In the magical land of the San Juan’s there is a horse shoe, Orcas.

Come for a visit or come to join the community. Either way, your life will not be unchanged.

For some the Islands call and for others they enchant, sail our waters, visit the land itself.

Life on Orcas isn’t just about life on one Island, but life in the islands.

The Island: Isolation vs. Interconnectedness of Mankind

No man is an island…No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind…

John Donne affirms that no one man can exist on his own, cut off from all the rest of society; there are no human islands. As such, we need to remember that the islands themselves are interconnected and the community stretches further then our individual shores.

reprinted from the 2007 Guide to the San Juans

Orcas Island

“Square Miles: 56.9

Population: approximately 4,900

Unique Features: Panoramic view atop easily accessible 2,409-foot Mount Constitution. Hamlets beside sheltered harbors and coves.

Visitor Center: At the Chamber of Commerce in Eastsound Village.

Art, activities and agriculture flourish on Orcas Island, the largest and most geographically diverse of the San Juans. It is home to a mix of nestled hamlets and villages, lush forests, farm valleys, placid lakes and stunning mountains.

For well over a hundred years, artists and artisans have been creating in the golden light of its meadows and shorelines.

Deer Harbor, Eastsound Village, Olga, and Orcas Village are all popular stops with an array of art galleries, potteries, island arts and crafts, shops and restaurants.Learn of Coast Salish history at the Historical Museum. Take in the performing arts at Orcas Center. Tour the historic Moran Mansion, an island treasure at Rosario Resort & Spa on pristine Cascade Bay.

The panoramic view of islands, water and mountains from atop 2,409-foot Mount Constitution is a must-see. It’s possible to drive within 100 steps of the top, then walk to the viewing area or climb to the top of the observation tower.

Moran State Park also offers camping, lakes and tranquil trails leading to waterfalls in lush cedar forests.

Whether it’s at a secluded vacation cabin in the woods, a working farm, an elegant Bed & Breakfast or historic resort, Orcas Island fulfills dreams every day.”