Orcas Island Amenities

Orcas is home to a quite a few resorts, inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments, but they fill up quickly during the summer months. If you're planning a visit, we strongly recommend that you make arrangements well in advance.

Resorts, Hotels, and B&Bs

The following list is by no means complete, but it will give you an idea of where you can stay on Orcas.

Deer Harbor Resort and Marina (3) is where the big pleasure boats tie up and raise the cocktail flag. The resort's owners have invested heavily in a better dock and more amenities, and Deer Harbor now features a stylish restaurant open during the warmer months, a year-around convenience store on the dock, and restrooms with pay showers. Cottages with private hot tubs are available, as well as cottages without the tub feature and standard guest rooms. Call (360) 376-4420.

Beach Haven Resort (4) is a quiet place, well suited for families or for couples seeking seclusion. Guests can choose between rustic log cabins, situated on the waterfront and featuring kitchens, or modern apartments at the lodge. Summer Hours: Open Every Day, 10-6 specials are avialable. Pets are not allowed, and the resort does not have a restaurant. Contact Beach Haven at (360) 376-2288 or visit the Beach Haven Resorts site.

West Beach Resort (5) is a popular family destination with beautiful sunset views from the shoreline. Beachfront cabins are available on a weekly basis only (Saturday to Saturday) during July and August. Lower rates and accommodations for shorter stays are available during other times of the year. Kayak tours are also available. Call West Beach at (360) 376-2240.

Orcas Hotel (6) is a stately old white clapboard establishment overlooking the ferry landing. It features a year-around cafe as well as a restaurant that is open during the summer months. Call (360) 376-4300 for information. Note: The Orcas Hotel is not recommended for visitors with children.

Outlook Inn (7) is located right in the village of Eastsound. They have a number of luxury suites, acclaimed as the best suites in the San Juans by Travel magazine. The number is (360) 376-2200.

Kangaroo House (8) is just one of many nice B&Bs on Orcas. It's a meticulously kept-up estate home about a mile north of Eastsound, and we've heard good things about it from our customers. Guests enjoy an excellent breakfast and use of a hot tub. Phone (360) 376-2175 or visit the Kangaroo House site.

Anaco Bay Inn. On the Anacortes end of the ferry trip is the Anaco Bay Inn, a welcoming place to stay on your way to or from the San Juans. Visit the Anaco Bay Inn site.

Camping

Moran State Park (A on the map above) has three main camping areas: North End, Midway and South End. From October 1 to March 31, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are strongly recommended during the peak season. Fifteen primitive sites are also available for hikers and bikers only. Moran State Park offers pay showers in its restroom facilities. For park information, call (360) 376-2326. To make reservations, call (800) 452-5687.

Doe Bay (B) offers campsites as well as resort accommodations. The Upper Field sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the more desirable sites at Otter Point can be reserved by calling (360) 376-2291.

Obstruction Pass State Park (C) has nine free camping sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must walk yourself and your bike in from the parking lot about half a mile away. Also, you must bring your own water, and the campground's restroom facilities are limited to outhouses. Because the campground has marine access, it tends to fill up with boaters, especially in the summer.

West Beach (D) offers campsites that can be reserved for a fee. Hot showers and laundry facilities are available. Call (360) 376-2240 for details or to make reservations.

Dining and Shopping

Eastsound features a large grocery store (Island Market), two banks, a drugstore, a good bookstore, and an assortment of interesting shops. On Saturdays in the summertime, local farmers set up a market on Eastsound's main commercial street. There you can find excellent produce at reasonable prices.

There is no shortage of restaurants in Eastsound. Visitors who want a good hamburger and perhaps a cold beer will find both at the Lower Tavern, right next to the grocery store. Chimayo offers Tex-Mex food, and The Kitchen offers take-out Asian food. Home Grown Market, an organic food store, has a nice deli in back where you can buy a wholesome lunch. The local pizza joint is called Portofinos, and it's a good one.

Visitors who want to dine out in style will find several places in Eastsound worth checking out. Bilbo's offers good Mexican food. Ship Bay Oyster House serves seafood and is located about half a mile east of town. New restaurants include Thai Sisters and Herbs, which serves vegan food.

The "fancy" restaurant in Eastsound is Christina's. In the tradition of fashionable eateries everywhere, it is situated on the second floor of a gas station. They offer a gourmet selection of fresh Northwest seafood, and you'll enjoy a great view of the tranquil waters of the sound itself.

A number of shops and restaurants are scattered around the island, mostly near the marine access points. Orcas Landing, also called Orcas Village, is the first enclave you'll see if you arrive by ferry, and after Eastsound, it's the most significant commercial area. A number of shops and eateries, mostly catering to the seasonal trade, are spread along the road near the ferry dock. The Orcas Hotel, an elegantly kept-up older establishment, has a nice dining room.

You'll also find restaurants at Deer Harbor Resort, Rosario Resort and Doe Bay Resort.