San Juan Island- Pacific Ocean- Washington State

I never heard of San Juan Island until I was pretty much right next to it on the coast of Washington. I am so glad I went there! I had one of the best experiences of my life! I got to kayak with wild Orcas and the island is filled with history, hiking and marine life! It was very beautiful and I highly recommend checking this place out!!!! I have a video at the end of this article that shows all the highlights 🙂 

Here I leave the mainland for my ultimate adventure to San Juan Island!

The island isn’t very big. It’s about 55 square miles. But in this relatively small island, there is a lot featured! If you like history, you are in luck!!!! The video can explain it better than I can. There is the video below if you are interested on how this island came to be. It’s actually very interesting! Usually I fall asleep with these kind of videos, but it’s pretty short and sweet considering they made an 11 minute video with over 12 years of history. We were basically in a 12 year stand off with Britain for ownership of this island. This island almost resulted with us going to war with them, but both sides ended up resolving this dispute.

National Park Hiking

The National Park has two parks on the island and they go hand-in-hand with the history. There is the American Camp, where we set up camp for 12 years to protect this island, and there is the British camp, where the British set up their camp because they wanted to own it. When you head to both of these camps, there are still some of the original structures and it’s very cool to see. There are interactive signs set up on both sides of these camps to learn about the history and geology of the land.

Unfortunately, you learn the British side had a much better camp than the American Side. But both sides got together once and a while and held festivals in a peaceful manor. A lot of the men became friends with one another on both sides and some were sad to leave when the “mission” ended.

American Camp

Around the American Camp there are hiking trails that will lead you through the history part of it all, and then through the forests and to the ocean for more of a scenic route. I hiked from the American Camp to South beach and was lucky to see these sea otters swimming to shore (I have it in the video at the end of this article). A whole family of sea otters were playing on the shore and I just sat on the beach and watched them. I had the whole beach to myself! It was amazing!!!!

When I was driving to my next destination I saw foxes on the side of the road. They are very accustomed to people because these foxes literally walked right up to you. I just sat there on the road, not bribing it or anything. I don’t feed wildlife, and this fox literally walked right up to me. He was so cute though!!!!

Hello Fox! I have more footage at the video below.

There are a lot of colors on this island. At first I thought fall came early! But then when I was talking to the locals, I found out that it was drought season and that’s the flora turning colors because of a lack of water.

British Camp

The British Camp was much more luxurious than the American Camp. They had a bigger garden, herbs, a separate place for the officer to live, the bunks were more comfortable,etc. I just found it so fascinating walking on a piece of land where there was so much history!!!!

This one trail near the British camp led you to Young Hill. It’s a great overlook trail that will give you great views overlooking the island. On your way up, make sure you stop at the cemetery. Six people died on these 12 years and you can visit their grave and pay your respects.

It’s actually very interesting on how some of the soldiers passed away. One of them died because his brother accidentally shot him. That’s brutal! And the brother felt obviously really bad about it and got the grave for him. I could only imagine what that would feel like accidentally shooting your own brother.

This says it right here, “accidentally shot his brother.”

Another accidentally drowned. The boat must have sank. I’m not sure. And one took his life which I guess was pretty common back then when you joined the military.

Lime Kiln Point State Park

Beautiful Light House

Other than the National Park, there is a State Park, Lime Kiln Point. This park is very beautiful! It is on the West side of the island where you will most likely see Orcas, and it offers trails, picnicking, and a lighthouse. Also the sun sets on the West Part of the island so the sunsets are gorgeous! Got to check it out!!!! You do have to pay ten dollars though to visit the state park. You either pay ten dollars for a day pass or 30 dollars for a year round fee.

Sculpture  Park

Here is something to do on the island that is a little more low key. It is all through volunteers and it is free but they ask for a donation. Even if it’s just 5 dollars to help them keep the park running.

On the island, you have the option to rent out these red scooters and mini cars. I seen them all over the island. It actually looked a lot of fun!!! I would have done that if I had the extra cash.

San Juan County Park

This park has campgrounds, picnic tables, beaches and this is where most companies set you out if your kayaking. There were several company vans when I went there with the guides setting off into sea!!!!

Kayaking with the Orcas

Literally had the time of my life! I went with this company called Crystal Seas Kayaking and they were wonderful! They offer a three hour sunset tour that I went on where you go out into the ocean and watch the sunset. But what wasn’t planned was a whole bunch of Orcas came up near the kayaks and played and swam around us! It was such an adventure and was just such an awesome experience! There is a video below of the experience.

I loved this island!!!

Greatest Experience! I’ve got Orca footage below!

It was fantastic. Just a bunch of happy people living on an island. The weather is pretty good year round. The water keeps the winters temperate. It was just really neat to witness. Hope you get to go there! It was great!

The video is below with a collaboration of everything on the island, from going on the boat, to hiking, to the sea creatures, and to just the wonderful times I had on this island! Hope you enjoy!!!!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this article!!!!

Sincerely,

Shelly/Livingonthedirt