San Juan Islands Advice
 

Hello all, just wanted to get any advice for flying in the San Juan Islands.
I'm leaving tomorrow and will be staying at a cabin we rented for the weekend.

My plan is to visit Friday Harbor for food and if we want to eat out but other than that we don't have too many plans.

Are there other islands that are fun to fly to and visit?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. We will be staying there

So far the weather is looking amazing up there for the whole weekend and not so good here in SLC. Hopefully we can make it out of here tomorrow.

Thanks in advance and I'll get a good trip report typed up.

Not sure how this place is going to turn out but I found it on vrbo.com in the back of Pilot Getaway magazine.
She even has a golf cart that she will leave at the airport. May want to bookmark it for a future trip.

http://www.vrbo.com/128243

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Eastsound on Orcas Island shouldn't be missed. You can walk into town for whatever. Rent a car from an outfit inside the terminal bldg. I think Orcas is more attractive and pleasant than SJI.

John Siebold

Whale watching trip. I had a good experience with these folks http://www.sanjuansafaris.com/contact.html

Take good binoculars, good camera with a long lens.

Also, lots of Bald Eagles in that area.

Have fun.

Thanks John
 

Thanks, that looks really nice. I have been checking it out and I will make that our first stop then.





The approach to landing looks like it will be beautiful as well.

-Scott

Roche Harbor
 

Go into Friday Harbor and rent mopeds and drive around the perimeter of the island and have lunch at Roche Harbor. Lots of fun, great way to see the island. Don?t miss the grass strips on various farms around the island and if you are lucky you may see whales breaching on the West side of the island. You can also fly into Roche Harbor. Have fun.

Roche Harbor Pictures, great thanks!
 

Looks like a really fun airport.

Comments on San Juan Islands
 

We have enjoyed many weeks of visiting the San Juan Islands over the last 10 years. Something about being on an island I guess. I prefer to stay on Orcas Island, and do a daytrip over to Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor. It is short walk into downtown East Sound for food, however to really see the island you do need to rent a car at the airport terminal. A drive SE to Mount Constitution is worth it with stops at various places along the way for hiking makes for a good day. If the biplane guy, Rod, is out at the East Sound Airport, stop and say hi and checkout his hangar. Not sure what restaurants are open this time of year, but Vern's in downtown East Sound is on the water.

If you fly into Roche Harbor, be aware it is a private airport that does charge a $10 landing fee. They will track you down, at least they did me, via bill in the mail. I still go back, just pay the fee at the collection box at the nw end of airport next to tie down area.

Frequently, the flying weather will be better in the islands than Seattle. We have gone VFR on top because islands were reporting clear, and they were.

We will be back up on Orcas Island in August when we have a house rented. Have a good trip.

The whole Puget Sound area is amazing beautiful. Anywhere you go you'll enjoy.
Consider taking a ferry somewhere. You could ferry into Canada, other islands or the mainland.

I have been to Victoria island many times but never the San Juan's. $10, that is only 1.7 gallons of fuel, no problem. (pretty sad isn't it)

Thanks for the information, a car would work great for us to see the sights since we will be leaving Monday for home and will only have Saturday and Sunday to sight see on different islands.

I'll give them a call today and see if I need to reserve one.
Thanks again.

Mount Constitution
 

Another great stop to add. I'm sure glad I asked the question. I may have missed half of this stuff.