Overview
Eastsound is the commercial hub and largest population center on Orcas Island, in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. Artists, craftspeople and chefs from across the island operate shops along its short waterfront and lively main street, while those seeking the quiet island life come here to outfit their stay.
This article also covers the rural east half of Orcas Island, including the small communities of Doe Bay, Olga and Rosario.
7 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Eastsound
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Constructed in 1885, it is the oldest church in the San Juan Islands.
Moran State Park
Mount Constitution
The highest point in the San Juan Islands, at 2400 ft.
Obstruction Pass State Park
76 acres of forest and beach at the southern tip of the island. Includes 2 mi of trail.
Orcas Island Historical Museum
Summit Visitor Center
Displays about the Civilian Conservation Corps, the traditional Coast Salish people, a raised relief map of the park and a gift shop.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Port Angeles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ESD Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound — 1 mi away. Directions
- FRD Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor — 13 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 91 mi away (major hub). Directions
From the Orcas Village ferry terminal, take Orcas Road about 8 mi north into town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Orcas Island Historical Museum, Magic Air Biplane Tours
- Lunch Brown Bear Baking
- Afternoon Moran State Park, Observation Tower
- Evening The Lower Tavern
Day 2
- Morning Mount Constitution, Cascade Falls, Cold Springs Trail to Mt. Constitution
- Afternoon Obstruction Pass State Park, Summit Visitor Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Orcas Island is shaped like a horseshoe: the East Sound is the long inlet at the center, and Eastsound is the community at the end of the inlet, at the top of the arch.
History
Steamboats of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet used to dock at East Sound. One such vessel was the Sioux, a steel steamship built in 1910 and running out of Bellingham under the ownership of the Black Ball Line.
As the economy of the island transitioned from agriculture to tourism in the mid-1900s, the centrally-located Eastsound emerged as the island's services center.
Get in
By car
From the Orcas Village ferry terminal, take Orcas Road about 8 mi north into town.
By shuttle
By seaplane
Place Kenmore Air
Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands including Eastsound at the Rosario Resort. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive.
By boat
Get around
By bike
Perhaps the most pleasant way to get around the island, especially if you aren't in a hurry, is by bicycle. You can bring your own bike on the ferry, or rent one at various outlets around the island.
See
Moran State Park
This park is 5,252 acres with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails, including Mount Constitution. Seattle mayor and shipbuilder Robert Moran granted the land surrounding his Rosario residence to the state in 1921. This tract now holds the largest old growth forest in the islands.
A Discover Pass is required to park at Moran State Park and most other Washington State Parks. The pass costs $10 for one day, or $30 for one year from the purchase date. A pass is linked to a license plate number. Passes can be purchased at various locations within the park.
See Observation Tower
The austere 53 ft stone tower commands sweeping marine views from the highest point in the San Juan Islands. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, with a design inspired by Russian watchtowers from the 12th century.
See Cascade Falls
A 0.25 mi but steep walk to a 41 ft waterfall, without a lookout deck above the falls and access to the rocky Cascade Creek below. Continue east along the trail to see a series of smaller waterfalls along the next 0.5 mi.
Do
Do Cold Springs Trail to Mt. Constitution
4.3 mi one-way, 2400 ft gain. Climb through coastal old growth forest to the highest point in the islands, passing a CCC shelter on the way.
Buy
North Beach Rd and the short waterfront stretch of Main St are lined with galleries, souvenir stores and boutique shops. Prune Alley also has some restaurants mixed in with more utilitarian retail and services.
Eat
Eat Brown Bear Baking
An array of decadent sweet and savory pastries from two classically-trained bakers. Everybody remarks about the bear claws.
Drink
Drink The Lower Tavern
More than just a pub, holds bragging rights for best burger in town.
Sleep
Stay Rosario Village Resort (Moran Mansion)
Perhaps the most famous resort in the San Juan Islands, this grand hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has its own restaurants, spa, marina and sea plane launch. Built by the well known Seattle ship builder Thomas Moran in 1905, the Moran Mansion—surrounded at that time by 7,800 acres (32 km2) of land—that is now the centerpiece of Rosario Resort.
Campgrounds
Stay Moran State Park
The park has four campgrounds with 124 standard and six hiker/biker campsites. No electrical hookup sites available. Maximum site length is 45 feet. There is one dump station, five restrooms and 10 showers. Reservations through the State Parks website recommended.
Stay Northend Campground
Stay Midway Campground
Stay Southend Campground
Stay Mountain Lake Campground
Nearby
Waldron Island
Rural area · 1 listings · 6 mi away
Orcas Village
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Shaw Island
Rural area · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Blakely Island
Rural area · 2 listings · 11 mi away
Lummi Island
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
Friday Harbor
City / town · 27 listings · 13 mi away
Roche Harbor
City / town · 11 listings · 13 mi away
Stuart Island
Rural area · 7 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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