light at the south end of San Juan Island

Illustration: a family island kit on a wooden table, child-size binoculars, a folded fleece, a small tide-pool bucket and net, rain jackets and snacks in a cloth bag beside a folded blank paper map, original illustrated plan card for 4 days in the San Juan Islands — **Original illustration** · binoculars, a fleece and a tide-pool bucket on a wooden table

The islands in one frame

The plan card lays the family kit out on one table: binoculars for whale watching, fleece for the ferry deck, a bucket for the tide pools and snacks for the line. Every stop and meal is in the day-by-day above.

Illustration: a picnic table at an oyster farm on Westcott Bay, oysters on ice with lemon, bread and lemonade, small hands reaching in, a shellfish dock and floating oyster bags with firs beyond, original illustrated recap card — **Original illustration** · an oyster picnic table on Westcott Bay

Where the day ends

The recap card sits the family down at a picnic table by the water: oysters on ice, bread for the picky eaters, lemonade and the bay beyond. The day-by-day has each stop and meal.

Postcards

The San Juans, in frames.

Calm water and shoreline at Westcott Bay on San Juan Island — **Westcott Bay** · the quiet bay on the north end of San Juan Island

Boats in the marina at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island — **Roche Harbor** · the marina on the north end of San Juan Island

Haro Strait seen from the rocky shore at Lime Kiln Point — **Haro Strait** · the water the orcas travel, from the Lime Kiln rocks

Quick answers

Planning notes

How many days do you need in the San Juan Islands with kids?

Plan four days and three nights with kids: two nights on San Juan Island for Friday Harbor, Lime Kiln and the two Pig War camps, then one night on Orcas Island for Mount Constitution. Ferry lines take time, so fewer days feel rushed. See the four-day route.

When can you see whales in the San Juan Islands?

Whales can pass at any time of year, but the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau names April through October as the prime months, especially for orcas. Humpbacks are seen more often from August through October. Visit The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor first, so the kids know what to look for.

Do you need a ferry reservation to take a car to the San Juan Islands?

Reservations are not required but are recommended for cars from Anacortes, and summer sailings fill. Book vehicle space early and arrive 45 to 60 minutes before sailing. Fares are paid westbound and cover the trip home; the inter-island run needs no reservation.

Which San Juan island is best for families?

Start with San Juan Island: Friday Harbor is walkable from the ferry, and it has The Whale Museum, whale watching from shore at Lime Kiln, English Camp and the alpacas at Krystal Acres. Add a night on Orcas Island for Moran State Park and Mount Constitution. See the Lime Kiln day.

What do kids like to do in Friday Harbor?

Kids like The Whale Museum, with its whale skeletons and orca calls, the small aquarium at Spring Street Landing, ice cream on the docks and watching the ferries come in. A short drive away, Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm lets them walk the fence line with the alpacas. See the alpaca day.

Can you see whales from shore with kids?

Yes, sometimes. Lime Kiln Point State Park on the west side of San Juan Island, also called Whale Watch Park, is the classic spot, with rocks above Haro Strait where orcas can pass close. Seals and porpoises are more common. Bring binoculars, snacks and patience, and park with a Discover Pass.

How early should you get to the Anacortes ferry?

Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your sailing if you hold a vehicle reservation, and earlier on summer weekends. Washington State Ferries runs seasonal schedules, so check the current timetable before you leave. For the trip home, book the Orcas or Friday Harbor sailing when you book the trip out.

Before you set off — the official checks

Ferry schedules, park fees and opening days change. Confirm current details on the sites listed under official links.

Washington State Ferries — Reserve vehicle space and arrive 45 to 60 minutes early; check the seasonal schedule. WSF ↗
Lime Kiln Point State Park — Open 8 a.m. to dusk; Discover Pass for parking. Lime Kiln Point ↗
The Whale Museum — Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check admission before you go. The Whale Museum ↗
Weather — Check wind and rain before the ferry days. National Weather Service ↗

Plan with confidence

Official Links

Official sites to plan and verify the details in this guide.

Washington State Ferries ↗Schedules and vehicle reservations

San Juan Island National Historical Park ↗English Camp and American Camp

Lime Kiln Point State Park ↗Hours, fees and the lighthouse

Moran State Park ↗Mount Constitution and Cascade Lake

The Whale Museum ↗Hours and admission

San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau ↗Trip planning FAQ

National Weather Service Seattle ↗Forecasts and alerts

Reviewed Oct 23, 2026How we verify

Conditions and prices can change.

References

Research behind this guide

The reporting and research that shaped this itinerary.

Frequently asked questions ↗San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

Fees and passes ↗National Park Service

Photo credits

Photos via Wikimedia Commons, resized and converted to WebP. The illustrated cover, day cards, plan card and recap card are this guide’s original itinerary artwork, illustrated from the credited photos listed here.

Lime Kiln Lighthouse — photo by Glenn Gilbert, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0); it is also the basis of the Cover and Cover web illustrations, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Friday Harbor — photo by Kgrr (cc) 2007 by Konrad Roeder, CC BY 2.5; it is also the basis of the Day 1 card illustration
English Camp blockhouse — photo by photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0); it is also the basis of the Day 2 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Eastsound harbor — photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0); it is also the basis of the Day 3 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
View from Mount Constitution — photo by Steve Voght, CC BY-SA 2.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0); it is also the basis of the Day 4 card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Anacortes ferry dock — photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0); it is also the basis of the Packing card illustration, shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cattle Point — photo by Buidhe, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Westcott Bay — photo by Dclemens1971, CC BY 4.0
Roche Harbor — photo by photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Haro Strait — photo by Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Friday Harbor waterfront — photo by Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hotel de Haro — photo by Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cascade Lake — photo by stevevoght, CC BY-SA 2.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Harbor seal — photo by photo by Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0; this resized copy is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Route map — original illustrated route artwork for this guide; stop locations from OpenStreetMap

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The trip in 60 seconds

Postcards from the trip

Four days in the San Juan Islands with kids: ferries, whales and a castle-like tower.

Day-by-day summary

Four days, two islands, three ferry rides

Day 1 · Anacortes and Friday Harbor—Breakfast in Anacortes, the morning ferry through the islands to Friday Harbor, fish and chips on the harbor, The Whale Museum and dinner overlooking the boats.

Day 2 · Lime Kiln, English Camp and Roche Harbor—Pastries in Friday Harbor, a long watch for orcas from the rocks at Lime Kiln, oysters at Westcott Bay, the blockhouse and garden at English Camp, and dinner at Roche Harbor.

Day 3 · American Camp, the alpacas and Orcas—Breakfast in Friday Harbor, the prairie and beach at American Camp, alpacas at Krystal Acres, lunch at the brewery, then the inter-island ferry to Orcas, the island museums in Eastsound and tacos for dinner.

Day 4 · Moran State Park and Mount Constitution—Breakfast at a bakery in Eastsound, the drive up to the stone tower on Mount Constitution, a lakeside walk at Cascade Lake, lunch at Rosario, dinner in Eastsound and the evening ferry back to Anacortes.

A plan that knows how you travel.

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Art & photos

Planning

Your plan, your way

Art & photos

Planning

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Our promise

Who is Earth Adventure Travel?

Plan & pack

Pack for the trip

The islands in one frame

Where the day ends

The San Juans, in frames.

Planning notes

Before you set off — the official checks

More Northwest islands, coast and mountains.

Olympic National Park in 6 Days

Leavenworth at Christmas

Cannon Beach for Two

Bend with Friends

Official Links

Research behind this guide

Photo credits

Choose the landscape. Then choose the pace.

No exact match—yet.