Overview
Roche Harbor is a small town on the northwest coast of San Juan Island, namesake of the picturesque San Juan Islands group. This bustling yacht and floatplane harbor makes a good base for exploring the island.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Roche Harbor
San Juan Island National Historical Park
The United States and Great Britain once made overlapping claims on the San Juan Islands. In 1859, they nearly went to war over a dead pig. Both established a military presence on the island, which are now preserved by t…
Lime Kiln Point State Park
A great viewing spot on the western end of San Juan Island that overlooks the Haro Strait. In season this is an amazing spot to view orcas and the lighthouse. The park features a richly diverse environment, includes the …
San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Over 20 acres of 150 creative outdoor sculpture works. Self-guided trails wind through the artwork and dogs are welcome. Near the base of the Roche Harbor runway and Susie's Mopeds, a short walk from Roche Harbor. A not-…
English Camp Visitor Center
This historic building has the park film, exhibits about the history and natural features of San Juan Island, a bookstore, and rangers on hand. Surviving buildings include a commissary, barracks, blockhouse, and hospital…
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.
- FRD Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor — 8 mi away. Directions
- ESD Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound — 13 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 89 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Anacortes on the mainland, take the Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor, at the other end of the island.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, English Camp Visitor Center
- Lunch Madrona Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan Island National Historical Park
- Dinner Lime Kiln Cafe
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
British Marines established a presence here in 1860 after Great Britain and the United States agreed to a joint military occupation until the territory dispute over the San Juan Islands could be resolved. Richard Roche scouted the area for an ideal site for the British Royal Marines encampment. After the territory dispute was settled in 1872 in favor of the U.S., the land encompassing Roche Harbor was homesteaded by American settlers.
Nearby, limestone was quarried, delivered by rail to chutes and dropped into kilns, then bagged or barreled within a short distance from the warehouse and wharf. Tacoma lawyer John S. McMillin established the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company in 1886, built the Hotel de Haro, and founded the Roche Harbor Yacht Club. Later owners developed the town into a boating resort.
Get in
By ferry
From Anacortes on the mainland, take the Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor, at the other end of the island.
From Friday Harbor, drive down Roche Harbor Rd for about 15 minutes.
By plane
Place Kenmore Air
Float planes make up to seven flights from Lake Union in Seattle to Roche Harbor marina and Friday Harbor, and then return. Shuttles can bring you from Sea-Tac Airport to Lake Union. A spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive.
- Roche Harbor has a small, private paved airstrip.
By boat
The U.S. port-of-entry at Roche Harbor closed in 2023. The nearest port-of-entry is Friday Harbor.
By bus
Place San Juan Transit
A private bus service that covers almost all points of interest on San Juan Island, and drivers can stop almost anywhere along the route. From Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, there is a departure about every hour between 9AM-6PM in summer, less frequently during the off-season. Some buses meet the ferries and will wait if a ferry is coming in; however check the schedules ahead of time. They also offer chartered services for group travel and guided bus tours for up to 29 people.
Get around
Roche Harbor is small enough that you can walk everywhere. The whole town is oriented around the harbor, and the hotels and docks that surround it.
See
In town
See San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Over 20 acres of 150 creative outdoor sculpture works. Self-guided trails wind through the artwork and dogs are welcome. Near the base of the Roche Harbor runway and Susie's Mopeds, a short walk from Roche Harbor. A not-for-profit work, $5 donation is recommended per adult. San Juan Transit buses stop here.
- Roche Harbor Marina is the heart of town. It is jammed with a variety of pleasure boats. The ambience is very pleasant, especially when the weather is fine. See the toilet service boat, M.V. Phecal Freak (motto: "we take crap from anyone" — really!)
Nearby
Roche Harbor makes a great base for exploring the west side of San Juan Island:
See English Camp Visitor Center
This historic building has the park film, exhibits about the history and natural features of San Juan Island, a bookstore, and rangers on hand. Surviving buildings include a commissary, barracks, blockhouse, and hospital. The Union Jack still flies there, being raised and lowered daily by park rangers, making it one of the very few places without diplomatic status where US government employees regularly hoist the flag of another country.
Do
Bicycling is pleasant on San Juan Island. There are various bike rental options, including one by the airport. It also rents motor scooters and jeeps.
One of the beaches on San Juan Island is a great place to watch orcas (killer whales).
Do Lime Kiln Point State Park
A great viewing spot on the western end of San Juan Island that overlooks the Haro Strait. In season this is an amazing spot to view orcas and the lighthouse. The park features a richly diverse environment, includes the remnants and landscapes of a history filled with change, along the rocky shoreline and through the wooded uplands. You can explore the beaches and trails as well as bird watch on the high rock crags. San Juan Transit buses stop here.
Eat
Mid-range
Eat Lime Kiln Cafe
Nice cafe on the wharf, pleasant in the summer. Enjoy the action from inside or out! Famous Lime Kiln doughnuts in the morning with their hearty breakfasts and lunch.
Eat Madrona Bar & Grill
An over-the-water restaurant dining on coastal-casual cuisine with flavorful cocktails. The deck sits over the harbor, offering diners the only sunset view over-water on the island. Fresh salads, creative grill sandwiches and famous BBQ ribs are menu favorites.
Splurge
Eat McMillin's Dining Room
A lovely fine dining experience in the top floor of the "deck restaurant" building on the waterfront. In a historically restored building from the original resort. Amazing local seafood and meats with a view!
Sleep
Nearby
Stuart Island
Rural area · 7 listings · 5 mi away
Friday Harbor
City / town · 27 listings · 7 mi away
Waldron Island
Rural area · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Shaw Island
Rural area · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Orcas Village
City / town · 10 listings · 9 mi away
Eastsound
City / town · 30 listings · 13 mi away
Lopez Island
City / town · 25 listings · 15 mi away
Blakely Island
Rural area · 2 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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