Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is the main city on San Juan Island, the most populous of the San Juan Islands. It is also the county seat of San Juan County. Friday Harbor is quite commercially developed, considering its remoteness, and offers more of a laid-back, country club vibe than one of a fishing community. == Get in == === By ferry === Washington State Ferries operates the Anacortes / San Juan Islands route: 1 Friday Harbor Terminal, 91 Front St, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1 888 808-7977. The sole ferry terminal for San Juan Island (updated Jun 2025) The ferry also makes stops at: Anacortes Terminal on the mainland, about 1½ hours north of Seattle. This is the only easy way to take a car to the islands. Anacortes Terminal is connected by public bus to Mount Vernon and the rest of mainland, and by private shuttle directly to Seattle and SeaTac Airport. Lopez Island, at its northern tip, about 4 mi (6.4 km) from Lopez Village Shaw Island, near its northeast corner Orcas Island, at Orcas Village The ferry schedule is complicated. There's a sailing about once an hour in the summer, a little less often in the winter. One vessel makes several interisland loops, while the other vessels run from Anacortes to one or more islands and back. Reservations are recommended for the San Juan Islands ferry, especially for summer weekends, when the wait for loading cars can be notoriously long. It is not unusual to wait in line for many hours, and missing the last ferry can mean a desperate search for accommodations to spend an unplanned night on the islands. Walk-on passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing. Vehicle traffic should arrive at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, or 90 minutes during peak afternoon and weekend sailing. The Sidney (BC)-Anacortes ferry service, serving Friday Harbor, has been suspended] and will not resume until at least 2030. === By private boat === 2 Friday Harbor Marina, 204 Front St, ☏ +1 360 378-2688. Over 100 slips available for overnight visitors. (updated Jun 2025) Friday Harbor is an official U.S. ports-of-entry and can process boaters through customs. The Cardinal Rule is touch land at customs dock before any other stops, fines for not doing so can be up to $5000. Besides a passport for everyone on board, you will need your boat's license number and User Fee Decal number. Customs enforces USDA guidelines for what foods are acceptable to bring into the country and these guidelines are constantly changing so it is best to check in with them before arriving. Boaters are responsible for knowing the prohibited foods and can be fined for not declaring them. === By seaplane === Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, fax: +1 425-485-4774, reservations@KenmoreAir.com. Kenmore Air seaplanes make up to seven flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to Friday Harbor Marina (as well as to Roche Harbor Marina at the northwest corner of San Juan Island. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI IATA) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD IATA). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139. === By plane === 3 Friday Harbor Airport (FRD IATA), 800 Franklin Rd, ☏ +1 360 378-4724. Friday Harbor has a well-equipped though modest airport. Kenmore Air serves Seattle Boeing Field airport directly (35 minute flight). It is a US Customs Port of Entry, so it can be your first stop from Canada by personal aircraft. (updated Jun 2025) === By bus === Island Airporter, ☏ +1 360 378-7438. Departs Sea-Tac International Airport M-Sa at noon. Island Airport runs one trip each day to/from Sea-Tac Airport to two locations on the San Juan Islands including Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Ferry boarding is guaranteed and the trip is scheduled to take 3 hr 45 min. $70-90 + $6.55 ferry pass. == Get around == Everything is within walking distance from the harbor. For those arriving by ferry, there are plenty of places to eat and things to do to spend a day or two. M&W Auto, 725 Spring St, ☏ +1 360 378-2794. Closed Sundays. A car can be returned at any time on Sunday when the dealership is closed. === By bus === San Juan Transit, (office) 10 Front St (Canary Landing), ☏ +1 360 378-8887, sjtransit@rockisland.com. A private bus service that covers almost all points of interest on San Juan Island, and drivers can stop almost anywhere along the route. From Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, there is a departure about every hour between 9AM-6PM in summer, less frequently during the off-season. Some buses meet the ferries and will wait if a ferry is coming in; however check the schedules ahead of time. They also offer chartered services for group travel and guided bus tours for up to 29 people. $8 each boarding, $15 RT, $20 day pass. (updated Jun 2025) == See == === In town === 1 The Whale Museum, 62 1st St, ☏ +1-800-946-7227 ext 30. Memorial Day-early Octː daily 9AM-6PM. Rest of yearː daily 10AM-4PM. Exhibits include life-sized whale models, articulated skeletons, information on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales' family groups (pods), and current scientific research on local species. Other exhibits feature pinnipeds, porpoises and other marine mammals of the Salish Sea, wildlife videos, and Northwest Native American culture and artifacts relating to marine mammals. Adults $9, seniors $6, youth/students $4, Kids under 5, Free. (updated Jun 2018) 2 San Juan Islands Museum of Art, 540 Spring St, ☏ +1 360 370-5050. $10, children 18 and younger free. Mondays are "pay what you can". (updated Jun 2018) The Waterfront — Watch the majestic Washington State Ferries sweeping in and out of Friday Harbor. Produces no waves even at 25 knots speed! Watch the take-off and landing of seaplanes from the south edge of harbor. === Nearby === Friday Harbor makes a great base for exploring the east side of San Juan Island: 3 Friday Harbor Laboratories, 620 University Rd (2.5 miles north of Friday Harbor), ☏ +1 360 378-2165. Friday Harbor houses one of the oldest and most famous marine research institutions, Friday Harbor Laboratories (or Labs, as it better known to locals). Situated inside University of Washington Biological Reserve, you will see island raccoons, tree frogs, banana slugs, Columbian black-tailed deer, Norway rat, White-footed mouse etc. (updated May 2020) The laboratories are located on a 476-acre biological preserve which is open to the public for day-use. Public visitors are asked to check in at the Office before exploring the Preserve and to stay on the well-traveled, wide, fire-access road (the “fire trail”). The shore trail splits from the fire trail and goes along the coastline. San Juan Island National Historical Park, ☏ +1 360-378-2240. The United States and Great Britain once made overlapping claims on the San Juan Islands. In 1859, they nearly went to war over a dead pig. Both established a military presence on the island, which are now preserved by this park. (updated May 2023) 4 American Camp Visitor Center, 4668 Cattle Point Rd, ☏ +1 360 378-2240 ext 2226. 10AM-3PM, closed Wednesdays. The main park visitor center has exhibits, park film, a bookstore, and rangers on hand. You can visit the original officer’s quarters, the Redoubt, and the Laundress Quarters, and several hiking trails originate here. Free. (updated Jun 2025) 5 Cattle Point NRCA, Cattle Point Rd (past American Camp). Cattle Point and its old lighthouse overlook the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Cattle Pass. On a clear, beautiful day you can feel the wind of the Pacific and see across the strait to the Olympic Peninsula. Discover Pass required. (updated Mar 2015) == Do == === Kayaking === There are several kayaking tour organizers in the town. Typically costs $85 for one day trips up to $150 per day for camping tours. Discovery Sea Kayak Tours, 260 Spring St #1, ☏ +1 360-378-2559, info@discoveryseakayak.com. With a location downtown where the ferry drops you off. Discovery Sea Kayaks has been running tours with routes that deliver the opportunity to see one of the three Orca Pods that travel their region. Experienced naturalist guides provide a safe and educational kayak adventure. (updated May 2023) === Whale watching === The west coast of the island is famous for whale watching. You can get all relevant information in a couple of tourist centers, or take one of the several cruises from Friday Harbor. San Juan Safaris Whale Watching, 2 Spring Street Landing (steps from the ferry), toll-free: +1-800-450-6858, Fun@SanJuanSafaris.com. 8AM to 8PM. see wild orca whales (more than 80 resident orcas), seals, porpoise, dolphin, eagles, blue heron, rafts of sea birds. A fast 55-foot boat with large windowed cabin, walk around deck and bathroom. Excellent reputation for respectful wildlife viewing. $49 and up. (updated May 2023) == Buy == 1 Friday Harbor Market Place, 515 Market St, ☏ +1 360 378-3238. M-Sa 8AM-6PM. 2 Funk and Junk Antiques, 85 Nichols St (2 blocks up from ferry), ☏ +1 360 378-2638. Daily 11AM-5:30PM. Friday Harbor's oldest antique store, with eclectic assortment. Fine antiques to funk. (updated May 2023) == Eat == 1 CoHo, 120 Nichols St (on Spring St, turn left at gas station). Serves Island-grown Pacific cuisine with an international flair. Coho’s team of talented chefs have created an exciting menu developed around the seasonality of fresh ingredients from the surrounding Islands with menu ideas drawn from the owner’s European heritage and her cookbook, La Cucina Anna Maria: Good Life Recipes from San Juan Island. Each night they showcase simple and artful fare that allows the flavors of the individual ingredients to resonate on the palate. 2 Vic's Drive In, 25 2nd St. since 1958! Basic burger joint, good food at good prices. 3 Roy's Island Buzz Drive-Thru, 25 Nichols St, ☏ +1 360 378-8822. 6:30AM-5:30PM. Roy's milkshakes are particularly popular. 4 Spring Street Deli, 135 Spring St, ☏ +1 360 378-5959. Hot and cold sandwiches and wraps, freshly made to order. Good selection of beer available across the hall at the Spring Street General Market. == Drink == 1 Haley's Sports Bar & Grill, 175 Spring St. == Sleep == 1 Best Western Friday Harbor Suites, 680 Spring St, ☏ +1 360 378-3031, toll-free: +1-800-752-5752, fax: +1 360 378-4228. Best blended margaritas in town, according to John (driver and operator of Island Airporter and a local resident). 2 Earthbox Motel and Spa, 410 Spring St, ☏ +1 360 378-4000, toll-free: +1-800-793-4756, fax: +1 360 378-4351, stay@EarthboxInn.com. 3 Nichols Street Suites, 85 Nichols St, ☏ +1 360 378-2638, toll-free: +1-866-374-4272, funkon@rockisland.com. Two deluxe in-town suites, decorated with selections from Funk and Junk Antiques and original art. Sleeps 2-6 people. Book online. 4 Bird Rock Hotel, 35 First St (Three blocks from the ferry landing), toll-free: +1-800-352-2632, stay@birdrockhotel.com. Modern boutique San Juan Island Hotel. 15 unique rooms with fireplaces, jetted tubs, continental breakfast, free bicycle rentals. 5 Island Inn at 123 West, 123 Front St, ☏ +1 360 378-4400, toll-free: +1-877-512-9262. Contemporary styled 1- & 2-bedroom penthouse suites, euro-style guest rooms. In town, on the waterfront, 1.5 blocks from Washington State Ferries landing, across the street from public marina and commercial ferries. Easy walking distance to shops & restaurants. == Go next ==