• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Ultimate Guide to Biking the San Juan Islands (Washington)

Last Updated: July 14, 2022 · Responsible Travel, USA

Epic landscapes, fresh seafood, and wildlife watching opportunities right in your backyard — cycling Washington state’s San Juan Islands is an experience that folks travel internationally for, but without the stress or expense of vacationing abroad.

On a recent familiarization trip with Intrepid Travel, I was able to discover the islands all via pedal power. And even though I’m an avid (casual) biker — having biked as a lifestyle in many countries — it was my first time actually exploring entire islands with my own two feet!

Woman wearing orange activewear cycling the San Juan Islands in Washington USA

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Cycling is such a fantastic way to travel more sustainably while also getting a sense of a destination more intimately, don’t you think? Not only can you take in the views of the countryside and start and stop whenever you’d like, but you can do so while reducing your environmental footprint.

If you are thinking about going on a biking tour around the San Juan Islands, read on! In this post, I will detail my experience and show you how you can experience this invigorating responsible adventure as well.

Table of Contents show
Cycling San Juan Islands in Washington
Cycling Washington’s San Juan Islands with Intrepid Travel
Anacortes & Fidalgo Island
Orcas Island
San Juan Island
What to Pack to Cycle the San Juan Islands
Overall Thoughts & Takeaways

Cycling San Juan Islands in Washington

🚴‍♀️ What to Expect – Cycling Trip Overview

Length: 6 Days

Start/End: Anacortes, Washington (Fidalgo Island)

Mileage: 15 to 40 miles per day

Islands: Fidalgo, Orcas, and San Juan Island

Activities: Lime Kiln Point, Whale Watching (not included), Orcas Island & Mt Constitution, Lavender Farm, Pottery Studio, and more.

Inclusions: Hotels, meals (mainly breakfast and snacks), expert guides, bicycle gear (not including helmet or water bottle), guides, ferry crossings, and cycling support vehicle.

Cycling Washington’s San Juan Islands with Intrepid Travel

If you don’t know about them already, Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest adventure travel company. They are a recertified B-Corp and offer sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities to the world’s most sought-after and off-the-beaten-path destinations, in line with their mission to create positive change through the joy of travel.

Among the tours they offer are coveted multi-day cycling trips around the world designed to take adventure travelers into the heart of a destination — one of them being right here in the picturesque San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea off the northwest Washington coast.

Credit: Intrepid Travel Cycling

We experienced the condensed version of the San Juan Islands cycling tour. Six days turned into four, and we did about half the mileage (10-12 miles per day) instead of the regular 15–40 miles.

Should you book this tour, you will experience it all in a much slower, casually-paced way than I did — leaving you ample time for rest and recovery, plus visiting the sites and attractions of Fidalgo Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island.

If you want to get a sneak peek into what the islands look like, scroll down! If you wish to DIY cycling the San Juan Islands on your own, you can do that too but note that you’ll need to plan all your ferry crossings, hotels, breaks, transport, and activities on your own.

Phone holder on bike with iPhone showing screen of Ride with GPS app for cycling tours
Tracking our rides was easy with the Ride with GPS app!
Harbor on Orcas Island with boats
Beautiful harbors and fishing villages speckle the San Juan Islands

Anacortes & Fidalgo Island

Anacortes on Fidalgo Island is the gateway to the San Juan Islands offering small-town PNW coastal charm. If you take a cycling tour, this is where you’ll start and stop your trip!

The closest international airport is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. No airport transfers are provided, so you may consider taking the train up and grabbing a bus to reach Anacortes, or renting a car and possibly carpooling with fellow cyclists.

Once in Anacortes, you can stroll downtown, grab drinks on a rooftop bar, go stand-up paddling or sea kayaking, or go ahead and start your cycling trip with a loop of Fidalgo Island. If you are on Intrepid’s Cycling Tour, you will have a beautiful warm-up ride outside of Anacortes on Day 1 and complete a scenic and flat loop of Fidalgo Island on Day 6.

🏨 Where to stay in Anacortes: The Marina Inn

Woman sitting on ledge overlooking the Salish Sea from atop Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in Washington
The view from atop Mount Constitution

Orcas Island

Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands, is considered the “gem of the islands” by locals. Watch whales from the coast or on a zodiac tour, hike old-growth trails, scout out cozy harbors and coves, and make the journey up to Mount Constitution — there are so many things to do on Orcas Island!

On this day, you’ll board the first ferry from Fidalgo Island to Orcas Island; keep an eye out for marine life! Once on land, you’ll start out the morning on a scenic ride to the charming village of Eastsound, passing coves, meadows, and beautiful farmland along the way.

The day will finish out with another ferry ride to San Juan Island, where you’ll stay for two nights at the quaint Orca Inn (known for having the smallest hotel rooms in the state of Washington!).

San Juan Island

On San Juan Island, you’ll be based out of the charming seaside town of Friday Harbor. This little town will invite you in and make you want to stay!

What you may see and do as you explore San Juan Island and Friday Harbor:

  • Sites of the American and English Camps (San Juan Island National Historical Park)
  • Pelindaba Lavender Farm — try the lavender-lemon sorbet! 🍋
  • Kayaking/SUP
  • Paula West Pottery
  • Whale watching tours (pre-book in advance!)
Pelindaba Lavender Farm & Paula West’s Pottery

Woman on a cycling tour of San Juan Islands in Washington, USA

What to Pack to Cycle the San Juan Islands

  • Helmet (mandatory)
  • Bike-fitted water bottle (mandatory)
  • Padded bike shorts – highly recommend!
  • Cycling gloves – glad I brought these
  • Day bag – convenient for packing camera, snacks, or layers
  • Breathable shirts and sports bras
  • Activewear or padded cycling leggings – I packed two leggings and two shorts for warmer/chillier days
  • Quick-dry socks
  • Rain jacket – this is Washington after all!
  • Lightweight fleece jacket or wind jacket
  • Sustainable sunnies and a hat
  • Sunscreen – 30spf or 50spf recommended
  • Sneakers or comfortable and light closed-toe shoes – my Allbirds were perfect for this trip!
  • Cushioned bike seat and fitted pedals (optional)
Bike parked in front of trail sign on Fidalgo Island
Cyclists on road with old growth forest in San Juan Islands in Washington state

Overall Thoughts & Takeaways

Cycling as a way of exploring a destination off-the-beaten path is an unforgettable experience! I have always thought a multi-day biking trip would be so much fun and now it’s confirmed. The next step is to cycle an entire country (or continent!).

If you are worried about the mileage of this trip, don’t be. I didn’t think I could do 10-12 miles per day easily but ended up knocking them out just fine and I think I could’ve done double mileage. Plus, there’s always the support vehicle there for you in case you want to skip out on one section of the ride.

If you have the chance to join the San Juan Islands cycling trip in the future, this is your sign to go for it! 🚴‍♀️ You won’t regret it. If you have any questions about logistics, the experience, etc, please drop your thoughts in the comments below.

PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST!

By: Bri · In: Responsible Travel, USA

you’ll also love

woman holding beer at highland brewing company in asheville north carolina21 Best Craft Breweries in Asheville, NC
Utah Welcome Sign | 2 Week Southwest Road Trip ItineraryThe Ultimate 2 Week Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (From Las Vegas to Denver)
Woman wearing wetsuit on boat looking at La Paz Bay on a whale shark tour.How to Ethically Swim & Snorkel with Whale Sharks in La Paz

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Jackery Solar Generator 1500 for Van Life: Complete Review

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide to INDIA

Swimming with Sea Lions in La Paz: Everything You Need to Know

21 Useful Tips & Tools for Working Remotely From Home or on the Road

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • COURSE
  • PODCAST
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confi Traveling solo in Nepal has awakened in me a confidence & sense of self (at the risk of sounding cliché), of “my essence” and inner Knowing, and where my compassion and passions mingle and thrive. I was reading some of your comments on my recent Reel about solo travel and how I put myself at great risk/in danger. But as I was telling my Tibetan friend, Sonam, tonight (yes, the new one I made last week!), I inform my decisions mostly by 1. Asking myself, “Would this make a good story?” and 2. Listening to my body and emotions. Yes, it’s risky to travel solo, to be a female in a male-dominated culture, to go out after hours with people you just met, etc. But doing that — and all the magic that followed by “allowing” — reminded me exactly of who I am at my core: Curious and open to the world, willing to get uncomfortable for the sake of finding magic and serendipity. Some of you said, “I’m too scared to do this, how do you overcome that fear of personal safety?” And to this I say, I don’t! Fear accompanies me along the journey. Living life is one big risk. It’s uncomfortable to be open, vulnerable, and unsure. But once you accept that and once you begin to let compassion and curiosity guide you rather than your fear, the real magic starts to happen in all areas of life, not just travel. I find these moments most in travel though, when I’m confronted with contrast and am left vulnerable to the world and the kindness of my fellow humans. My Reels are not meant to romanticize or gloss over very real risks/threats in life, but rather to share a real account of what’s possible (adventure, connections, love, etc) when you worry less about societal norms and what’s “safe not safe” “right not right” and allow your over-active fears to take a backseat. 
This is your reminder to trust your inner compass to guide you in writing your epic life story. ✨✨

To sum it up: 

1. Choose a life of adventure 
2. Stay curious
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (otherwise said, seek discomfort)
4. Let love and light flow in and out 
5. Change is the only constant 

#solotravel #nepaltravel #solofemaletraveler #soloadventure #localtravel #trekkingnepal #adventurethatislife
The strength of women 💛 These ladies were lau The strength of women 💛 

These ladies were laughing so sweetly while filling up their water jugs at the Manga Hiti fountain in Patan. I watched them for a while and then plucked up the courage to ask if I could take their photos, which only made them giggle more. 

I've always felt that not being able to communicate in the same language makes for even more interesting encounters. Without words, we have to touch each other's humanity with eyes and gestures, and most of the time it leads to unspoken mutual understanding, acceptance, and love. We three walked away with the biggest smiles on our faces. I yelled out "Dhayabad!" (Thank you!) as they hoisted their jugs up the stairs, laughing all the way. I won't forget this shared moment between us 🙏 

Check stories for the landscape orientation for some of these photos ✨ 

#nepal #nepalnow #nepalphotography #nepaliculture #nepalisbeautiful #natgeoyourshot #patan #kathmanduvalley #lifetimeexperiences #photonepal #nepaltravel
Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swi Did you feel it? Nepal’s ancient wisdom, its swirling spirituality, its raw humanity? ✨🇳🇵❤️

#nepal #visitnepal #nepalnow #travelstories #localtravel #mindfultravel #slowtravel #natgeotravel
When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay When you say “yes” as a solo traveler and stay open to the randomness of life and the kindness of strangers, really wonderful memories can be made. Thank you Lama family and my new Tibetan friends for such a fun and insightful sequence of experiences 🙏 💛

#solotravel #localtravel #nepaltravel #nepaldiaries #nepali #solofemaletravel #kathmandunepal #thamel #tibetanfood #solotraveldiaries
My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 My first week back in the chaos of Kathmandu, 💛 

Being back after 7 long years away has jolted my body, brain, and spirit. At first, I felt overwhelmed with the recurring thought of, "I don't know what to do with myself." It was only when acceptance knocked on my door, and I finally decided to let it in, that things began to shift and flow.
 
In Nepal, particularly Kathmandu, everything around me swarms like a hive. I have nowhere else to go but inside myself. I've discovered through years of slow traveling (and solo travel) that peace awaits me there -- a sense of independence, power, and knowing that is still, comforting, and safe. And I can tap into it whenever I need to.

Chaos and peace reside in all of us, and Nepal has a cosmic, ancient way of reminding you of just that. 

📍 Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur

#nepaltravel #patan #durbarsquare #nepalphotography #slowtravel #nepal #solotravel #lalitpur
They ask, “Why?” I was 29 when I embarked on They ask, “Why?” 

I was 29 when I embarked on the plane on the 21st, and 30 when I disembarked on the 23rd. How fitting. I spent all of my 20s abroad (except for my two final semesters in undergrad), and moved to Nepal when I was 21. 

What better way to say goodbye to my twenties than by returning to the start? I felt the desperate urge to start my 30s this way—alone on a one-way ticket with no concrete plans. I have both feared and longed to come back all these years. You see, I had made a promise to one of my closest Nepali friends that I’d see her again, but the reality is that I no longer can. 

She, along with another dear friend, passed away from cancer a couple of years back. The thought of returning to my old life here without my friends made me, well, incredibly sad. I had thought that, upon landing in Kathmandu—or taking a bite of my first momo—after so long, I’d find myself bursting into tears of both grief and gratitude. But I didn’t. Instead, I found familiarity in the chaos and chaos in the strangeness. 

Just being here—and the decisions and actions it took to get here—has reminded me of the preciousness of this one very short life. And that, by choosing to celebrate mine—at the exciting turn of a decade no less—by coming back to Nepal on a solo trip that would force me into daring discomfort when I could instead retreat to the comforts of family or my partner, is how I want to live it.

Truth is, a couple of months ago the thought of Nepal felt out of reach. It felt risky, unattainable. But the idea itself pushed open, just a crack at first, a door that had been otherwise closed. I could have more easily ignored my “what if?” daydreams—calling them off as too hard, too uncomfortable, or too far-fetched to actually pursue—and kept it shut.
But sometime in mid-July, I decided to look at flights. And I found one (truly, just one) option that could work. And it just so happened that it would fall on my birthday, or rather bridge my birthday. The idea of getting on a plane at 29 and getting off it at 30—back in Nepal—sold me. I fell in love with the story, the adventure, the unknowingness of it all. 

So, yeah. That’s why. Or as I prefer, “Why not?”
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • My Blog Course
  • Slomad Stories Podcast
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

8 shares