Roche Harbor
Roche Harbor is a small town on the northwest coast of San Juan Island, namesake of the picturesque San Juan Islands group. This bustling yacht and floatplane harbor makes a good base for exploring the island.
Understand
British Marines established a presence here in 1860 after Great Britain and the United States agreed to a joint military occupation until the territory dispute over the San Juan Islands could be resolved. Richard Roche scouted the area for an ideal site for the British Royal Marines encampment. After the territory dispute was settled in 1872 in favor of the U.S., the land encompassing Roche Harbor was homesteaded by American settlers.
Nearby, limestone was quarried, delivered by rail to chutes and dropped into kilns, then bagged or barreled within a short distance from the warehouse and wharf. Tacoma lawyer John S. McMillin established the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company in 1886, built the Hotel de Haro, and founded the Roche Harbor Yacht Club. Later owners developed the town into a boating resort.
Get in
By ferry
- From Anacortes on the mainland, take the Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor, at the other end of the island, and then a 15-minute taxi ride to Roche Harbor.
By plane
- Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-877-359-5366, fax: +1-425-485-4774, reservations@KenmoreAir.com. Float planes make up to seven flights from Lake Union in Seattle to Roche Harbor marina and Friday Harbor, and then return. Shuttles can bring you from Sea-Tac Airport to Lake Union. A spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139.
- Roche Harbor has a small, private paved airstrip.
By boat
- 🌍 Roche Harbor Marina, Reuben Memorial Dr, toll-free: +1 800 451-8910, marina@rocheharbor.com.
The U.S. port-of-entry at Roche Harbor closed in 2023. The nearest port-of-entry is Friday Harbor.
By bus
- San Juan Island Transit. Bus service between Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and other island destinations. 20 minutes. Runs up to once every hour during the day at peak season. $5 (adult).
Get around
Roche Harbor is small enough that you can walk everywhere. The whole town is oriented around the harbor, and the hotels and docks that surround it.
See
- 🌍 San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, 9038 Roche Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 360 370-0035, SJISculpturePark@gmail.com. dawn-dusk. Over 20 acres of 150 creative outdoor sculpture works. Self-guided trails wind through the artwork and dogs are welcome. Near the base of the Roche Harbor runway and Susie's Mopeds, a short walk from Roche Harbor. A not-for-profit work, $5 donation is recommended per adult. San Juan Transit buses stop here. $5.
- Roche Harbor Marina is the heart of town. It is jammed with a variety of pleasure boats. The ambience is very pleasant, especially when the weather is fine. See the toilet service boat, M.V. Phecal Freak (motto: "we take crap from anyone" — really!)
Do
Bicycling is pleasant on San Juan Island. There are various bike rental options, including one by the airport. It also rents motor scooters and jeeps.
One of the beaches on San Juan Island is a great place to watch orcas (killer whales).
Buy
Eat
Mid-range
- Lime Kiln Cafe (on the wharf, just above the fuel dock), ☏ +1 360-378-7954 ext 420. 8AM-3PM. Nice cafe on the wharf, pleasant in the summer. Enjoy the action from inside or out! Famous Lime Kiln doughnuts in the morning with their hearty breakfasts and lunch. $10-15 for lunch and soft drink, including tip and tax.
- 🌍 Madrona Bar & Grill, 248 Reuben Memorial Dr (park in the nearby public spaces, walk the shoreline north, past the old lime works wharf), ☏ +1 360-378-9894 x1405. 11AM-10PM. An over-the-water restaurant dining on coastal-casual cuisine with flavorful cocktails. The deck sits over the harbor, offering diners the only sunset view over-water on the island. Fresh salads, creative grill sandwiches and famous BBQ ribs are menu favorites. 10$10.
Splurge
- McMillin's Dining Room, ☏ +1 360-378-5757. 5-10PM. A lovely fine dining experience in the top floor of the "deck restaurant" building on the waterfront. In a historically restored building from the original resort. Amazing local seafood and meats with a view! Mains $27-69.
Drink
Sleep
- Roche Harbor Resort, 248 Reuben Memorial Dr, ☏ +1 360-378-9820. A range of accommodations includings houses, suites, cottages, and Hotel de Haro, a historic, 130-year-old hotel resort right on the water (double from $170). $170-220.