Choose the island first
The San Juan Islands are reached by ferry, and each island has its own character. San Juan Island has the ferry port of Friday Harbor and the harbor resort of Roche Harbor. Orcas Island has the village of Eastsound, the Rosario resort area and Moran State Park. Lopez Island is the quiet one, known for cycling and campsites. Pick the island that matches your plans, then the town.
Lodging prices change with the season, so this page names no rates. Look up current prices and rules for the place you like, and book early for summer weekends. If you bring a car, reserve a ferry space as well, see the ferry guide.
San Juan Islands hotels and bases compared
What each base offers. Lodging names are the ones listed for each place.
| Base | Island | Lodging | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Harbor | San Juan | Hotels such as Birdrock Hotel and Friday Harbor House, plus B&Bs | Ferry port, Whale Museum, airport |
| Roche Harbor | San Juan | Hotel de Haro, Quarryman Hall, McMillin Suites, village homes, cottages, condos | Marina and Sculpture Park, some rooms with shared baths |
| Rosario | Orcas | Rooms and suites at the water | Resort and mansion have separate owners in 2026 |
| Eastsound | Orcas | – | The main village, with air service to Boeing Field |
| Odlin County Park | Lopez | Camping | Beach access, no showers |
Tours from your base
Whale watching, kayaking and day trips that start in Friday Harbor and around the islands, with live prices and availability.
Friday Harbor and San Juan Island
The most practical base for a first visit.
Friday Harbor is the town where the ferry from Anacortes docks. Hotels listed for the town include the Birdrock Hotel and Friday Harbor House, and there are B&Bs too. The Whale Museum is in town and open daily from 10 am to 4 pm on its summer schedule. Check the hours before a winter visit.
The airport is Friday Harbor Airport, code KFHR. Scheduled flights link it with Seattle, Bellingham and Anacortes, and ground transport includes rental cars, taxis and a shuttle. Boat tours with whale watching leave from Friday Harbor and from Roche Harbor. More in the Friday Harbor guide.
Roche Harbor
A resort village on the north end of San Juan Island.
Room types
The resort offers Hotel de Haro, Quarryman Hall, McMillin Suites, village homes, cottages and condos. Some Hotel de Haro rooms have a private bath and others use shared baths down the hall, so check the room type before you book.
Getting there
The resort estimates about 20 minutes by car from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal. That is a planning figure and not a promise.
Parking
The resort map shows 2-hour parking and areas where overnight parking needs a permit. Ask when you book where your car can stay.
Nearby
The Sculpture Park is open daily from dawn to dusk all year, with no entry fee and donations welcome. See the Roche Harbor guide.
Orcas Island: Rosario and Eastsound
Two different places on the same island.
Eastsound, Rosario, West Sound and Deer Harbor are separate places on Orcas Island. Eastsound is the main village. The ferry landing is called Orcas Island in the timetable, so the landing is not in Eastsound itself. Kenmore Express flies daily all year between Boeing Field and Eastsound. For a car, the Port of Orcas lists Orcas Island Shuttle (all year), OrcasCars (seasonal) and M&W.
Rosario Resort offers rooms and suites at the water. Since 2026 the resort and the Moran Mansion have separate owners, and no reopening plans for the mansion were known to the resort. Do not assume that the mansion, a museum or a spa is part of your stay. See the Orcas Island guide.
Lopez Island and camping
Camping is the clearest lodging option here.
Odlin County Park
The park is at 148 Odlin Park Rd, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the ferry landing and 3 miles (5 km) from Lopez Village. It has 35 regular campsites, 10 of them on the beach, and a group area with 8 sites. It also has a sand beach, a boat ramp, drinking water and simple toilets. There are no showers. Boat launching and day parking for boat trailers are free, while overnight parking is charged.
Spencer Spit
This state park on Lopez protects a sand spit and a salt-water lagoon. A notice from 26 May 2026 said that hiker and biker sites go by arrival order without reservation, and that weekends can be full.
Rooms in Lopez Village
For a bed under a roof, look at current lodging listings for Lopez Village and compare rates and conditions yourself. See the Lopez Island guide for the island.
Moran State Park on Orcas
Mountain Lake and Lower Midway are named as available camping areas. The hiker and biker campground has been closed for the winter since a notice of 7 October 2026. The Moran State Park guide has hours and the tower closure.
Which base fits your trip
Match the base to what you came for.
Whale watching
Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are departure points for boat tours. On the west coast of San Juan Island, Lime Kiln Point is a place to watch from shore. See whale watching.
Hiking and lakes
Orcas Island has Moran State Park, with 5 lakes and trails for hiking, cycling and riding.
Cycling
Lopez has a local bicycle and kayak rental at Fisherman Bay. Do not count on flat routes or separate bike paths everywhere.
A short stay
Friday Harbor is the ferry stop on San Juan Island, so it is a practical choice for one or two nights.
Plan the rest of your trip
Ferry, weather and the places to visit.
Where to stay in the San Juan Islands: frequently asked questions
Which island is best for a first visit?
San Juan Island, with Friday Harbor as the base. The ferry from Anacortes docks there, and the whale museum, boat tours and the airport are in town or close by.
Do all rooms at Roche Harbor have a private bath?
No. Hotel de Haro has rooms with a private bath and rooms with shared baths. Check the room type before you book.
Can I stay at Rosario and visit the Moran Mansion?
Do not count on it. Since 2026 the resort and the mansion have separate owners, and no reopening plans for the mansion were known to the resort.
Where can I camp on the islands?
Odlin County Park on Lopez has 35 regular campsites, and Moran State Park on Orcas has the Mountain Lake and Lower Midway areas. Spencer Spit on Lopez has hiker and biker sites by arrival order.
Do I need a Discover Pass if I camp in a state park?
Not to park in the state park where you camp. You may need one for other state park sites you visit, such as Lime Kiln Point.