Amazing Pacific Northwest Island Experiences!

There are 172 islands in the archipelago, some little more than rocks, and over 300 miles (480 km) of shoreline. The majority of the San Juan Islands are quite hilly with some flat areas and valleys, often quite fertile, in between. The tallest peak is Mount Constitution, on Orcas Island, at almost exactly a half-mile (800 m) elevation. The coastlines are a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, shallow and deep harbors, placid and reef-studded bays. Gnarled, ochre-colored madrona trees (Arbutus) grace much of the shorelines while evergreen fir and pine forests cover large inland areas.

he San Juan Islands host the greatest concentration of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the continental United States. Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachman), and numerous shorebirds are found along the shore and in winter, the islands are home to Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator), Canada goose (Branta canadensis) and other waterfowl. Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), Northern harriers (Circus cyaneus), Barred owls (Strix varia) and other birds of prey are found. In addition diving birds such as Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) and endangered Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) frequent the surround seas.  Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana), who went extinct 50 years ago because of competition for nesting sites by non-native European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), were recently restored to San Juan Island thanks to the efforts of volunteers and conservation organizations.

The islands are famous for their resident pods of Orcas (Orcinus orca). There are three resident pods that eat salmon but also some transient orcas that come to take Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Other marine mammals include the River otter(Lontra canadensis), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), Common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) and other cetaceans.

The San Juan Islands get less rainfall than Seattle, about 65 miles (105 km) to the south, due to their location in the rain shadow of Olympic Mountains to the southwest. Summertime high temperatures are around 70 °F (21 °C) while average wintertime lows are in the high thirties and low forties. Snow is infrequent in winter except for the higher elevations, but the islands are subject to high winds at times—those from the northeast sometimes bring brief periods of freezing and Arctic-like windchills.

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