Exploring Eastsound, Orcas Island WA

   If you've been following the blog, you know that we've been spying on Washington's San Juan Islands for some time. We've made a few trips there, and have a few more planned. Seattleites are always super in love with islands - to be honest, we didn't really get it until we started visiting ourselves. We hope to spend some time kayaking there this summer, and our recent trips have been geared to that end. Where can we stay? What towns are close? What's it like there? If we had to pull into town with all of our kayaking gear - could we get supplies and a place to stay?

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   We caught a ferry from Anacortes over to Orcas Island and drove the 8 miles/15 minutes or so to the island's main town - Eastsound. We explored, shopped, and had a great lunch before heading off to nearby Moran State Park and the resort at Doe Bay.

   There is a public beach in town to launch kayaks from and a grocery to stock up on essentials. There are a few hotels close to the water, a museum, lots of shops, an outdoorsy store (great if you forgot important things…like a foot pump), a place to rent kayaks and bicycles, and some great restaurants.

   One of those great restaurants is The Kitchen (it happens to be right next door to a cute little store called Tres Fabu!). It was a nice day and we ordered and ate lunch outside, then walked over to Enzo's for coffee.

   We picked up some groceries at the full-size grocery and headed on our way to Moran State Park (post coming soon) and beyond. Orcas is gorgeous and just like everyone says - so different from the other islands. Walking around in Eastsound kinda feels like your in a small mountain town in Colorado…except on the water! It would make a great place to stop on a big (or small) kayaking adventure, and we had a great time visiting by car.

   ~Paul & Amber  ETC