If you are looking for a weekend getaway that’s near Seattle or Vancouver, then the San Juan Islands are a great choice, and a Weekend Getaway aboard the M/V David B is the prefect way to experience “our backyard islands.”
What’s great about the San Juan Islands are the endless rocky shorelines which are fun for tide pooling and the lush green forests of Cypress, Sucia, Stuart, Jones, and Orcas Islands that provide shade for easy and moderate hikes to gorgeous panorama views. Also great about the San Juan Islands are the beautiful sweeping pastoral fields of San Juan Island and Lopez Island which are perfect for an evening or morning stroll along on rolling country roads.
The San Juan Islands offer calm and protected waters for kayaking. From the M/V David B you can take a leisurely paddle along sea-sculpted sandstones or rocky barnacle and encrusted shorelines where oystercatchers, with their bright orange beaks, pry open mussels, and in the shallow water below your kayak you can make out the shapes of crabs, fish and sea stars as you pass over.
While you’re visiting the San Juan Islands you’ll also find that the wildlife is both abundant and amazing. The San Juans are home to 89 resident orca whales and a fluctuating number of transient orca whales. There are many seals, sea lions and porpoises to watch as well. While you are in the San Juan Islands you’ll want to bring your binoculars for bird watching because there are many birds to see from the majestic bald eagle to the tiny, shy marbled murrelett and the uniquely painted Harlequin duck.
Besides the wildlife and scenery there are also quaint towns in the San Juan Islands, such as Friday Harbor, home to the Whale Museum, and Roche Harbor where you can take your time to explore the Westcott Bay Sculpture Garden as well as the beautifully maintained gardens at the Hotel de Haro.
If you’re just dying to get out of town and into the Islands for a weekend of relaxation, you can join us for one of our Weekend Getaway cruises. These trips are planned especially for you to get the most out of your weekend. They start from our slip at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, WA. on Fridays at 3pm and return to our slip in the evening on Sundays around 5-6pm. Visit our schedule page on our website for dates and pricing and don’t forget we’ll do the cooking!