Things to Do on the San Juan Islands in September

Why September Shines

Shoulder season means ferries and restaurants are easier, trails are quieter, and humpback season peaks (August–October). Many outfitters and museums run full schedules well into fall.
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Island-wide Highlights (selected dates)

First Friday Art Walk – Friday Harbor: Fri Sept 5, 4–7pm. Stroll galleries and shops downtown.
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Farmers Markets (Saturdays):

• San Juan Island (Brickworks, Friday Harbor): 9:30am–1:30pm through Oct.
• Orcas Island (Eastsound Village Green): 10am–2pm, through late Sept.
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• Lopez Island (Lopez Village): 10am–2pm, Saturdays through Sept 20.
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WaterWorks Gallery Showcase (Friday Harbor): Weekly Thu–Sat through Sept 27.
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Doe Bay Artist in Residence sets (Orcas): Select dates in Sept; open to the public.
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SJIMA “Shapeshifters” (Friday Harbor): Open Thu–Mon through Sept 15.
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What’s Open (shoulder season)

• Whale-watching & kayaking still going strong into October (multiple operators run tours daily). San Juan Island Whale Watching Tours
• Moran State Park (Orcas) & most county/state parks remain open year-round.
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Doe Bay Resort & Retreat is open year-round (often calmer in fall).
Doe Bay Resort & Retreat

September Weather Snapshot (Islands overall)

Typical highs in the mid-60s to near 70°F, lows upper-40s to low-50s; rain begins to tick up but stays moderate. (Friday Harbor & Orcas climatology.)
Weather Spark
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2025 Seasonal Outlook (Fall)

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center indicates ENSO-neutral for late summer with modest signals for early fall; state outlooks note limited precipitation predictability for Aug–Oct. Expect near-normal to slightly warmer temps, with variable first fall rains.
Climate Prediction Center
climate.uw.edu

Where to Stay

King Real Estate Group (Windermere SJI)—Greg King, Sybil Mager, and Katie Schmidt—also host island vacation rentals. See Vacation Rentals.

See our island-specific guides for [San Juan], [Orcas], and [Lopez] .

August on the San Juan Islands:

An Overview of Summer Magic

August is one of the most vibrant and enchanting months to experience the San Juan Islands. With long, sunny days and a full calendar of events, there's something for everyone—whether you're planning a weekend getaway, exploring the islands as a local, or considering making this magical place your permanent home.

Festivals & Events You Can’t Miss

• San Juan County Fair (Aug 14–17, Friday Harbor - San Juan Island)
• San Juan Island Summer Arts Festival (Aug 9–10, Brickworks - San Juan Island)
• Float Fest (Aug 30–31, Roche Harbor - San Juan Island)
• Orcas Island Fly-In & Road Classics Car Show (Aug 1-3)
• Lopez Island Artists' Studio Tour (Aug 30–31)
• Orcas Island Artists' Studio Tour (Aug 8-10)

Weekly Markets & Art Walks

• San Juan Island Farmers Market (Saturdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, Brickworks)
• Orcas Island Farmers Market (Saturdays, 10am-2pm, Eastsound Village Green)
• Lopez Island Farmers Market (Saturdays, 10am-2pm)
• Artist Village at Roche Harbor (Daily, 10am-4pm through Labor Day)

Outdoor Adventures

• Whale watching tours from all major islands
• Kayaking the coastlines
• Hiking Lime Kiln State Park, Moran State Park, and Lopez Hill
• Biking scenic island roads

No matter which island you choose, August is a time to slow down, soak up the natural beauty, and celebrate everything that makes island life unique.

Ready to Explore More?

• August on San Juan Island →
• August on Orcas Island →
• August on Lopez Island →

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To touch, to hold, to look, to smell, to taste: the sensory aspects of life are there to be nurtured and enjoyed. Engage the senses and explore the visceral elements around you. Douse your sensibilities with tactile elements: incorporate inspiring colors and textures into your home to make an altogether more spirited and rewarding affair.

Use color to make daily living more pleasurable and uplifting. Thinking about how color appears in nature gives clues to choosing the sort of colors you might want to have in your home. Neutrals are timeless and easy to live with, while white is unifying, restful, and a favorite with those who seek a simple approach to living.

During the nineteenth century the home was viewed as “heaven on earth”, a hallowed haven in an uncertain world. When man, woman, or child crossed the threshold, they were safe. Today, many of us cast a nostalgic glance backward. The Victorian era seems so calm, gentle, and gracious – so completely opposite from our own. This could be due to a legacy of love left to us by our great grandmothers who reigned over their hearths.

No matter what our decorating style – realized or aspired to – the essential spiritual grace our homes should possess is the solace of comfort. A home that embraces, nurtures, sustains, and inspires.

A welcome retreat: home as a haven in a hectic world. Nowhere is this more true than in the San Juan Islands…

Many approach walking as exercise, however there are still many who walk for their souls and their body tags along. It is a form of meditation, shifting from overdrive into soft time, quieting the chatter in the head, solving problems – taking long strides, concentrating on the slow, steady rhythm of breathing, comforted by interior silence. Looking and listening – letting go of expectations and life unfolds. Step by step.

Walking the beach is a bit different. You walk to find a treasure, to exercise the limbs, and soothe the soul. To marvel at the birds that play against the sky and clouds. To watch the waves. To simply smell the salt air, to feel the sun and wind against your face, and to run from the foam grasping for your feet. To think and reflect. And no matter how far apart your visits might measure, you are always free to renew an old acquaintance with yourself.

There are those who diligently comb the beach for agates, jasper, arrowheads, special rocks, driftwood, shells, and beach glass. They walk the beach with their heads down. They can’t help themselves. They are collectors.

Many beaches in the islands are highly promoted and/or visible. Some are not. Good examples of the latter are Deadman Bay on San Juan Island, Judd Cove on Orcas, and Watmough Bay on Lopez. Get a map. Check them out!

As you drive around the island, you may not think many islanders are into gardening. To the contrary, due to the abundance of wildlife, gardens here tend to be hidden from plain sight. Many take advantage of the topography, views, and trees or simply have an abundance of potted plants on the deck.

A visit to a garden can be a journey. The garden embraces you as you arrive and quickly transports you from the everyday world into a whole new dimension. Your senses are immersed in the experience – light changes, vistas open and close, and you become aware of sounds, colors, and textures all designed to engage and delight.

When designing a home garden, many feel it is essential to relate the house to its surroundings. People tend to spend much of their time indoors and keep this in mind when designing a garden, bringing the garden into the house with compelling views through the windows.

For some, the words art and gardening never mesh. To them, art is something found in a museum, a theater or a concert hall. Art outdoors might be a sculpture park, where the plantings are merely a background. For serious gardeners, art is an everyday experience. Their artistic vision sees beauty in the plants – they create a garden experience where scent, sight, color, sound, and texture combine to make a three-dimensional symphony that continually grows and changes.

Gardens should be spaces that invite gathering, entertaining, and relaxing. Gardens are for living.