Major city · United States
Orcas VillageOrcas Landing
Stay 1 night, or treat it as a ferry landing: the village is two blocks on a steep hill, and Eastsound is where the island's beds and food are.
Orcas Village (also Orcas Landing) sits on the south tip of Orcas Island around the island's only Washington State Ferries dock, so almost every visitor passes through it. The village itself is two blocks on a hillside: a store, a historic hotel, a café and a park over Harney Channel. Most travellers sleep in Eastsound, 15 minutes north, and use the landing for the ferry, a meal and a walk while waiting.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep; Jul–Aug is busiest and needs ferry reservations
- avoid Nov–Feb (quiet, wet, reduced sailings)
- Airports
- SEA · BFI
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Orcas Village911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Washington State Ferries information206-464-6400
- Orcas Hotel (front desk, local help)360-320-6415
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Orcas Village, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for visitors; the real risks are ferry timing, steep wet roads and winter wind on the water.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 206-464-6400 Washington State Ferries information · 360-320-6415 Orcas Hotel (front desk, local help)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSEA Seattle-Tacoma International (Drive to Anacortes about 1 h 30 min, then ferry; shuttle services run from SEA to Anacortes (check operators).).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable but steep: the ferry loading lane is at the top, the store, hotel and waterfront are downhill.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or espresso$3–6
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or picnic supplies at the village store$8–15
- BeerLocal beer or cider$7–10
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$230
- High-end bedInn or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SEA Seattle-Tacoma International (Drive to Anacortes about 1 h 30 min, then ferry; shuttle services run from SEA to Anacortes (check operators).) · BFI Boeing Field / King County International (Kenmore Air Express land planes to Friday Harbor, then interisland ferry or a flight onward (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Dec (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Orcas Village: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable but steep: the ferry loading lane is at the top, the store, hotel and waterfront are downhill. For the rest of the island you need a car, bike or the county shuttle; rental cars at the landing are limited and mostly peak-season only. Walk-on ferry passengers do not need a vehicle to reach the village.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive or shuttle north on Orcas Rd, about 15 min
The island's restaurants, galleries and main services; go for dinner rather than a day.
Moran State Park and Mount Constitution
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive east and north from Eastsound, about 30–40 min from the landing
Half to full day: trails, lakes and the summit road; check the park's seasonal road and gate status.
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Interisland ferry from Orcas Island Terminal
Sailings are limited and the schedule is complicated; possible as a long day, easier as an overnight.
Lopez Island
overnightDoor to door: 2 h+
Interisland ferry to Lopez, then about 6 km (3.7 mi) to Lopez VillageInterisland ferry to Lopez, then about 3.7 mi (6 km) to Lopez Village
Bike-friendly and flat, but the connections eat the day; sleep over.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Orcas Village / ferry landing
One historic hotel and a few rentals within walking distance of the dock; best if you arrive late or leave early.
Eastsound
The island's population centre, about 15 min north by car: most inns, restaurants and shops. See the Eastsound guide.
Deer Harbor and the west side
Quieter marinas and resorts, 20–30 min by car; needs your own vehicle.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$230 | US$230 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Washington State Ferries, Anacortes to Orcas, per person round trip2 × US$30 · check; vehicle and driver extra | US$60 |
| Vehicle and driver, Anacortes to Orcas round trip1 × US$120 · check; size-based, reservations recommended | US$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$72 |
| Trip total≈ US$396 per person per day, bed included | US$792 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; ferry fares and rental cars are extra. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or espresso | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or picnic supplies at the village store | $8–15 |
| Café or hotel main dish | $18–32 |
| Local beer or cider | $7–10 |
| Car rental at the landing, peak seasoncheck; May–Oct only, limited vehicles | from about $60/day |
| Seaplane Seattle–San Juan Islandscheck; weather-dependent | $75–139 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry reservations are recommended for vehicles, and summer weekend waits can run to several sailings; missing the last boat means finding a bed on the island.
- Walk-on passengers should be at the dock at least 30 min before sailing; vehicles 60 min, or 90 min at peak times.
- The Sidney (BC)–Anacortes route is suspended and is not expected back before 2030; do not plan a Canada crossing by ferry.
- Cell and data coverage is patchy on parts of the island; download ferry schedules and tickets before you sail.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Washington State Ferries information
- 206-464-6400
- Orcas Hotel (front desk, local help)
- 360-320-6415
Pocket card
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Orcas VillageOrcas Landing
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Washington State Ferries206-464-6400
- Orcas Hotel front desk360-320-6415
Embassy
No embassies on the island; consulates are in Seattle. US visitors: your own country's consulate is the practical contact.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Anacortes → Orcas, walk-on: about $15 one way per person (check); vehicles pay more
- Anacortes Terminal → Orcas Island Terminal: about 1 h 10 min sailing (check)
- Orcas Village → Eastsound by car: about 15 min, 13 km (8.1 mi)about 15 min, 8.1 mi (13 km)
Say or show
- Where is the ferry terminal? — Where is the ferry terminal?
- Is this the line for the ferry? — Is this the line for the ferry?
- How long is the wait? — How long is the wait?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Thank you — Thank you
Ferry times and last sailings change by season: confirm the day's schedule before you leave the car.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Orcas Village. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep; Jul–Aug is busiest and needs ferry reservations · avoid Nov–Feb (quiet, wet, reduced sailings) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-day contract for Orcas Island Terminal: reservation windows, walk-on vs vehicle cutoffs, last-sailing fallback bed.
- Walking cluster map of the two-block village: store, hotel, café, park, marina.
- Place pages with verified hours for Orcas Village Store and the hotel café, plus last-orders notes.
- Anacortes-side arrival fixture: parking, shuttle and bus connections to Seattle and SEA.