Land and Sea Adventure
San Juan Islands Multisport

Resources

Weather
The San Juan Islands are drier than Seattle, because their position near the Olympic Mountains leaves them in a partial rain shadow.  July and August are the warmest and driest months, averaging only an inch of rain per month, with highs around 70.  Fog can form around the islands, but usually burns off by afternoon.

    Weather averages - Eastsound (Orcas Island)
    Current forecast - Friday Harbor (San Juan Island)


Trip goodies
Find assorted goodies related to your trip in our
San Juan Islands store...


Reading list
Recommended reading for your San Juan Islands adventure.  Get more out of your trip by reading up beforehand.


Orcas, Eagles & Kings: Georgia Strait & Puget Sound - Steve Yates, 236 pp. Natural history of the region with 180 color photographs and easy to read text.  * A personal favorite - spectacular!


Pig War Islands: The San Juans of Northwest Washington - David Richardson, 362 pp.  The story of the San Juans Islands, from the Pig War to rum-runners, murderers, and  today's environmental challenges.


Birding in the San Juan Islands -  Mark Lewis & Fred Sharpe, 219 pp. Guide to the many birds of the islands, written for visitors, residents, beginning birders, and experts.



Killer Whales (World Life Library) - Sara Heimlich-Boran, 72 pp.  Documents the amazing features and habits of orca whales, and the issues facing them today.


Steps and Exes : A Novel of Family - Laura Kalpakian,321 pp.  A novel set in the San Juans, on imaginary Isadora Island.  Celia, a "grande dame" holdout from the 60's runs a quirky B & B.


Plants of the Gulf and San Juan Islands and Southern Vancouver Island - Collin Varner, 192pp. Pocket size guide that covers 150+ plants found in the islands, with descriptions, habitats & native uses.


Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory: The Archaeology of San Juan Island - Julie Stein, 168 pp. Non-technical, illustrated history of the Coast Salish people's 5000 years in the San Juan Islands.


Nautical Highways: Ferries of the San Juan Islands - Robert Demar, 72 pp. Art book that captures the charm of the San Juan island ferries in black & white photographs.


The Highest Tide - Jim Lynch, 272 pp.  Novel about a 13-year old boy who lives on the edge of Puget Sound, and his adventures exploring the tidal areas around him, and discovering the strange life forms there.


Field Guide to the Orca (Sasquatch Field Guide Series) - American Cetacean Society, 50 pp. Field guide to "the gentle art of whale watching", with lots of tips and information on orcas (killer whales).


Birds of Washington Field Guide - Stan Tekiela, 329 pp. Field guide to identifying many of the common birds of Washington state, with color pictures and descriptive text to aid in identification.


Useful links
    Island Cam - live images from the islands
    Whale museum - info on orcas and other sea life


Want to know more?
Click here to get a detailed itinerary for this trip, or
call 866-419-3624, and we'll get it right off to you.