Salish Sea · Washington

San Juan Island
Weekend

A three-day escape to Friday Harbor — whale watching on the water, paddleboarding in Griffin Bay, island hikes, and slow sunsets over the Strait.

Fri Jul 10 → Sun Jul 12, 2026 · from Seattle
📍Live plan · maps & detailsOpen in Wanderlog→
Home base
Friday Harbor Suites
680 Spring St · in 4 PM / out 11 AM
The anchor
Whale Watching
San Juan Safaris · Sat 12:30 PM
On the water
Paddleboard
Own SUP · Jackson Beach, shore-hug
Weather
Dry & mild
67–68°F · sunset ~9:11 PM
Your stay · 2 nights

Friday Harbor Suites

📍 680 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Check-inFri Jul 10 · 4 PM
→
Check-outSun Jul 12 · 11 AM
Rooms2 · Suite, 2 Queen Beds
Guests5 adults
PerkFree airport shuttle
CancellationFree until Jul 3, 12 PM
Booked byPatricia Jaimes
Expedia itinerary73484448947495

01 The Itinerary

Color-coded by day. Times are planned windows — the Saturday whale tour is the fixed anchor; everything else flexes around it.

Friday · July 10
Arrive & settle
2:00 PM3:10 PM

Ferry · Anacortes → Friday Harbor

Vessel Samish · ~70 min crossing · reservation confirmed
2100 Ferry Terminal Rd, Anacortes, WA 98221
Leave Seattle ~10:15 AMTerminal by 12:45–1 PM
4:00 PM4:45 PM

San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA)

540 Spring St · 2-min walk from the stay · $10
MuseumCloses 5 PM
5:15 PM6:45 PM

Jackson Beach · Paddleboard

Your own inflatable SUP · free parking, boat ramp, restrooms
1884 Argyle Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Griffin Bay (protected)PFD + leash
No-wetsuit safest plan: shore-hug only, stay shallow, 30–45 min. Go only if wind ≤ 8–10 mph, no whitecaps. Water ~50°F — dry clothes & towel in the car.
7:15 PM8:45 PM

Dinner · Coho Restaurant

120 Nichols St · farm-to-table · reserve ahead (phone)
Walkable
9:00 PM9:45 PM

South Beach · Sunset

American Camp (free) · longest beach on the island · sunset ~9:11 PM
South Beach, Cattle Point Rd, American Camp, Friday Harbor
Beach sunset #1Bring a windbreaker
Saturday · July 11
Whales & trails
10:15 AM11:15 AM

The Whale Museum

62 First St N · $13 · a perfect primer before the boat
Museum
Optional earlier: a calm-morning Jackson Beach SUP (8:00–10:15 AM) — only if glassy, off the water by 10:15 to protect the tour.
12:30 PM4:00 PM

San Juan Safaris · Whale Watching

10 Front St · 3–4 hrs · $125 · check in ~11:50 AM
THE ANCHORWarm layers + binoculars
Alternative: Maya's Legacy Whale Watching — small group (~6), more intimate/photography-friendly. Use if you prefer a smaller boat or Safaris is full.
5:00 PM7:00 PM

Mount Finlayson · Hike

American Camp (free) · 4 mi loop · ~450 ft · easy–moderate
Jakle's Lagoon / Mt Finlayson trailhead, Cattle Point Rd, American Camp
Strait & Olympics viewsFoxes at dusk
◎ AllTrails · Mount Finlayson
8:30 PM9:30 PM

Lime Kiln Point · Sunset & shore whales

"Whale Watch Park" · 1919 lighthouse · Discover Pass $10
1567 West Side Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Beach sunset #2Gate closes at dusk
◎ AllTrails · Lime Kiln Loop
Sunday · July 12
Early ferry home
8:05 AM9:15 AM

Ferry · Friday Harbor → Anacortes

Vessel Yakima · direct · reservation confirmed
91 Front St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
In line by 7:15–7:20 AMTollbooth by 7:35 AM
9:45 AM10:30 AM

Breakfast · Calico Cupboard, Anacortes

901 Commercial Ave · scratch bakery · right on the route home
On the way
~11:30AM

Back in Seattle

1430 Summit Ave · ~1h45–2h drive from Anacortes

02 Ferry & Reservations

Washington State Ferries · Anacortes ⟷ Friday Harbor. A reservation is not a ticket — fare is paid at the tollbooth.

Friday · Outbound
Anacortes → Friday Harbor
2:00 PM → 3:10 PM
Vessel
Samish
Confirmation
8596-8148-26
Res / barcode
60036606
Sunday · Return
Friday Harbor → Anacortes
8:05 AM → 9:15 AM
Vessel
Yakima
Confirmation
8163-5411-26
Res / barcode
60036766
• Fare ~$104.25 (car <22 ft + 2 adults), paid at Anacortes · +3% card fee
• No-show fee $19 if not cancelled by 5 PM the day before
• Terminal: 2100 Ferry Terminal Rd, Anacortes (~4 mi west of town)
• Friday Harbor terminal: 91 Front St
• Arrive end-of-line 45–60 min early in summer
• Reserve/manage: wsdot.wa.gov

03 Where to Go & Eat

Saved spots, grouped. Tap any place to open it in Google Maps.

🐋 Whale & sights

⛰️ Hikes

🏖️ Beaches

🍽️ Food & drink

🛍️ Shopping & thrift

✨ Optional add-ons

04 Don't Forget

The boat and the water are cold even on a warm day.

Pack list
Warm layersWind / rain shellQuick-dry SUP clothesPFD + leashDry bag + whistleTowel & dry changeBinocularsSunscreen + hatClosed shoesDiscover Pass ($10)Water bottle