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Washington

The San Juan Islands by Land and Sea: Hidden Anchorages

Program No. 21786RJ

Cruise the San Juan Archipelago aboard privately chartered vessels, visiting national parks, spotting orca whales and other wildlife, and enjoy guided scenic walks as we explore trails.

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Program

At a Glance

Duration

7 days

Program Begins

Seattle

Program Concludes

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Meals

16 ( 6B, 5L, 5D )

Activity Level

Orcas breach nearby, harbor seals caper in the straits and bald eagles soar overhead as you navigate the pristine waters and narrow passageways of Washington’s San Juan archipelago. During three daylong voyages, observe porpoises, whales and seabirds from the deck of the privately chartered vessel as you learn from the knowledgeable local captain and crew. Discover the islands’ unique ecology and geology on shore excursions with a local expert. You will dine on cracked crab as you make your way between islands and enjoy comfortable lodgings in the seaside port of Friday Harbor, the heart of the San Juan Islands.

Best of all, you'll...

Enjoy three days of private study cruises in the San Juan Archipelago aboard the Salish Express and Salish Sea vessels, highlighted by onshore explorations, historic sites and hidden corners of several islands.
Experience the history and beauty of San Juan Island with lodgings and museum visits in charming Friday Harbor.
Delight in an exploration of historic Roche Harbor, famed boater’s haven and resort, with a visit to its gardens and outdoor sculpture park.

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Featured Expert

All Experts

Cindy Hansen

Cindy Hansen, born in Gary, Indiana, received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Washington and previously worked as a whale watch naturalist, education curator for The Whale Museum, and an expert at a gray whale camp at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja. She is currently the education and advocacy coordinator for Orca Network, and volunteers for the research organizations Orca Behavior Institute and Wild Orca. She also volunteers for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with the local animal shelter.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Cindy Hansen

Kevin Loftus

Kevin Loftus is the executive director at the San Juan Historical Museum. Kevin spent his formative years in Chicago before heading to Northern Arizona University. After graduating, he answered a call to the corporate world in Dallas, Texas. A love of cycling led to learning about the San Juan Islands. Upon first visiting San Juan Island in 2000, Kevin realized the Islands were calling, becoming his home in 2005. Kevin became the executive director of the San Juan Historical Museum in 2008.

Lorraine McConaghy

Dr. Lorraine McConaghy is the public historian at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle and a lecturer in museum studies at the University of Washington. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching History and the Robert Gray Medal, the most distinguished award in Washington State for a historian. Her ongoing research interests are focused on the Civil War in Washington Territory.

Nancy Spaulding

Nancy Spaulding and her husband Lewis have lived on San Juan Island since 1978. The island and their garden have remained major influences in their artistic expression. Nancy approaches landscape from a broad and intimate perspective. She continues to create new works using pure pigment, soft pastel. She enjoys exploring new materials such as mixed media, often in combination with her pastels. Nancy recently showed her art at the National Botanic Garden in Washington as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of U.S. National Parks.

Kathleen Foley Lewis

Kathleen Foley is the Stewardship Manager of the San Juan Preservation Trust and has been a staff member since 2005. In this role, she oversees the management of 30+ different nature preserves, conducts annual monitoring visits, and coordinates restoration activities and youth education. She is a Washington native with a long history of exploring the San Juan Islands and enjoys a wide variety of outdoor pursuits. Kathleen lives with her son, Evan, and partner, Bill, near the lovely False Bay on San Juan Island.

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok

Kelley Balcomb-Bartok spent his early summers in the San Juan Islands immersed in Orca whale culture. As a researcher for the Center for Whale Research, he became intimately familiar with the Southern Resident Orca whale population as they traveled through the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Kelley's experiences with whales led him to a career in the media communication field, developing a greater appreciation and understanding of the beauty and diversity of the San Juan Islands and surrounding region along the way.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to 2.5 miles daily on varied terrain and standing for up to one hour. Walking up/down boat ramps and various docks, getting on/off vessel; climbing stairs. Elevators and lifts unavailable on vessel and mini-buses.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

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Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.