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Quintessential Summer Activities in the San Juan Islands

A kayaker paddles into the distance while enjoying one of the San Juan Islands' many activities.

With warm weather, lots of sunshine, and miles of shimmering waters, the San Juan Islands are an outdoor lover’s summer dream. The San Juan Islands features three main islands: San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez, and there are so many unique adventures to be had on them. You can go kayaking on the water, learn about the rich history of the Islands, enjoy delicious seafood, and much more! There is truly something for everyone in the San Juan Islands. 

Insider’s Guide to Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands

Several passengers aboard a small cruise ship enjoying a whale watching adventure off the coast of San Juan Island, Washington.

The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. Visitors can also see humpbacks, minkes, and the occasional gray whale. Here at Northwest Island Escapes, we recommend booking a whale-watching tour to get the best experience. A major perk of doing a tour instead of trying to find these beautiful creatures yourself is that they are pros at finding likely locations for whale watching due to their spotting network. In addition, tours have a certified naturalist or trained captain on board to point out wildlife and describe their behaviors.