Orcas Village
Orcas Village (sometimes just called Orcas) is on the southern tip of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. It is the first landing site for many tourists visiting the San Juan Islands via the Washington State Ferries and where many travelers spend time waiting for the ferry.
Understand
Get in
By ferry
From Anacortes
- 🌍 Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1-888-808-7977. Ferries travel from Anacortes, Orcas Island, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and Shaw Island. A 60-minute advance arrival is recommended for vehicle traffic. For the afternoon sailings, a 90-minute advance arrival is advised. Passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing. The ferries are extremely crowded on weekends, so try to avoid, if possible, heading to the island on Friday night/Saturday morning or coming back on a Sunday.
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Note: The Sidney (BC)-Anacortes ferry service has been suspended and will not resume until at least 2030. |
| (Information last updated 01 Mar 2023) |
By seaplane
- Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, fax: +1 425-485-4774, reservations@KenmoreAir.com. Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands. 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.
- Northwest Seaplanes, 860 W. Perimeter Road – Renton, toll-free: +1-800-690-0086. provides scheduled and charter seaplane flights to destinations from South Lake Washington, in the heart of Seattle to the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, and British Columbia’s Inside Passage. They operate 4 planes each offering six seats.
By boat
- Bay Head Marina, 372 Killebrew Lake Rd, toll-free: +1-855-948-6413 ext 1. Located a short walk away from the Orcas Ferry Terminal and has a boat ramp and ample parking. Facilitates boats up to 60 feet.
Get around
- M & W Car Rentals (Orcas Ferry Landing), ☏ +1 360-376-5157. May 15 - Oct 15 only. This Orcas Island branch of a Friday Harbor-based business usually has just one size of car available (though a van may be available on request) and only during peak season. $59.95/day.
See
The Village itself has several historic buildings and is worth getting out to explore when waiting for the ferry.
Do
Buy
- 🌍 Orcas Village Store, 10 Killebrew Lake Rd (Orcas Landing), ☏ +1 360-376-8860, info@orcasvillagestore.com. Daily 6AM - 8PM. Everything that a traveler needs for waiting in long ferry lines or just needing a picnic before exploring the island. Lots of locally sourced products.
Eat
- Orcas Hotel Cafe, 18 Orcas Hill Rd. A wonderful classic restaurant overlooking the water and ferry terminal. Another great place to spend some time while waiting for the ferry.
Drink
- Orcas Hotel Bar, 18 Orcas Hill Rd.
Sleep
- 🌍 Orcas Hotel, 18 Orcas Hill Rd, ☏ +1 360-320-6415, orcascafe@gmail.com. Built 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982. Offers an amazing view of Harney Channel, Shaw Island and the ferry terminal.
Connect
Wi-Fi is available from the Orcas Hotel.
Go next
- Orcas Village is the launching point for Orcas Island, with easy access to Eastsound, the island's population center.
- It connected via ferry to the mainland and other major islands - Lopez Island, San Juan Island, and Shaw Island.