Orcas Island is part of the San Juan Archipelago. It is the largest of the islands in the Archipelago. It is located in what is commonly called Puget Sound in northwestern Washington State. It is actually just north of Puget Sound in the Strait of Georgia.

San Juan County is shown in red on the Washington State map shown to the left.

In the map below of the “Greater Puget Sound” inland waters you can see that Vancouver Island, part of British Columbia, Canada, is located to the west of the San Juan Islands, protecting them from the wave action of the Pacific Ocean to the west. The large unlabeled strait you see between Vancouver Island and the mainland is the Strait of Georgia. The three islands at the bottom of the Strait of Georgia are where the 172 named islands of the San Juan Archipelago is located.

A little about Orcas Island

Orcas is truly a unique and varied island. First of all is the view from Orcas. Mount Constitution, in Moran State Park, is the highest point in the San Juan Islands. You can drive to the top and climb the tower to get one of the best views on this earth.

On a clear day from the top of Mt. Constitution you can see Mt. Baker, the Olympic Mountains, Mt. Rainier, the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and much much more.

Orcas Communities

There is no large city on Orcas Island; instead the island is made up of many communities. The largest community is Eastsound with a population of around 1000. You will also find the communities of Orcas Village (at the ferry landing), Westsound, Deer Harbor, and Olga.

Eastsound (one word), the community, is located at the north end of a 6 mile long fjord that runs north from the center of the south shore of Orcas Island. East Sound (the fjord) cuts Orcas Island nearly in half with only a narrow (1.3 mile) strip of land forming the north most shore of the island. This gives the island its saddle bag shape.

Moran State Park

Moran State Park is a 5,252 acre camping park with five fresh water lakes located in the middle of the eastern half of the island. It has over 33 miles of hiking trails. The highest point in the San Juan Archipelago, the 2,409 foot high Mount Constitution, is located in the park. The Civilian Conservation Corps built an observation tower at the top of the mountain in 1936 and it offers a 360 degree view far beyond the islands.

The park has five fresh water lakes two with boat ramps (no motors) and swimming areas. There are 151 campsites in five different campgrounds. Each campground has a restroom building with showers. Cascade Lake is located just inside the park and has the most facilities. At Cascade Lake you will find a boat launch, swimming area, snack shop, boat rentals, campground, walking trails, picnic area, and fresh water fishing.

Mountain Lake is the largest lake in the park with a lovely camping area and a picnic area. It also has a nice walking trail around the lake about 3 miles long. The Twin lakes have no road access and have fairly steep trails for access. The bonus if you hike to them is that you will have them nearly to yourself even in the height of the tourist season. For more information about the park use the link under Recommended Parks below.

The Salt Water Connection

Anyone who ventures to the islands is going to be drawn to the salt water and the shores around the island. The waterfront park in Eastsound (the community) has picnic tables and a grassy area. If you are looking for tide pools and a short hike try the Department of Natural Resources park at Obstruction Pass on the southwestern corner of east side of the island. Take the Olga road just south of Cascade Lake then at Olga take the Obstruction Pass Road further south. You will find primitive camping and picnicking facilities in the park.

If you like to look at boats the largest marina with a public dock, café, and seaplane dock for Kenmore Air is in Westsound. You will find Westsound by turning left at a small sign, onto the Deer Harbor Road, two miles north of Orcas Village on the Orcas Road.

One of the best spots to connect with the sea and island life is at the Coastal Village of Deer Harbor. In our yachting days we spent a lot of time at the docks in Deer Harbor. You will find a wide variety of lodging, restaurants, charters, and boat rentals in Deer Harbor. Unfortunately the Resort at Deer Harbor was sold to Trendwest and is now only available to Trendwest timeshare members. There is other lodging at Deer Harbor listed below under lodging.

Below you will find the Restaurants, lodging, and other attractions that we Recommend and list for Orcas Island.

Recommended Attractions

Restaurants
See listings below
Lodging
See listings below
Attractions

Museums

Parks & Gardens
Moran State Park 3572 Olga Road Olga, WA Visit the web site 5 miles southeast of Eastsound. Swimming, boating, hiking, and camping. The park has 151 camp sites.
Visitor Information
Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce PO Box 252 Eastsound, WA 98245 360-376-2273 Visit the web site

Listed Attractions

We have not necessarily visited or recommend listed establishments

Restaurants

Also See Eastsound

Bakeries & Delis

Rose’s Bakery Café – 360-376-4292

382 Prune Alley, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA

Restaurants

Christina’s – 230-376-4904

310 Main Street, Eastsound, WA 98245

http://www.christinas.net/

Also See Eastsound

Boardwalk on the Water (Orcas Island Ferry Landing) – 360-376-2971 - http://www.orcasislandboardwalk.com/

8292 Orcas Road, PO Box 73, Orcas, WA 98280

Café Olga – 360-376-5098

11 Point Lawrence Road, Olga, WA 98279

Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant – 360-376-1040 - http://www.deerharborinnrestaurant.com/

33 Inn Lane, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Inn at Ship Bay – 360-376-5886 - http://www.innatshipbay.com/

326 Olga Road, Orcas Island, WA 98245

Octavia’s Bistro at the Orcas Hotel – 360-376-4300 - http://www.orcashotel.com/restaurant.html

18 Orcas Hill Road, Orcas, WA 98280

Sunflower Café – 360-376-5435 - http://www.thesunflowercafe.com/

29 North Beach Road, Eastsound, WA 98245

Restaurants – Ice Cream & Desserts

Also See Eastsound

Restaurants – Pizza

Also See Eastsound

Portofino Pizzeria – 360-376-2085 - http://www.portofinopizzeria.com/

274 A Street, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA 98245

Restaurants – Pubs

Also See Eastsound

Restaurants – Specialty

Also See Eastsound

Restaurants – Fast Foods

Also See Eastsound

Restaurants – Coffeehouse

Also See Eastsound

Orcas Village Store – 360-376-8860 - http://www.orcasvillagestore.net/

PO Box 446, Orcas, WA

Lodging

Also See Eastsound

Lodging – Hotels – (with room service)

Also See Eastsound

Lodging – Hotels – Limited Services (no room service)

The Orcas Hotel (Historic) – 360-376-4300

18 Orcas Hill Road, PO Box 155, Orcas, WA 98280

http://www.orcashotel.com/

Also See Eastsound

Lodging – Motels

Lodging – Inns or Bed & Breakfast

The Place at Cayou Cove (Historic) – 360-376-3199 – http://www.cayoucove.com/

PO Box 310, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Also See Eastsound

Buck Bay Farm Inn & Lavender Field – 360-376-2908 - http://www.buckbayfarm.com/

716 Pt. Lawrence Road, Olga, WA 98279

Deer Harbor Inn – 360-376-4110 - http://www.deerharbor.org/category.php?category=02

33 Inn Lane, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

The Inn on Orcas Island – 360-376-5227 - http://www.theinnonorcasisland.com/

114 Channel Road, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Lieber Haven Resort & Marina – 360-376-2472 - http://www.lieberhavenresort.com/

1945 Obstruction Pass Road, PO Box 127, Orcas Island, WA 98279

Spring Bay Inn – 360-376-5531 - http://www.springbayinn.com/director.php

PO Box 97, Olga, WA 98279

Lodging – Vacation Rentals & Cabins

Also See Eastsound

All Dream Cottages -360-376-2500 - http://alldreamcottages.com/

PO Box 85, Orcas, WA 98280

Boardwalk Waterfront Cottages – 360-376-2971 - http://www.orcasislandboardwalk.com/

8292 Orcas Road, PO Box 73, Orcas, WA 98280

Doe Bay Resort & Retreat – 360-376-2291 - http://www.doebay.com/

107 Doe Bay Road, Olga, WA 98279

Orcas Island Bayside Cottages - 360-376-4330 - http://www.orcas1.com/

65 Willis Lane, Olga, WA 98279

The Resort at Deer Harbor – This resort is not owned by Trendwest and only available to

Trendwest members.

RV & Camping

RV & Camping Information

Other Attractions

Also See Eastsound

Antiques

Kay’s Antiques & Collectibles – 360-376-4538

147 Golf Estates Road, PO Box 236, Eastsound, WA 98245

Art Galleries

Also See Eastsound

Olga Pottery – 360-376-4648 - http://www.olgapottery.com/

6928 Olga Road, , Olga, WA 98279

Mailing address - PO Box 626, Eastsound, WA 98245

Orcas Island Artworks – 360-376-4408 - http://www.orcasartworks.com/

Orcas Road, Olga, WA 98279

Orcas Island Pottery – 360-376-2813 - http://www.orcasislandpottery.com/

338 Old Pottery Road, Eastsound, WA 98245

Gift Shops

Also See Eastsound

Cottage Gift Shop – 360-376-4374

PO Box 280, Orcas, WA

Rutabaga – 360-376-5737 - http://www.rutabaga.biz/

Deer harbor Road, PO Box 71, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Golf

Also See Eastsound

Museums

Also See Eastsound

Parks/Gardens

Also See Eastsound

Buck Bay Farm Inn & Lavender Field – 360-376-2908 - http://www.buckbayfarm.com/

716 Point Lawrence Road, Olga, WA 98279

Quilting/Needlecrafts

Also See Eastsound

Scrapbooking/Crafts

Also See Eastsound

Theatres/Performing Arts

Also See Eastsound

Tours/Charters

Also See Eastsound

Classic Day Sailing – 360-376-5581 - http://www.classicdaysails.com/Home.html

PO Box 275, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Deer Harbor Charters – 360-376-5989 - http://www.deerharborcharters.com/

PO Box 303, Deer Harbor, WA 98243

Orcas Island Eclipse Charters – Whale and wildlife tours – 360-376-6566 - http://www.orcasislandwhales.com/

PO Box 353, Orcas, WA

Wine

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