Crescent Beach is one of two public beaches on Orcas Island. This is not your typical beach. The…read morebeach is very rocky and mossy, which makes it not suitable for sitting. My husband and I saw lots of people kayaking from this beach since there are no waves. We also saw lots of ducks, geese, and seagulls walking along the shore. The beach also includes a nice trail that goes inland. It is a nice, not crowded trail which makes it perfect for walking or running. You are also able to park right next to the trailhead if you do not park at the beach. Very beautiful. Perfect place to sit and watch the wildlife, go for a walk/run, and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Crescent Beach Preserve has both beach and wetland trails to explore. I walked along the beach to…read moreone end of the preserve, then partway to the other end of the preserve. I saw crows, seagulls, and Canadian Geese as well as what looked like some beautiful sandstone sea cliffs from afar. I appreciate that collection from the beach is not allowed, it was incredible to see so many purple shells along the shore. Lovely place to go for a walk even on a windy day. The parking lots along Crescent Beach Road overlook the beach, making them scenic places to sit and watch the water and wildlife while staying in your vehicle.

One of my favorite parks in the San Juans for hiking, kayaking and boating. Beautiful views all…read morearound, and the wildlife from eagles to seals to whales is awe-inspiring. If you have an opportunity to travel here, go for it!

If you have a boat (or, even better, a friend with a boat) and you live anywhere in the vicinity of…read morethe San Juan Islands then fill 'er up and head on over to Sucia Island State Park. I recently was invited out with some friends on their new boat (did I mention how lucky I feel sometimes?) and we had an AMAZING day tied up at the main dock, barbecuing fresh salmon, tossing back a few cold ones, playing some cards, and enjoying a nice relaxing Sunday on the island. There's a lot to love about Sucia. It's isolated (accessible only by boat), uncrowded (because, let's face it, not everybody has a boat), unscathed, and beautiful...yet still has a few "creature comforts" that we semi-outdoorsy types love (like pit toilets, picnic tables, and even cell phone service). If you don't have a boat you can catch one from Orcas or another nearby island - some will even haul your kayak over, too, so you can enjoy some quality time paddling around the island and its beautiful inlets and bays. There are also several lovely campsites right by the main boating dock - can't wait to get back here with my tent, my kayak, and a good book or two. Just remember, if you go on a weekend day get here early for the best spot at the dock!

This was my third visit to Lummi Island, but my first visit to Sunset Beach on 10/22/20…read more Sunset Beach is located diagonal from The Willows Inn, well marked from the main road, with decent trail access to the beach, but not ADA for wheelchairs/walkers. I purposefully took a much earlier ferry to Lummi Island to guarantee time on the beach. No amenties like picnic benches, bathrooms, or BBQ/fire pits at this pocket beach. Well kept, no litter. Just you communing with nature. It was a sunny autumn day with a brisk wind. Beautiful views. Walked along the beach. Collected tiny rocks of interest. Chatted briefly with a guy mooring his small boat. Perched on a log soaking up the sun. Glorious.

Sunset Beach is very nice beach to enjoy the sunset on Lummi. You can clearly see both Orcas and…read moreSucia islands. It is a small beach and there are lots of signs on different entrances showing "private" so please make sure to use the access available to public. While at it you can also check out one of the finest restaurants in PNW called "Willow Inn" but you do need to make a reservation for dinner.

Being a few weeks removed from my day here helps me appreciate this lil' park for what it is. You…read moresee, I did not have the most five-star experience here, but that's unique to my visit. I'll spare the details as they're not relevant to the park, but it involved my very active dog and a very expensive camera lens. So what can I say about Obstruction Pass that is relevant? Well, it's a tiny little park. But almost everyone I spoke to about my time on Orcas said they actually like it more than its big neighbor Moran, to the north. Situated on the southern tip of the eastern point of Orcas Island, it only occupies 80 acres. But among that 80 acres is a bit of precious beachfront; some of the only public beach space on the island of private developments and no trespassing signs. These are San Juan island beaches, so you'll find millions of rounded pebbles, not sand, lest you imagine frolicking barefoot down the beach. To reach the beach, you have to hike. There's a shorter trail than sort of hugs the seashore, and a longer one that goes over land and abuts private property. I took the wooded longer one to the north on the way in, then the beach-hugger on the way out. It's a short hike, not too strenuous, but it's certainly not ADA approved and it will take you a little time to reach the waters. The park features the trail, beach, a small campground, and restrooms. You access the beach down a couple of staircases, and the thick woods above provide lots of shade. I was here in the dead of winter, but even then I shared the beach with a very loud family, and a couple of other parties. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Be careful on those rocks. If you're, say, carrying a full camera and tripod rig and slip, you'll bounce all the way down the rocks into the water. Probably. And then, after your dog damaged your lens before, and you ended up falling into the water, you'll just pack up and get back to your car and call it a day.

Situated at one tip of Orcas Island, Obstruction Pass State Park is home to campers and…read moreshort-duration hikers. This is a great (less than) a mile hike to the beach and back with a pretty PNW view. Its not as big and majestic as Moren State Park, but its a great feeler for Orcas Island, and because of the size, you will notice more people around, when there are people around. We did this as a group of 6, quick in and out on our first day here. We saw a boat parked out on the water and a little house situated by the water. We didn't see many hikers here when we went on a late Saturday afternoon, but we saw a number of campers. *Porta potty's were available

Lovely beach! Great expansive views! Saw some bald eagles…read moreflying around here. Such a peaceful place to just kick back and listen to the waves. Bathrooms were relatively clean.

Loved our visit to South Beach at San Juan. It's certainly not your lay in the sun beach, but there…read moreare beautiful meadows around you, vast beaches with almost no one around, and the crisp island air all around you. What could be better? You could easily spend 30 minutes or a whole day here.

best spot in Washington that I found in a whim for watching the sun set. easy to park here...just a…read morelot of roundabouts that you have to take if you decide to go here. and lots of sharp turns in the road as you progressively go downhill. be careful as you do so! I went here around winter time, so it was so cold that I did not want to get out of my car. the beach was...meh. gravel instead of sand. I really recommend that you just come here with your car so that you can sit in and admire from afar.

North Beach Outlook is an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse at some of the most beautiful…read morecoastline on the island. These public coastal access points are one of my favorite amenities in the San Juan Islands. There is plenty of parking available, and the public beach access is about 100 feet wide. Visitors will find driftwood logs, and excellent views of the bay. The beach itself is comprised of large, round pebbles that make it difficult to walk without shoes. But there are many beautiful speckled stones, and twisted and whitewashed pieces of driftwood to look at. This beach is an excellent option for those wanting to steer clear of tourists and crowds.

If you're looking for a scenic, low-pressure walking spot--this is it…read more The trails are mostly flat and well-maintained, making them perfect for casual walks, long reflective strolls, or gentle exercise.Wildlife is part of the experience: ducks, geese, and other birds often hang around the water, making the walk feel alive but still peaceful. Why it's a great walking spot: * Flat, beginner-friendly trails * Beautiful sunsets and open landscapes * Calm, nature-filled atmosphere * Great for solo walks or slow catch-ups with a friend * Easy place to clear your head after a long day If your goal is movement without pressure--and views that make you want to keep walking a little longer--Boundary Bay is absolutely worth it.

Amazing beach to explore various sea creatures. Found dungeness crabs, fish, clams, sand dollar…read more Small area dogs are not allowed and the rest are open to explore and run freely. Highly recommend!

This part is a real little gem for the community of South Delta. It was built I would say at least…read more15 years ago around the same time when there was the controversy over the Hydro lines connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island. It was decided as a result of the construction of those underwater and underground powerlines that apartment should be built here so everyone can enjoy this amazing view. This place is really popular all throughout the year. You can come here in the summertime to enjoy spectacular sunsets more in the winter time to enjoy that ferocity of the northwesterly wins with the latest storm. For those who are feeling a little more daring you can tackle the 326 step staircase that leads all the way down to the beach. And if you're feeling really up to it you can walk along the beach all the way to the ferry terminal. That will give your legs a good work out after eating a burger on the ferry ride. My only criticism of this location is that it is really small. But even in recent years the municipality of Delta has added more bike racks and new picnic tables.

What a great spot to stop in, especially if you have been riding the ferry for over 40 years like…read moreme, gives a whole new perspective on the Tsawwassen ferry terminal

There are really no words to describe how amazing it is to live a mere half-hour boat ride from…read morethis tiny little island state park where you can drop an anchor in its secluded harbor, find a waterfront campsite, and spend the weekend patting yourself on the back for how damn lucky you are to live here. Patos is one of the smaller of the public islands in the San Juans, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stunning sunsets and beautiful, easy-to-access beaches full of driftwood and tide pools. The level path around the island can be easily walked in well under an hour, and there's a quaint, historic lighthouse you can tour when it's open on weekends. There are even pit toilets in a couple of spots around the island, and each campsite features a picnic table and fire ring for the low-low price of $12/night. What the island doesn't have is running water of any kind, so be sure to come prepared.

One of my favorite camping islands in the San Juans…read more The main camping area is located at the west end of the island near the cove between Patos island and Little Patos island. At the east end of the island there are a couple of small coves that you can anchor in, but there are no campsites on the east end of the island. I have been coming to Patos Island for over 20 years, and it has changed very little in that time. Sure they have installed new vault toilets that are much nicer than the old ones, and the old dock that was quite unstable has been torn down. The old military barracks that were out by the lighthouse have been removed, and the lighthouse has been opened up for tours now. Besides that the camp sites and general feel of the island is the same. The only way to get to this island is by boat, there are no houses (besides the lighthouse) on the island, no roads, no cars, and no running water. This island has quite a history, much of that is covered in a book called The Light On The Island which is an great read if you are visiting the island. The book was written in the 1950's by the daughter of the lighthouse keeper who lived there from 1905 to 1930. The harbor between Patos island and Little Patos can be a challenge to anchor in (I haven't had a problem but I have seen others have trouble). There are 2 buoys that you can pay a fee to tie up to, or you can drop your own anchor. As the tide comes and goes, the current can get quite strong closer to beach area by the campsites. On more than one occasion I have seen someone anchor close to the beach with a rope running to shore tied to a tree or log. Not such a good idea because people who do that usually end up with their boat on the beach when the tide goes out. The harbor is very shallow at low tide, 4 to 5 feet deep in many areas, but as you get out towards the anchoring buoys it gets deeper. From the campground you can see a variety of wildlife, some amazing eagles, or annoying wasps and yellow jackets. One night while camping we awoke to Orcas splashing in the water right next to the campsite. You may occasionally spot a river otter in the bay, or porpoise off shore. Be sure to take the short walk to the lighthouse, it can be amazing at sunset. As you approach the lighthouse in the large grassy field, you may notice some cement footings from old buildings, the ones right near the cement Patos Island sign are the footings from the original lighthouse keepers house which burnt down years ago. Any cement footings at the edge of the grassy field by the trees are of the old military barracks that where on the island. Scuba diving is amazing along the south side of the island, with amazing sea life to be seen. Beware of the currents, it can get a bit strong, but if you are up for a drift dive with a live boat, it can be an amazing ride. Keep in mind that there is no running water on the island so you need to bring fresh water with you. The closest place to refill if you need more water is on Sucia island.

This is one of the best holiday cabins we stayed in. We stayed in west sound house which is a…read morebeautiful vintage home. There is everything you need for a relaxing holiday. The living room dining room, a small window in the bedroom and the kitchen stove overlooks the water. You can spend so much time just at the property. The house has tv, board games, kayaks, barbecue grill, fire pit. When the sky is clear you can just sit with a bonfire and stargaze. The house is so very well maintained m. Jennifer is a wonderful host. You can also see amazing sunset from this property. We would love to go back here and explore the heather cabin which sits just on the edge and has breathtaking views of the water

We stayed in the Heather Cabin at Cabins-on-the-Point on Orcas Island between 9/6 - 9/9/2019. It…read morewas a quiet, relaxing, and wonderful experience - a place to unplug, unwind, relax, and experience nature. The Heather Cabin appears to have been built perhaps in the 1930's and retains its vintage charm. The Heather Cabin is very well maintained and has everything you need to be comfortable. The cabin is right on the water and the views are amazing and ever changing between morning, during the day, and at sunset. And you can enjoy the view from the picture window bedroom, from the many windows in the living room, and from vantage points just right outside the Cabin. Pictures describe better than words do, so here are some photos from our stay. Thank you, Cabins-on-the-Point. We'll be back.