Best Way to visit the San Juan Islands?

[BirdbyBird]

Question for those of you that have visited (and those of you that have work camped there ): What are the ways that I might get a visit to some of the islands? Do I take them in as a day trip with the car on a ferry. Are there tour boats that take folks out and about? I don't need or have time to stay in the area long (I have a reservation in a driveway coming up down the road.) but sure would like to get a visual and "taste" of the area. Suggestions for me to research?

[JudyJB]

When I was up at Fort Worden last summer, some friends took me on a whale watching tour of the San Juan Islands. We stopped for lunch at Friday Harbor. It was an all-day trip and enjoyable, but I would only take it on a day when the weather is clear so you can actually see stuff and it is not too windy. (I got seasick on the way out, which was not good, but was fine on the way back. Take something for nausea with you.)

Here is my blog posting on that day: http://grandmajjb.blogspot.com/2014/08/ ... -juan.html

Hope this helps. Fort Worden, by the way, is a very nice place to stay and you ought to be able to pick all the blackberries you want or at least can get to in the campground!

[chalet05]

Tina, I have done this boat tour a couple of times. Probably the easiest way to see the islands if you are not wanting to stay up there. They have a schedule so they don't hang around the whales very long like Captain Fred in Valdez.

The last time the ride was pretty rough, but my grandson and I were fine. If you are prone to seasickness, I would follow Judy's suggestion.

I stayed at Point Hudson - pretty bare bones but a nice spot.

[JudyJB]

FYI - I ended up paying $5 for two Dramamine tablets on the boat! Highway robbery (or seaway robbery) but I had no choice under the circumstances!!! They did give me a free paper bag.

[WickedLady]

It will cost a small fortune to take the MH on a ferry; take your car.

[BirdbyBird]

Thanks Marta, I knew better than bring the rig across. That just didn't make sense when I have the car. I picked up information from the Visitor Center down the road from the campground her on the beach. The information ranger suggested one of the whale boat tours also...... She also gave me the information on the Ferry from Port Townsend to the mainland north of Seattle and taking that to avoid driving south and around (or through) Seattle. I still have a few days to digest the info. The dogs only think one day at a time and have their reservations in for another long beach walk this evening at low tide. Then we get to decide to stay or go on up the coast a little bit tomorrow. Stuart and I hit Ruby Beach and Hoh Rainforest today. We both decided that as much as we liked those big trees we like the breezy cool temperatures here at the beach better. I think Seven Feathers was enough "hot" weather to last me all summer. And Stuart reminded me that in the National Park proper he would not be able to "make" me walk as many miles since the rules prohibit him from the trails.

Such demands.