We're now planning a few extra days on Orcas Island, after a few on San Juan.
Have been to both a number of times.
And love them!

But, any ideas of something a bit out of the ordinary to experience from there?

We have done kayaking, so will include that again. But if you did an exceptional trip from there, please *do* share.

We've never done a moonlight one...maybe we'll look into that.

Mostly wondering...has anyone here caught a water taxi or similar to an island not served by the ferries for a day of hiking or similar??

Would love ideas & recommendations!!
Have heard Sucia mentioned, but wonder if its views as nice as those from Orcas?
Logistics? Any other spot you've explored by way of Orcas?

Also, open to a sailboat outing, I suppose, altho' not sure if it's in our budget or not. Thanks in advance for any creative ideas! (still pondering spending b-day here vs. Hurricane Ridge area which would by necessity be very short trip...
so thinking of saving for another time)

Sucia Island is a great anchorage for boats, and it is fun to explore the rocky U-shaped island, but the views do not begin to compare to the much higher viewpoints on Orcas. We have sailed there several times, and I would recommend it as a fine day trip, but not for the views. Nearby Matia Island is fun too. We have friends who rented a 16ft runabout for about $250 for the day, and explored all of the northern islands (Sucia, Matia, Patos). You can rent a 24ft sloop for a similar amount.

What about taking the ferry to Lopez Island and biking around for the day (or even overnight)?

Thanks so much for the feedback.
Will be my b-day (the extra time we have) so just seeking some unique fun.

Do you like Lopez quite a bit then?
Think it would have nicer scenes/views
than Sucia too?

We might have one night we could do there...but 'tis hard to tear ourselves away from the old stand-bys. ;-) (the ones we already know we love, San Juan & Orcas)

We're not bicyclists, not yet anyway...so thus far, haven't explored Lopez which I hear is esp. nice for that.

Wonderful idea re: renting our own boat! That would provide us w/a bit more freedom I suppose to explore whatever calls to us. (as long as easy to pull into these isles?)

Guess I'll need to find out more re: renting & how one moors at each.
Thanks again!

Have you whale watched by kayak? It's amazing.

If you haven't explored Shaw and Lopez, and are looking for something different, I'd encourage you to go there. Lopez has some great parks-Spencer Spit, Shark Reef, etc, and is less touristed in general. Shaw has a great biological preserve that is completely undeveloped, but open to the public-it's a fantastic place to wander around and not see another soul. Hardly anyone goes to Shaw because there are no tourist facilities except for one campground. Either island would be an easy day trip from the other two (or a nice stop on the way back to Anacortes).
There aren't any other islands that have the same great views as Orcas because none have the same elevations. This doesn't mean the other islands don't have beautiful spots, but you seem to want views.

If you pick up a copy of San Juan Islands: Afoot and Afloat, you'll read about lots of wonderful spots you might not know about.

Here is the rental source that our friends used:
http://www.orcasboats.com/

I like biking Lopez, because it is so much flatter thatn Orcas! We once tried biking around Orcas and then up to Mt. Constitution, and I almost died. We ended up walking the last mile or so up Mt. Constitution. Lopez is very pleasant and more laid-back, so it is easier to bike around there. Again, none of the San Juan Islands can compare to Orcas for views, but it is still nice, particularly from the Spencer Spit State Park area.

Sucia does have lovely views up the hike that is to the WNW of Echo Bay. It's an easy hike and goes up and up to beautiful viewpoints. It isn't as high as the heights of Orcas, of course. Sucia also has some pretty rock formations and nice hiking along a madrones forest. It's good for kayaking too, with all the limestone rock cliffs. As they say in the books, stay away from Echo Bay in the rare southeasterly. We got hit by one of them and it was an experience to be missed!

Stuart Island is a pretty fun one to go by boat. They have a one room school house and good hikes out to water's edge as well. It's a lot bigger than Sucia and has people living on it (retired people and hippies, mostly). Sucia is a marine park with no houses.

Thanks so much, you guys! Sorry if I gave the wrong impression...
I don't need high views at all.
Actually, like things more intimate, in a way. Only mentioned views I think 'cos sometimes I don't enjoy the wide open views from the North shore of Orcas so much. (or from certain sides of the Gulf ones, where you sometimes view dry landscapes more)

Maybe since we live in Calif, I just love seeing more "northwestern" in style views vs. a bit less distinctly so ones. (gosh...best stop now...my grammar is deteriorating by the minute here!!)

Don't need high views. Just would like something picturesque & somehow a tad different than what we might see on Orcas. (just for fun)
Hmmm....Lopez & Shaw too sound a bit more intriguing.

Guess if we'd do Shaw, we need our own lunches w/us?

Also, I don't know the rules if we rent our own simple boat as far as pulling into places...
Thanks again for the great ideas & feedback as this is a topic not covered much on these boards!

All the best to you...

There is a little store at the ferry dock at Shaw, and you could could probably put together a lunch from what they have, but it might be better to just bring your own sandwiches or whatnot. Here's a link. It's no longer run by nuns, however.
http://tinyurl.com/sx7lw

I can't find much online about the biological reserve-you might just need to look at a map or ask at the store for directions. Or, if you just explore the southern shore by road I'm sure you'll find it.