Orcas Island Guidebook
Lunch, Dinner, Beer & Wine
A local favorite pub serving burgers, fish and chips, clam chowder, and other pub fare. Non pretentious with plenty of cold beer on tap.
32 locals recommend
The Lower Tavern
46 Prune AlleyA local favorite pub serving burgers, fish and chips, clam chowder, and other pub fare. Non pretentious with plenty of cold beer on tap.
A seafood lover's dream and perfect on a sunny day looking straight out onto Buck Bay. The oysters are farmed straight from the bay in front of the property but they also serve clams, crab, other seafood dishes, and a wide range of beer and wine. This is a must visit and is walking distance from The Stuga.
25 locals recommend
Buck Bay Shellfish Farm
117 E J. Young RdA seafood lover's dream and perfect on a sunny day looking straight out onto Buck Bay. The oysters are farmed straight from the bay in front of the property but they also serve clams, crab, other seafood dishes, and a wide range of beer and wine. This is a must visit and is walking distance from The Stuga.
As close to fine dining as you get on Orcas set in a casual atmosphere. We consider this to be the best meal on the island, and they have outdoor seating. The menu changes regularly, but most everything is made from scratch including their breads, butter, and sauces.
Material Wit
269 Main StAs close to fine dining as you get on Orcas set in a casual atmosphere. We consider this to be the best meal on the island, and they have outdoor seating. The menu changes regularly, but most everything is made from scratch including their breads, butter, and sauces.
The waterfront Doe Bay Café on the southeast shore of Orcas Island is dedicated to celebrating the unique seasonality, flavor and freshness of Orcas Island farms, foragers and fishermen with every plate that comes out of their kitchen.
18 locals recommend
Doe Bay Cafe
107 Doe Bay RdThe waterfront Doe Bay Café on the southeast shore of Orcas Island is dedicated to celebrating the unique seasonality, flavor and freshness of Orcas Island farms, foragers and fishermen with every plate that comes out of their kitchen.
A true local’s favorite crafting their own brews on-island with the popular Elwha Rock IPA, Madrona Red, and K-POD Kolsch. Complete with outdoor patio, board games, small plates of food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage options.
25 locals recommend
Island Hoppin' Brewery
33 Hope LnA true local’s favorite crafting their own brews on-island with the popular Elwha Rock IPA, Madrona Red, and K-POD Kolsch. Complete with outdoor patio, board games, small plates of food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage options.
Located on an idyllic part of the west side of the island, you can taste the amazing wines produced right here on Orcas in their modern farmhouse or outdoors in their wine garden.
6 locals recommend
Orcas Island Winery
2371 Crow Valley RdLocated on an idyllic part of the west side of the island, you can taste the amazing wines produced right here on Orcas in their modern farmhouse or outdoors in their wine garden.
Breakfast & Coffee
The owners perfected their craft in San Francisco and serve some of the best pastries and baked goods we've ever had. Top choices are their Kougin Amagn, Croissants, and quiches.
They also serve excellent coffee, lattes, and espresso. There is typically a line all morning but worth the wait. This is a must visit while on Orcas.
38 locals recommend
Brown Bear Baking
29 N Beach RdThe owners perfected their craft in San Francisco and serve some of the best pastries and baked goods we've ever had. Top choices are their Kougin Amagn, Croissants, and quiches.
They also serve excellent coffee, lattes, and espresso. There is typically a line all morning but worth the wait. This is a must visit while on Orcas.
Excellent coffee with a shorter line than Brown Bear, and open earlier. You can't go wrong here.
Roots Orcas Island
68 North Beach RoadExcellent coffee with a shorter line than Brown Bear, and open earlier. You can't go wrong here.
Located in the Island Market grocery store, they serve great lattes and espresso and are open early every day.
Teezer's Coffee House
469 Market StLocated in the Island Market grocery store, they serve great lattes and espresso and are open early every day.
A newer staple on the island, they serve normal brunch fare as well as smoothies, bowls, juices, and even pizza. Typically a line, but worth the wait.
17 locals recommend
Wild Island Restaurant
18 Urner StA newer staple on the island, they serve normal brunch fare as well as smoothies, bowls, juices, and even pizza. Typically a line, but worth the wait.
Pizza
Classic pizza joint for the family, no frills, just good pizza with dough made fresh daily.
8 locals recommend
Pizzeria Portofino
325 A StClassic pizza joint for the family, no frills, just good pizza with dough made fresh daily.
Woodfired pizza using local organic ingredients in an intimate space. If you like quality wood fired pizza, this is your place.
24 locals recommend
Hogstone's Wood Oven
460 Main StWoodfired pizza using local organic ingredients in an intimate space. If you like quality wood fired pizza, this is your place.
Activities on Orcas
There are two places to access the water to explore tidepools and enjoy the beach. The first is to the right of the public dock, there is a somewhat steep walkway down to the beach that is aided by a rope, please access at your own risk.
The second is by walking down Ohlert Ln towards The Hiatt House and walking down the marked path to Buck Bay, it's a 2 minute walk in total. This is best accessed at low tide so you can explore on the rocks and tide pools. At high tide there isn't much of a beach.
Olga Pottery
6928 Olga RdThere are two places to access the water to explore tidepools and enjoy the beach. The first is to the right of the public dock, there is a somewhat steep walkway down to the beach that is aided by a rope, please access at your own risk.
The second is by walking down Ohlert Ln towards The Hiatt House and walking down the marked path to Buck Bay, it's a 2 minute walk in total. This is best accessed at low tide so you can explore on the rocks and tide pools. At high tide there isn't much of a beach.
A five minute drive from The Stuga, explore all of the trails, lakes, and forest with activities for the whole family. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to take on the lake, or take your mountain bike on the trails starting in September. The forest in Moran is truly wild and natural, with dense stands of fir and a carpet of moss on the forest floor. Freshwater lakes and waterfalls can be found throughout the park. Walk around Cascade Lake and cliff jump or jump off the bridge with the locals (or just watch!). A Discover Pass is required to park and can be purchased with a credit card at the parking lot. In summer, the shack serves ice cream and snacks all day.
69 locals recommend
Moran State Park
3572 Olga RdA five minute drive from The Stuga, explore all of the trails, lakes, and forest with activities for the whole family. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to take on the lake, or take your mountain bike on the trails starting in September. The forest in Moran is truly wild and natural, with dense stands of fir and a carpet of moss on the forest floor. Freshwater lakes and waterfalls can be found throughout the park. Walk around Cascade Lake and cliff jump or jump off the bridge with the locals (or just watch!). A Discover Pass is required to park and can be purchased with a credit card at the parking lot. In summer, the shack serves ice cream and snacks all day.
Take a drive up to the tallest mountain in the San Juans. Views of Canada, Mt. Baker, Rainier, and the other islands will greet you at the top. Go on a sunny day or at sunrise to make the most of your visit. Discover Pass required and can be purchased at the top with a credit card.
19 locals recommend
Mount Constitution
Take a drive up to the tallest mountain in the San Juans. Views of Canada, Mt. Baker, Rainier, and the other islands will greet you at the top. Go on a sunny day or at sunrise to make the most of your visit. Discover Pass required and can be purchased at the top with a credit card.
Explore the west side of the island by hiking up to the top of Turtle Back and you'll be rewarded with views of the northern Sound into Canada. An easier hike than constitution and less traveled. Park at the East lot for the most direct route to the top, but less scenic. Park at the West lot for a longer, winding hike with views throughout the hike.
20 locals recommend
Turtleback Mountain South Trailhead
Explore the west side of the island by hiking up to the top of Turtle Back and you'll be rewarded with views of the northern Sound into Canada. An easier hike than constitution and less traveled. Park at the East lot for the most direct route to the top, but less scenic. Park at the West lot for a longer, winding hike with views throughout the hike.
City advice
Don't miss
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
A five minute drive from The Stuga, explore all of the trails, lakes, and forest with activities for the whole family. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to take on the lake, or take your mountain bike on the trails starting in September. The forest in Moran is truly wild and natural, with dense stands of fir and a carpet of moss on the forest floor. Freshwater lakes and waterfalls can be found throughout the park. Walk around Cascade Lake and cliff jump or jump off the bridge with the locals (or just watch!). A Discover Pass is required to park and can be purchased with a credit card at
Don't miss
Weekend Farmer's Market (Summer Only)
Perfect on a sunny summer weekend, the farmers market is known for amazing produce grown right here on Orcas as well as the food stalls where you can get pizza, oysters, burritos, and other local artisan food, art, and goods.
Don't miss
Whale Watching
You are almost guaranteed to see orca whales when booking an excursion, and you might even see some Grey whales too. We recommend going with a company that has a boat with a covered section as some of the outfitters use large rafts with no coverage from the weather. We recommend Orcas Eclipse Charters or Outer Island Excursions.
Book before you go
Ferry Reservations
Make sure to book you ferry reservations ROUND TRIP. WSDOT opens up slots 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days in advance. Its best to secure your spot early. Reservations can be made here:
https://secureapps.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/reservations/vehicle/SailingSchedule.aspx