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Site Index:Featured articles and guide books Maps to the Tower House, the San Juan Islands and to WashingtonThe pages below are information pages, etc.: weather report Seasonal Changes on San Juan Island
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What's It Like on San Juan Island On an island, the weather can change quickly and it is never reliably predictable (but is anywhere?). I've been here in winter when it snowed for a week (one day a year is more common). We've also had winters that were like fall all winter. It may not rain hardly at all in spring as in 95 when the island was lookiing quite brown by June, then it rained quite a bit in August, even though it rarely rains at all in August. Overall, weather in the San Juans is milder with about twice as many sunny days and about half as much rain as Seattle area. This is because the San Juan Islands are part of a rain shadow that also includes part of Whidbey Island and the area around Sequim and Port Townsend on the mainland. Daytime temperatures in the 70's are common in summer and 40's in winter. Plan for a range of temperatures, but nothing very severe. I was reminded of that line by our guests that got snowed in Dec. of 96. For a current forecast that's as easy to read as a TV forecast try Weather.com. For a five day forecast, try AccuWeather. Or click
here:
Favorite monthMy favorite month is May. Tourism is light, the wildflowers are out, the weather is pleasant, the island is green and late May, early June is usually the most active time of year for Orca whales. The typical season for Orcas is from April through July. But like weather, typical is not the same as always and never. Be sure and check out the Orca picture on my "Pictures around the Island" page. The Orcas travel along the West side of San Juan
Island so often during late May and early June you can usually encounter them even on a
kayak trip. Because of our protected calm waters, kayaks are an especially pleasureable
way to experience the islands. If the Orca whales do decide to come close, you'll find
yourself looking up at them from a kayak, instead of down on them from shore or a regular
boat. The change of perspective is impressive to put it mildly. Picture yourself at water
level when a six foot dorsal fin comes out of the water, then a whale that dwarfs your
kayak. The whale aims at the center of your kayak, then goes under it. I can tell you from
experience it is a "heart stopper"; but the whale never even rocked my boat and
as far as I know, they never do. Try one of the following kayak expedition groups:Discovery Sea Kayaks specializing
in small groups and may even pick you up at Tower House. Personally, I love their
sunset trips without all the whale watch and other boats all around. In business for close
to 20 years, Outdoor
Odysseys offers quality, hand crafted 1, 3 and 5 day tours in the premier Orca whale
habitats off the west side of San Juan Island. Western Prince has great naturalists and give a lot back to the local ecology and animal groups. Carli Charters takes up to six passengers on a 2006 C-Dory 25 leaving from the main dock J-4 in Friday Harbor. (888) 221-1331 or (360) 378-0302. San Juan Safaris: San Juan Safaris also offers naturalist guided whale watching tours from the wild-life rich west side of San Juan Island. They specialize in small groups. Small boats and sit-on-top kayaks are available for rent. San Juan Excursions has a large comfortable boat. Great for families, large groups and will even give you a free pass for another day if you don't see whales. Maya's Whale Watch also launches from Snug Harbor. If a big crowded boat lacks appeal, this tour boat only takes a maximum of 6 people. Maybe you'd enjoy an elegant private charter or would
like to charter your own boat. For bird watchers, March, April & May are active months for building nests. As we sit by the large bay window of our kitchen, we watch the eagles swooping down to gather building materials, often causing the ducks to take flight from the pond. Need a check list for bird watching or finding other critters? Try the Wildlife Discovery Guide & Map from Archipelago Press |
