June on San Juan Island

June on San Juan Island offers amazing adventures and exceptional events at pre-Summer rates and is simply a Washington must-do. Pack your raincoat and bikini, the wool hat and flip-flops and make your way up to paradise just 65 miles north of Seattle.

Artists’ Studio Tour

June on San Juan Island starts off with the fabulous Artists’ Studio Tour. This free, self-guided tour of more than a dozen working studios will lead you all around the isle, where artists open up their personal studio spaces and artistic gardens to the public for an entire weekend. In addition to displaying their work, including sculpture, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, glass, fiber, and fine art, the artists share insights into how their art is created and what inspires and motivates them in their chosen media.

Watercolor by talented Islander Daniel Finn.

June is Orca Action Month

Visit the acclaimed Friday Harbor Whale Museum and its events around Orca Action month right across the street from our Bird Rock Hotel, as well as the comprehensive Orca Survey Outreach and Education Center a block from us, before heading to the whale watching park to observe the gentle giants in one of the best places to see Orcas from land on Earth. Treat your family to a guided whale watching tour with our friends at San Juan Safaris, who have two naturalists on board of every tour to explain the wonders and challenges of the beautiful Salish Sea.

Orca Sing

Come to this profound annual summer solstice event at the whale watch park, dedicated to the recovery of our endangered Southern Resident Community of orca whales. First Nations naturalists/educators Odin Lonning and Orca Annie (Kéet Shuká) will offer Tlingit drumming, songs, and urgently needed Indigenous perspective about killer whales, especially on recovery of our cherished Southern Residents. Come bring a picnic, enjoy the music and rare tours of the historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse, and watch for whales as the sun sets.

June is Pride Month

Don’t miss the cheerful SJI Pride Fest at Brickworks Sunshine Plaza in mid June for an afternoon of good food and libations, vendor booths, drag shows and games. Stay for the 18+ DJ after-party and dance your socks off under the stars.

Bioluminescent Kayak Tour

Here in the Salish Sea, the bioluminescence is most active after hot and sunny days and is most visible during the new moon. For this reason, our friends at San Juan Outfitters only offer this tour during select times throughout the summer, starting in June. This truly is a bucket-list item, so very cool.

Swim! Bike! Run!

Take part in the Three Lakes Triathlon and San Juan Island Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K at Lakedale in mid June, voted “Race of the Month” by Runner’s World magazine. This racing weekend promises to be filled with fun, food, and athletes of all ages and abilities!