Located just a block from the Friday Harbor Marina , the shared decks at the Bird Rock Hotel offer stunning views . Below , a beautifully seared salmon with crispy skin at Coho .
lisette wolter-mckinley photo whale watching tour is just the ticket to turn your weekend getaway into a spectacular adventure .
Witness Bioluminescence
If you want an adventure of a lifetime , book an overnight kayak trip . After the sunset , we waited for it to become completely dark and then we headed out on the water for a bioluminescent paddle . Bioluminescence only occurs in a small handful of places around the world and the San Juan Islands are one of the premier areas to view this phenomenon .
For those of you who don ’ t know what bioluminescence is , it is the production and emission of light by a living organism . Think of putting your hand or paddle in the water and then seeing a trail of glow sticks or twinkle lights . It is utterly amazing to watch in the dark and stillness of the night . lisette wolter-mckinley photo
Wander with the Wildlife
It ’ s not just from a boat that you ’ ll see the San Juan ’ s vast array of wildlife . The archipelago is home to a vast array wildlife . You may spot foxes at Cattle Point and bunnies at South Beach . San Juan Island is home to four main sites along the Aubudon Society ’ s Puget Loop — a Washington State Birding Trail : Lime Kiln State Park , American Camp , English Camp , and Jackson Beach .
While looking for birds at Lime Kiln State Park , be sure to check out the water views . It ’ s known as one of the best land-based whale watching sites in the world . Furthermore , San Juan Island is home to 32 different species of butterflies . Talk about a beautiful sight to behold !
Get There with a Scenic Flight
If you ’ re already aboard a Kenmore Air flight , this may be old news . But getting to the San Juans doesn ’ t have to be a slog . In fact , the scenic flight can be half the fun !
Whether you ’ re riding aboard a seaplane or wheeled plane , check-in is a breeze . The flights are quick and beautiful . Plus , you get to skip the hour-plus drive and long ferry lines .
58 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air