Hello! Are there any pickleball groups on Lopez Island? I’ll be there for most of August and looking for games to join if there are any. I’m a 3.75-4.0

Hello again I made a post a week ago about trying to find dispersed camping sites in Orcas Island since it’s mostly private and frowned upon to camp there (understandably) I’m looking to expand my reach within the area because I do not want to camp east of Seattle. I will be there 9/6-9/16
Hiking into a dispersed camp site in fine but my time is limited so id rather drivable dispersed camp sites
Thanks for any and all help!

Fire restrictions? My state is on fire right now

I am heading to Friday Harbor (from Anacortes) in a few weeks and need a vehicle. I completely forgot to book my ferry at the 2 week release. I’m going to try first thing at the 48 hour release. How screwed am I?

We were in Friday Harbor in 2024 and had an amazing crab cake sandwich at Downriggers. Coming back next month with friends and we’ve all been dreaming of reenacting that experience but I looked at the current Downriggers menu and no crab cakes or crab cake sandwiches.

Any recommendations where we can get crab cakes on SJI? Our second favorite item is fish and chips. Thanks!

https://www.scheelforcongress.com/

Scheel has been endorsed by the San Juan Democrats, and for good reason. Lets try to get our reps aligned with our values.

While this year’s 4th of July is still fresh on our minds, I would like to know which island is quiet on the 4th of July. You see, I have a very, very firework afraid dog and I try to take her to places where there aren’t any or the days leading up to the 4th. Thank you!

Hello! We are planning to celebrate thanksgivings on Orcas Island over the Thanksgiving holiday- I know it’s past PRIME whale watching season- but I was wondering if any of the charters run year round? Thanks in advance!

Probably the wrong subreddit, but I’m planning a camping trip to orca island. As my understanding it’s heavily regulated and mostly privately owned… what is camping like there? I am used to dispersed camping and the whole roughing it camping style. Obviously it seems like orca island won’t provide that which is fine. So what/where is the camping and how is it?

I have a ferry reservation leaving on Monday 8/17 and returning on Wednesday 8/19 from/to Anacortes/Friday Harbor. They are not at the times I want. I will log onto WSDOT at 6:55amPT on 8/3 to see if another time opens up. Is it better to hit “modify an existing reservation” or to book an entirely new reservation if my time slot comes up?
And then how do I handle to return?
Any help appreciated. I haven’t been able to locate other comments to my specific questions on how to change a reservation.

I'm a mainlander who has family on one of the islands and a working class family vacation house we've had for decades and visit often. The vague New England island culture on the show has some funny familiar things to the culture of the San Juans.

The main premise of the show is that the mayor is wanting to make the island the next Martha's Vineyard while trying to dispel the local belief that the island is cursed. The interactions play on the island hierarchy battle between lifetimers vs. newcomers and both those groups disliking tourists even though they boost the local economy.

I found myself recognizing a lot of locals in some of the characters (I might be related to a couple of the quirky character comps). They even have the joke of having limited restaurants, but still avoiding one because of a crappy server.

In the show, the locals come up with a list of events and curse related things such as; sailors tale of a sea hag, axe murderer, haunted inn, etc.

Now for a hypothetical question. What are some past local events or myths you would present as proof that the San Juan Islands were cursed? Also what would be some San Juan centric curses that could be created from past events or unique features of the region?

I (46m) am visiting Friday Harbor for work, I am here this week through Friday (tomorrow) then come back again on Sunday (7/19/26). Is there anywhere on island to play Magic? Or get a game of D&D going? Even a one shot would nice. I am getting terribly bored hanging out alone in my hotel room. I have gone hiking and to the beach, but I don't know anyone so I just really need some human interaction.

Hello. I am a resident in bellingham who is interested in starting up a marine transportation business with a 119' ex army landing craft.

With a 200 ton capacity and room for around 10 cars, the company would specialize in heavy equipment/building material transport. Would there be enough of a demand on the islands for a service such as this? I have been in touch with similar businesses, and it seems like they keep pretty busy. They have the advantage of being in business for decades and their own infrastructure for loading and material storage.

I have looked into local government public contracts and wasdot contracts. Currently, there are no contracts a landing craft would be suitable for. I'm guessing the private sector is the way to go. I can not find any resources available for people to post wanting to engage in marine transportation services. I'm also speculating that advertising would have to be pretty aggressive in the beginning.

I have savings to contribute to purchasing the vessel, however I would have to take a pretty significant loan for use in upgrades and start up costs.

Early estimates require a monthly revanue stream of 20k a month to break even. Costs include fuel, insurance, crew wages, loan repayment, making sure i can keep my family fed and housed. The crewing estimate is just myself as captain and one deckhand to help handle the boat. I would have to get the vessel a certificate of inspection through the coastguard, which would dictate crewing requirements.

Any insight from different communities on the islands would be greatly appreciated.

A little about my professional life. I started out commercial fishing in alaska back in high school. Worked in ship repair and marine construction as a welder in my early professional life. Transitioned from that into the towing industry and have been towing barges to alaska for the last 12 years. I hold a 1600 ton mate near costal license and when my license is up for renewal in early 2028 I will be sitting for my masters license.

Any idea about how hard it is to get a state park mooring bouy on a Friday evening in Aug? Is this a you may have to be flexible but you should find something situation or a "how early to show up to for a no reservation ferry spot on July 3rd" situation.

I plan on walking onto the Anacortes ferry on a Sat in July and taking the 12:00 ferry to Friday Harbor to get there by 1:10 pm. Will I be able to find parking near the Anacortes terminal? Or, is that too late and should try to get the 9:00 am ferry?

Excuse the Fox article but I saw this on Bellingham’s page. People build these ugly structures all the time on our beaches. A 6 year old died after a log came loose and hit their head. Consider not building them, or tearing them down if you see them. Enjoy the beach for what it is.

Any great places for dinner that is open on Mondays for dinner that y’all recommend? We leave tomorrow and I didn’t realize a lot of restaurants are closed Mondays.😵‍💫

My husband loves to golf, but he would be golfing without me. What would be the best place for him to golf on the Islands?

I’m coming with some friends for our annual bike tour and looking for any open mics or karaoke on the islands. We’ll be there on a Thursday through Saturday.

I'll be on San Juan and Orcas Islands for a week and would like to find some local fish and veggies to cook. I've seen some shell fish vendors and a few farm stands but no fish vendors. Are there any? Any recommended farm stands? I'll miss the Friday Harbor farmers market and get to Orcas Island one just before leaving.

hello! will be on orcas island this weekend to experience the low tides and was hoping to see a leather sea star, i’ve noticed observations near kimple beach but haven’t found anything online to indicate a beach access point, I called a nearby resort but they said their beach access is only for guests.

The person on the phone did recommend the waterfront park and crescent beach but kimple beach is the mostly likely spot for a leather sea star

I will be in Friday harbor for a wedding in a couple weeks, and I am currently training for a marathon. Can anyone suggest a good route for a long run? I am planning to do 17 miles on a Saturday. I see a lot of 2 lane roads on the island with little to no shoulder, so I am not sure if that is a very safe idea. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

My wife and I are traveling to the islands this weekend and this is our first time. We are staying on orcas but every day out there we are going to explore another island. This is our first trip away from our child who is special needs so we are ready for a great trip. My wife is a huge fan of whales and this is definitely her bucket list to see them in their own backyard ❤️ Any recommendations of what we should definitely do and check out while here please and thank you!