Friday Harbor, Washington offers a diverse range of attractions and activities that appeal to various interests and offers several historical sites and attractions that are worth visiting:

For Boaters and Water Enthusiasts
Friday Harbor is a popular year round destination for boaters, offering excellent marina facilities and access to the beautiful waters of the San Juan Islands.

The harbor itself provides opportunities for kayaking, whale watching tours, and exploring the local marine life. Boaters can enjoy docking at the Port of Friday Harbor and observing visiting boats from around the world.


Friday Harbor is a designated port of entry for vessels coming from Canadian waters. Here are the procedures for clearing customs at Friday Harbor:
- Upon entering U.S. waters, fly the yellow quarantine (Q) flag on your starboard spreader[2].
- Proceed to Friday Harbor and tie up at the middle section of Breakwater Dock B (the middle breakwater dock).
- Only the captain should leave the boat to report to customs. All other passengers must remain on board until cleared.
- The captain has two options for reporting: a. Visit the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in town.
b. Use the customs booth on the dock, which has a phone to contact officials. - Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Name, date of birth, and citizenship of all persons on board (including passport numbers)
- Name of the boat and/or boat registration number
- CBP user fee decal number (if the boat is 30 feet or longer)
- Homeport and current location
- Return contact number
- If all passengers are enrolled in trusted traveler programs like NEXUS, I-68, or Global Entry, you may be eligible to clear customs by phone by calling 1-800-562-5943.
- Alternatively, you can use the CBP ROAM smartphone app to report your arrival and potentially expedite the clearance process.
- Once cleared, replace the Q flag with the U.S. flag.









Remember to have all necessary documentation ready, including passports for all passengers, vessel registration, and any applicable permits or licenses. It’s also important to be aware of and declare any restricted or prohibited items you may be bringing into the country.

There are restrictions on goods you can bring into Friday Harbor from Canada. As Friday Harbor is a U.S. port of entry, it follows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. Here are some key points regarding restrictions:
Duty-Free Limits
- U.S. residents outside of the U.S. for less than 48 hours can import merchandise up to $200 in value per person without duty.
- For stays more than 48 hours, the limit increases to $800 per person.

We Chartered a Grand Banks in 2023
Restricted and Prohibited Items
Several categories of items are either restricted or prohibited:
- Weapons and ammunition: These are subject to strict regulations.
- Alcohol: There are limits on the amount of alcohol you can bring in duty-free.
- Food:
- Many food items, especially fresh produce, meats, and seafood, have restrictions.
- All homemade food is prohibited.
- It’s recommended to wait to buy fresh foods until after clearing customs.
- Cannabis products: These are prohibited.
- Animals:
- Pets must be reported with proper documentation.
- Raw pet food is strictly prohibited.
- Canned cooked pet food and kibble is unrestricted up to 20 kg (about 44 lbs).
- Currency:
- Cash or other monetary instruments exceeding $10,000 U.S. per boat must be reported.







General Guidelines
- If in doubt about any item, it’s best to declare it to CBP. Failure to declare items can result in fines and penalties.
- For ease, try to restrict what you bring back to products made or grown in Canada, though even this isn’t always sufficient.
It’s important to note that customs regulations can change, so it’s advisable to check the most current information on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov) before your trip.







For Historians
The town has a rich history that would interest historians:
- The Whale Museum, housed in an 1892 Odd Fellows Hall, showcases the area’s maritime history.
- San Juan Island National Historic Park preserves the sites of the “Pig War” border dispute between British and American forces in 1859.
- The town features historic buildings and sites that reflect its past as a seaport.

For Divers and Marine Enthusiasts
The waters around Friday Harbor are ideal for diving and marine research:
- Friday Harbor Laboratories, a marine biology field station of the University of Washington, is located here, offering research opportunities and educational programs.
- The area’s clear, cold waters are home to diverse marine life, making it attractive for scientific studies and diving.



There is a significant research station at Friday Harbor. The Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL) is a marine biology field station of the University of Washington. It offers research facilities, educational programs, and hosts scientists from around the world studying marine biology and related fields.

For Sportsmen and Outdoor Enthusiasts
The island offers various outdoor activities:
- Hiking trails in the numerous parks and preserves.
- Fishing opportunities in the surrounding waters.
- Birdwatching, especially at places like San Juan Island National Historic Park.

- Shaw Island Classic is note worthy.
- This is a significant annual sailboat race organized by the San Juan Island Yacht Club (SJIYC).
- The 54th Annual Shaw Island Classic was held scheduled Saturday, August 10, 2024.
- The race starts and finishes in Friday Harbor, with participants rounding Shaw Island in either direction.
- It’s typically followed by a party and dinner at the yacht club.









For Flyers
FFlyersFriday Harbor does have a small airport that serves the island, which would be of interest to pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
For Engineers
The area’s unique geological features and marine environment could be of interest to engineers, particularly those focused on marine or environmental engineering. The Friday Harbor Laboratories also conduct research that may involve engineering aspects.

The San Juan Islands are situated in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and receive significantly less rainfall than other areas in the Puget Sound region. Throughout the year and particularly in the dry summer months, this area is subject to severe drought conditions. Annual rains of 16 – 32 inches produce a precious reservoir of groundwater that nourishes fresh water habitats and supplies much of the water needs of the islands.

For Tourists
Friday Harbor offers numerous attractions for tourists:
- Art galleries, museums, and cultural events.
- Whale watching tours and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Local shops, restaurants, and farmers markets[5].
- Scenic beauty and outdoor recreational activities.

Several ferry options serve Friday Harbor, with the primary service provided by Washington State Ferries. Here’s a breakdown of the ferry services and costs for bringing a car to Friday Harbor:
Washington State Ferries
This is the main ferry service connecting Anacortes to Friday Harbor:
- The ferry route runs from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
- Fares are collected at Anacortes for both the outbound and return trip.
- For a standard vehicle (under 22′) and driver, the fare is $77.50.
- Fares may vary depending on the season, with higher rates during summer
It’s important to note:
- Reservations are recommended for vehicles, especially during peak seasons.
- During summer, wait times without a reservation can be several hours long.

Other Ferry Services
While these services don’t accommodate cars, they provide additional passenger options:
- Puget Sound Express:
- Operates seasonally (mid-April to early October) from Port Townsend to Friday Harbor.
- Carries passengers, bicycles, and sea kayaks.
- San Juan Island Commuter:
- Runs from Bellingham to Friday Harbor (mid-May to early September).
- Passenger-only service.
Cost Considerations
- Fares can vary based on vehicle size, season, and day of the week.
- Inter-island ferry travel has different pricing, with westbound trips costing $17 to $21 for a vehicle and driver.
- If parking at the Anacortes terminal between May 1 and mid-October, overnight parking costs $10, with weekly rates available.
For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it’s recommended to check the Washington State Ferries website or contact them directly before your trip. Remember that reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak travel seasons, to avoid long wait times.
Mayor and Fire Levy

The current mayor of Friday Harbor is Ray Jackson. We were pleased to meet the mayor at a roof top bar and discussed the fire levy signs prevalent during our September 2024 visit.
On April 7, 2022, a major fire occurred in Friday Harbor, causing significant damage to historic buildings:
– The fire destroyed three historic buildings and damaged three others in the center of town, just above the ferry dock.
– The affected buildings housed over 125 years of Friday Harbor history.
– The fire was determined to be arson, and a suspect was arrested within 10 days.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of Friday Harbor’s historic structures and the potential need for enhanced fire protection.
The mayor believed the fire levy would pass and that his city wasn’t particularly fire prone. We also discussed the finding that life expectancy at Friday Harbor bettered all other places in Washington State.

Longevity of Residents
The search results do not provide any information supporting the claim that residents of Friday Harbor live longer than anywhere else in Washington State. This appears to be an unsubstantiated statement or may require further research to verify. However the mayor pointed out that Friday Harbor is environmentally pristine and this could explain life expectancy.
Water and the Quality of Life
Clean water is essential to all living systems. The rich diversity of life around Friday Harbor is entirely dependent on the water that is available for use in this region.
The continuous movement of water from the surface of the earth into the atmosphere and back again is called the water cycle.
Rain falling on the San Juan Islands soaks into underground aquifers, or flows as runoff into ditches, streams, lakes or wetlands, and into the marine waters of Puget Sound.
Evaporation from surface waters and transpiration from plants returns water to the atmosphere, where it once again accumulates as clouds and eventually falls to earth.
A weak convergence zone can occur between approximately Victoria, British Columbia, and Bellingham, Washington, over the San Juan Islands, as a result of southwesterly air blowing from the Strait of Juan de Fuca meeting northerly air moving southward down the Strait of Georgia.[1]. The mayor mentioned that this may keep air pollution away from residents of Friday Harbor and have something to do with life expectancy.
The Whale Museum
Located in the heart of Friday Harbor, The Whale Museum is housed in an 1892 Odd Fellows Hall. This museum has been promoting stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research since 1979. Visitors can:
- View a young orca skeleton
- Watch videos of orcas in their natural habitat
- Learn about the “Adopt an Orca” program
- Explore the Gallery of Whales

San Juan Historical Museum
Situated on the grounds of the former 445-acre James King farm, the San Juan Historical Museum offers a glimpse into the island’s past. The museum complex includes:
- The 1894 farmhouse
- Carriage house
- Root cellar
- Milk house
- Original San Juan County Jail
- A barn and log cabin
A new Museum of Industry exhibit showcases the island’s logging, farming, and fishing history.
Historic Buildings and Walking Tour
Friday Harbor’s downtown area features several historic buildings that have been repurposed for modern use:
- The Bird Rock Hotel, built in 1891 as the Tourist Hotel, is one of the oldest lodging places on the island.
- Vinnie’s Ristorante, now an Italian restaurant, was originally built in 1916 as an Overland & Studebaker showroom and garage.
- The Spa at Earthbox on Spring Street was built in 1895 and was once the home of Captain Cash of the Mosquito Fleet passenger steamer.
Visitors can pick up a “Historic Friday Harbor on Foot Guide” at the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce to explore these and other historic sites. There is also a driving tour.

Portals of Welcome
At Fairweather Park on the waterfront, visitors can see the “Portals of Welcome” Cedar House Posts. This public art installation by Coast Salish artist Susan Point honors the thousands of years of Native American presence in the Salish Sea.

Native artist Susan Point’s red cedar house post sculpture honors the enduring presence of the Coast Salish people in this area. Originally used inside a longhouse to support roof beams, traditional house posts tell the stories of the family that raised them. Interaction speaks of the San Juan Islands: we care for the environment and the responsible interaction between people and wildlife.
On one post, the alternating paws and hands of the woman and mountain lion represent the recognition and tolerance that humans and animals must have for each other. The round copper dome reflects their shared environment.
The connecting beam features Xels, a mythical winged being. Eagles and a silver dome, representing the full moon, are on the reverse side. The top and bottom of the beam are carved with stars and a new moon.

The second post symbolizes the marine ecosystem. A killer whale depicts the top of the food chain. Beneath, two salmon balance on a disc representing the sun. The sun is life and the salmon egg within denotes new life. Herring are carved on the outer ring of the sun. The whale’s tail at the base forms a seat with a shark’s head motif. The artist’s intention is that when one is seated there, one completes the life cycle.

Susan is from the Musqueam band of Coast Salish whose lands include the mouth of the Fraser River in Canada. She wishes to thank the local Salish tribes for allowing her work to be placed on their traditional lands.
Roche Harbor
While not in Friday Harbor proper, Roche Harbor, located on the north end of San Juan Island, is a historic resort village worth visiting. It features:
- 19th-century lime kilns
- The Hotel de Haro, the state’s oldest continually operating hotel
- Beautiful gardens and sculptures
By exploring these sites, visitors can gain a rich understanding of Friday Harbor’s diverse history, from its Native American heritage to its maritime past and early European settlement.




The Round the County sailboat race has an overnight stop at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. Here are the key details:
- The race is a two-day event that circumnavigates the San Juan Islands, covering approximately 76 miles in total.
- There is a mid-way overnight stop in Roche Harbor on San Juan Island on Saturday night.
- The Friday Harbor Sailing Club co-hosts the event with the Orcas Island Yacht Club.
- The race typically begins near Lydia Shoal in Rosario Strait on Saturday and finishes at Lydia Shoal on Sunday.
- The first day’s leg finishes in Mosquito Bay, near Roche Harbor.
- The second day’s leg starts just outside of Roche Harbor by Battleship Island.
The Round the County sailboat race has its overnight stop at Roche Harbor and is sponsored by the Friday Harbor Yacht Club.
Here’s a poem about life in Friday Harbor:
Friday Harbor’s Embrace
Nestled on an island’s shore, Where ferries dock and seagulls soar, Friday Harbor, a quaint delight, Charming by day, peaceful by night.
Boats bob gently in the bay, As orcas pass on summer days, Shops and galleries line the street, Where locals and tourists often meet.
Lavender fields and alpaca farms, Add to the island’s rustic charms, While lighthouses stand proud and tall, Guarding shores from spring to fall.
History whispers through the air, Of Salish tribes who still live there, Now blended with a modern flair, A community beyond compare.
From Roche Harbor to Cattle Point, This isle’s beauty does not disappoint, With every sunset, every dawn, Friday Harbor’s magic lives on.
In this haven by the sea, Where nature thrives so wild and free, Life moves at its own gentle pace, In Friday Harbor’s warm embrace.