Situated in the northern reaches of Washington State’s Salish Sea, the San Juan Islands are a uniquely beautiful archipelago of more than 450 islands, rocks, and pinnacles. Within this area, the San Juan Islands National Monument encompasses nearly 1,000 acres on 75 rocks and islands. Woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands are intermixed with rocky balds, bluffs, intertidal areas, and sandy beaches. This wide array of habitats supports an equally varied collection of wildlife. Blacktail deer, river otter, mink, and a diversity of birdlife—including golden and bald eagles, the marbled murrelet, and the recently reintroduced western bluebird—thrive in this mild climate. Orcas, seals, and porpoises also attract a regular stream of wildlife watchers. With two historic lighthouses and a 12,000-year heritage of Coast Salish communities, the historical landscape is equally evocative.

On March 25, 2013, a Presidential proclamation designated the area a national monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of the National Landscape Conservation System.

The best way to see the islands is by recreational watercraft, although some of the islands are accessible by ferry. Inquire before planning your trip.