The Perfect San Juan Beginner Day Trip - Family Sailing (2023)

FAQs

How do you spend a day on San Juan Island? ›

Stay for two days to enjoy the full breadth of island life with morning mist rolling through the farmlands and fiery sunsets over the water. Consider visiting during the week to avoid larger weekend crowds and spend time island-hopping between activities on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Island.

Layered clothing (long and short sleeved shirts, long pant, shorts, base layer (merino, poly, silk, etc). The key is clothing layers that can be added/removed depending on weather. Fleece top and pants. Warm cap/hat, or sun hat, depending on season.

The San Juan Islands are located off the coast of Washington State, bordering Vancouver and Victoria BC islands. These islands are one of the true natural wonders of the world and definitely worth a visit, especially if you love the outdoors.

How much should I budget for a trip to Puerto Rico? A week's expenses in Puerto Rico for two people can range between $1,200 and $2,300. Visitors should always budget $200 or $300 more in case of any emergency.

"Top Gun" actor Tom Skerritt has a home on Lopez Island, while Bill Gates has one on Shaw Island and musician Steve Miller is selling his mansion on namesake San Juan Island for $16.8 million.

This probably doesn't come as much of a surprise, but the summer and early fall are undoubtedly the best time to visit the San Juans. The travel season to the San Juan Islands typically begins in April and continues through October, with July and August being the peak of the tourist season.

With over 247 clear days (and nights) per year and low light pollution, San Juan Island is uniquely (and stunningly) suited to observing the beautiful needle pricks in the cloak of night. At times you can see meteor showers, the northern lights and the most spectacular full moons shining on the glistening Salish Sea.

For now, we're taking you to San Juan Island for the day by ferry. The ferry provides beautiful views and ample time for gazing. As we mentioned, you'll want to grab one of the earliest options for a day trip to be worth your while.

For casual sailing, however, you can wear anything from shorts, to yoga pants, to hiking pants, to jeans. Whatever makes sense for the day and weather. Keep in mind that jeans will be very cold and ikcy when wet, so only wear those if you don't think there will be much spray on the sailboat.

What do you wear on your feet when sailing? ›

The soles of sailing shoes should be white to avoid stains on deck. If your footwear is not waterproof, then it is advisable that it is designed to be quick drying. The sole will usually be designed with channels that evacuate water (like the grooves in car tyres) to prevent slipping in the case of very wet decks.

No, if you are interested in sailing then start learning now…just be sure to wear your life-jacket and pay close attention to all safety instructions. I would also make an effort to learn to swim. It's a useful skill to have and it is fun. On a calm day you can swim off the side of the boat.

That doesn't mean you'll have to go without when vacationing on gorgeous San Juan Island. There are breathtaking lakes to explore, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a few sheltered coves, where the salty sea does warm up enough for a refreshing dip. Find the 5 Best Places to go Swimming on San Juan Island here.

If you're staying close to San Juan, then transportation might be relatively simple. You'll have access to a variety of options. In many instances, guests won't need a car (taxis and Uber are convenient options in town) unless they want to extend their visit beyond the city for an adventure.

Each of the islands is unique, and they offer plenty of scenery and opportunities for recreation, dining, and amusement. If for no other reason, island hopping from one destination to the next on the San Juan Island ferry is an absolutely beautiful journey.

If you go to the mountains of the island as a tourist, you should carry cash, just in case. To withdraw cash from an ATM, the banks from Puerto Rico will charge you a fee for each transaction and remember if you travel on an international flight, inform your credit card provider that you will be in Puerto Rico.

Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, locals are American citizens, and American travelers can enter the Island without carrying a passport. Nor do U.S. travelers require international calling plans for their phones. The currency used in Puerto Rico is the U.S. dollar.

You can use your U.S. dollars.

This makes spending money a breeze for U.S. tourists, who will also have access to American banks and ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it's smart to bring cash and smaller bills for tips and restaurants outside of San Juan.

Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Anna Faris are among many other recognizable names who have low-key places somewhere in the San Juan Island chain.

Reports indicate that Oprah Winfrey has purchased a 43-acre estate on Orcas Island for $8.275 million. Part of the estate includes a 10,000-square-foot, four bedroom, 3.75 bathroom house that features Sound and mountain views. Take a look at a photo gallery of the house below.

What country owns San Juan? ›

San Juan, capital and largest city of Puerto Rico, located on the northern coast of the island, on the Atlantic Ocean. A major port and tourist resort of the West Indies, it is the oldest city now under U.S. jurisdiction.

When is Rainy Season? Puerto Rico's rainy season bridges spring through fall, lasting from April through November. August is typically the wettest month, averaging seven inches (178 mm) of rain. The island's north experiences more rainfall than the south.

June is the hottest month in San Juan with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and the coldest is January at 25°C (77°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in October. The wettest month is November with an average of 157mm of rain.

While Puerto Rico enjoys warm weather year-round, like the majority of tropical Caribbean destinations, it's very much affected by hurricane season, which runs from June to November, with the greatest risk in August and September.

November through to February offer the darkest skies and longer evenings for maximum sky-gazing. The strongest lights tend to appear between 9pm and 2am, though the best sightings often occur between 11pm and midnight.

Peak season is considered the summer months of mid-June through early September. During this time, we see whales (orcas, humpbacks, greys and/or minkes) on over 90% of our tours. There are whales here year round, but much less predictably outside of those summer months.

So if the weather and aurora forecast are good, you might not need to take a tour to see the northern lights. But it's still a very good idea to sign up for a northern lights tour. Look for a northern lights tour where the guides will do everything in their ability to help you get a glimpse of the aurora.

How long is the ferry ride to the San Juan Islands? The direct passage from Anacortes to the westernmost island, San Juan Island, takes 1 hour and 5 min. Lopez, Orcas, and Shaw are all about 50-55 min direct passage from Anacortes. Routes with stops prior to your desired destination will, or course, take longer.

San Juan Island

This island offers a great 35-mile loop so you can explore without repeating your routes. Head out of Friday Harbor on Roche Harbor Road, and enjoy a ride to San Juan Vineyards, where you can take a break for a picnic and sample the winery's wares or buy them by the glass.

San Juan water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. We continuously monitor and test your water to ensure quality.

Can you wear sneakers for sailing? ›

The short answer is yes technically you can. Some tennis shoes, sneakers and moccasins are great for fine weather sailing, where there's little chance of your feet getting wet.

You may be wondering if wearing shoes on a boat is really necessary. With so much water flying around, going barefoot could be seen as a better way to go! But in reality, there are certainly plenty of reasons to consider wearing waterproof sailing shoes while on deck. The first reason is to protect your feet.

Yes, the choice is yours. Wetsuits can create friction on the skin, so wearing a swimsuit can reduce the discomfort. Also, if you plan to remove your wetsuit once you reach your destination, wearing a swimsuit may be a good idea if you want to be able to remove your wetsuit without discomfort.

Do you wear socks with boat shoes? Boat shoes are designed to be comfy and airy without socks, and most people keep their ankles bare for the classic maritime look – preferably with no-show socks. If you're going for an 80s preppy look, however, socks and boat shoes are definitely part of the uniform.

You want shoes with non-slip, non-marking soles. Most non-marking soles are made of rubber. Leather soles will generally leave marks on the deck. Deck shoes are generally a safe choice, but if you don't have these, you could also use sneakers with light rubber soles.

You Plan on Hiking - Boat shoes are just fine for walking the piers and streets of town. Or the back yard or office for that matter. But under no circumstances should these shoes be used for hiking out in the woods or in rocky terrain. While boat shoes have ok traction, the traction isnn't ideal for hiking.

Storms or Squall Winds

With the wind speed going above 48 knots, storms are dangerous situations and the seas may have huge waves going over 8 meters. These conditions are not ideal for sailing whatsoever and you should stay at home if possible.

Yes, you can legally sail around the world. However, some jurisdictions require legal documentation, such as proof of boat ownership and a visa when entering another country's port. You'll also want to make sure you're in the appropriate type of boat.

You will need to set aside money for extra sails, motors and other parts to have on hand for repairs. Recurring cost for maintenance and sailing clubs fees will average around $2,000 annually.

Imported beers tend to follow the traditional US school of light, Budweiser-type brews, and it's hard to find a wider selection of real ales and microbrews, even in San Juan. Note that the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, but it is strictly forbidden to drink on the streets (the beach is fine).

What is the least crowded beach in San Juan? ›

Piñones Beach

If you want to stay close to San Juan, this quiet beach is just 2 miles away. It's usually only frequented by locals, so you won't find any crowds.

If you're looking for a beach in San Juan that's less crowded than Isla Verde, drive a little farther to Ocean Park Beach. Even if Ocean Park Beach is small and doesn't have any facilities, this public beach sports a Miami Beach-style vibe and it offers adventurers sports like kite surfing and beach volleyball.

Anyone arriving to Puerto Rico will be required to present negative PCR test results, no older than 1 day. Arrivals from the US are exempt.

The vibrancy of Puerto Rican culture comes alive in its dishes, a celebration of flavors that visitors have the opportunity to indulge in. Some of the favorites are mofongo, tostones, pasteles, arroz con gandules, tembleque, and coquito.

Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more? The rules also apply to Caribbean islands that are U.S. territories. For instance, you won't need a passport to fly to and cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The fare for a vehicle and driver on all westbound interisland ferries is $17 to $21; walk-on passengers and passengers in cars ride free. Except for service from Sidney, fares are not collected on eastbound ferries, nor are walk-on passengers charged for inter-island ferry service.

The San Juan Islands are a small grouping of islands that all make for a great day trip from Seattle Southside. To get there, head north on I-5 for about an hour and a half until you reach Anacortes. From there, you'll have a chance to ride the ferry to my favorite island.

The full mileage of the trip is 41 miles and takes about 1.5hrs. However it is best enjoyed with frequent stops at the many parks and viewpoints along the way. It would be a great afternoon or morning drive with either lunch or dinner in Friday Harbor or at Roche Harbor Resort.

Ferry is by far the most popular method, and the journey from the port of Anacortes – a 90-minute drive north of Seattle – is beautiful. There are more than 170 islands in the archipelago, and regular car ferries serve the largest four: Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and San Juan Island.

If you're staying close to San Juan, then transportation might be relatively simple. You'll have access to a variety of options. In many instances, guests won't need a car (taxis and Uber are convenient options in town) unless they want to extend their visit beyond the city for an adventure.

What can you do in San Juan without a car? ›

The islands are accessible by ferry, plane, private boat and charters. You can either take your car on the ferry or park it at the ferry terminal and walk aboard, thus avoiding ferry lines. However, you need a vehicle to explore each island (exception, see San Juan Island topic, below).

In reality, though, Puerto Rico's capital is a vast metropolitan area that can be difficult to navigate for first-time visitors, with more than a dozen distinct neighborhoods and regions spanning more than 1900 sq miles. Here's everything you need to know about getting around in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The average depth is about 350 feet, but near its northern end it is more than 600 feet deep. Upright Channel branches off to the northeastward from San Juan Channel and separates Lopez Island from Shaw Island.

With over 247 clear days (and nights) per year and low light pollution, San Juan Island is uniquely (and stunningly) suited to observing the beautiful needle pricks in the cloak of night. At times you can see meteor showers, the northern lights and the most spectacular full moons shining on the glistening Salish Sea.

Seeing whales from shore is a possibility at Lime Kiln Point State Park, also known as Whale Watch Park, on San Juan Island's west side. Besides orcas, there's the potential for spotting humpbacks and minke whales from the park. Keep an eye out for porpoises, seals, sea lions and bald eagles there as well.

Magnificent orca (or killer) whales live in the San Juan Islands year-round, and this is the best place in the world to see them in the wild. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, Steller sea lions, and many other species of wildlife.