Friday Harbor Things to Do

If you like whale watching, then you will end up in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. San Juan Island is where the resident orcas are seen most of the summer. Sometimes they are near the island , but frequently they are not. The trip I was on they were off of Stuart Island. So even though people say you can see them from land, you could stand there days and still never see them. Anyway, my family and I had a great time, took some good photos, learned a lot and saw lots of birds, seals and some porpoise the day we went out. I would highly recommend whale watching and the company we went with San Juan Safaris.

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Take the road to Limekiln State Park and be attentive on the way maybe you see wales even before you reach the park. That is what happened to us. We noticed a photographer on the cliffs so we pulled over and there they were jumping in the waters. The sound they make is amazing.. LImekiln Park has a nice walk with beautiful views to the Lighthouse.

I just got back from a phenomenal sea kayaking trip with Sea Quest, one of the many sea kayaking companies in this area. They totally stood out against the other outfitters though, they only have trained biologists with degrees as guides on their trips. I feel like I learned so much on my trip, from the peeling bark of the Madrona Trees to the difference between resident and transient orcas. I didn't even know that the residents don't eat large mammals like seals, which is what I've always pictured. This trip blew me out of the water by how informed my guide was and how much fun I had. If anyone is going sea kayaking around Friday Harbor, definitely choose Sea Quest!

This trip that I took my family on was fantastic! Sea Quest Expeditions had the lowest price that I could find, but had the most professional service. A great guide with plenty of experience and is a marine biologist as well! They take great pride in their work and in the comfort and fun of their clients! My kids were astonished to see all the whales and were quite eager to hear the many stories from our guide regarding the marine life.

A first rate experience that I heartily recommend for anyone!

I took a really expensive..and short trip with Crystal Seas. I take people on photographic trips and was taking a trip to look into good activities and thought despite the high price it must be worth it to be able to paddle out along the coast. We didn't...we paddled around the bay...sort of like a very, very expensive paddle boat ride in the local pond. The reason was the "currents". I saw many other trips out around the island that day. I called to express my concern and was told the manager would return my call. He never did and when I called again, I was told that he didn't think my call was worth returning. I would never use this company for any trip and will be vocal with those I share information with. Save your money...take a drive or a hike, you will see as much believe me.

Check into the company...there are some great trips and I see people taking full day trips with lunch for the same price I paid Crystal Seas for 21/2 hours...and we didn't go anywhere!

Just west of town is the Lavender farm. They have two dozen different types of lavender and hundreds of products made with lavender, including tea, bisquits, short bread, and other baked items. We had the tea and short bread. I wasn't impressed and felt like I had just bit into my grandmothers hankerchief. She used some lavender perfume. The varieties of plants were nice, but I'm not big on perfumes and cologne.

Across the island from Friday Harbor is the San Juan City Park. Like Lime Kiln Lighthouse, it is a great place for Sunsets and whale watching. Neither of which we stayed for while we were visiting. The park is also a kayak access to the water. We saw many groups of kaykers, not all of which were using the park for water access. Several had just stopped for lunch and were working their way around the island. For more pictures, see my San Juan City Park travelogue.

"Sit right back and I'll tell you of a fateful trip we took. A three hour tour!" That's how the television show 'Gilligan's Island' started each week in the 70's. This too was a three hour tour to see whales. The Captain tried, but they can't guarentee it. Instead we saw seals and otters, but no whales. In spite of that we had a great time out on Puget Sound, or at least Haro Straits, if not actually the sound. The air was fresh, the breeze was stiff the cabin warm and the upper deck had a view over miles of salt water.

Coming and going the point of land that marked the edge of safe water was Cattle Point Light. It's the southern tip of San Juan Island. It got it's name when a ship carrying live cattle lost a large number over the side in rought water. All but 1 or 2 made it to land on this point. It's been Cattle Point ever since.