by Denise Seith

Created on: January 08, 2009

If "travel light, travel fast" is your motto, you can easily reach the San Juan Islands from Seattle via catamaran or small seaplane. Keep in mind you can't take very much with you other than hand luggage, and that you'll need local transportation to get around the islands once you arrive.

Departing from Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, Victoria Clipper catamarans take about three and a half hours to reach Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The catamarans leave once each day, in the morning, and are roomy and comfortable. Meals, beverages, and souvenirs are available on board. Take a book to pass the time, or simply watch the passing scenery.

Seaplanes wing passengers over to San Juan Island in about 30 minutes. Kenmore Air is the largest operator and departs several times daily from their terminal on Seattle's Lake Union. San Juan Airlines also offers daily scheduled flights, but mostly specializes in charters and flight-seeing excursions so you can fly where and when it's most convenient for you. A bird's eye-view of the islands is a real treat, so don't forget the camera!

If you prefer to take your own car, RV, boat, or lots of camping gear to the islands, you'll want to instead travel aboard a Washington State ferry. Unfortunately, Washington State ferries do not depart for the San Juan Islands from Seattle, but drive about 85 miles north up Interstate 5 to the city of Anacortes and catch it there. Ferries can accommodate vehicles of all sizes, so even if you're driving a huge motor home or towing something, it's no problem. Ferries sail five or six times a day, and stop not only at San Juan Island, but also at Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas as well. The trip takes 60-90 minutes, depending on your destination.

No matter how you get to the San Juan Islands, if you're looking for that million-miles-away-from-it-all feeling that only an island can provide, you're definitely headed in the right direction. Each island has its own unique personality and special highlights, but all are equally beautiful and especially appeal to lovers of the great outdoors. And whether viewed from the air or while a float, the scenery just can't be beat- lush forests, hidden coves, marine wildlife- all back dropped by snowy Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains.

Speaking of wildlife, alongside the spectacular scenery, the islands' main attraction is orca (killer) whales. From mid-April through early October, about 80 orcas live in the waters of the San Juan Islands and are spotted frequently. Harbor seals, sea lions, otters, cormorants, gulls, sea stars, and a great many other marine creatures also call the San Juan Islands their home. And don't forget to look up once in a while at majestic bald eagles soaring overhead. It's fairly common to see our flying national symbol here since the Evergreen State has a larger bald eagle population than any of the other lower-48 states.

From the very first scenic trip, you'll discover the San Juan Islands are a literal breath of fresh airand you'll want to inhale deeply and often!

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