Anacortes City
Washington island gateway and San Juan ferry terminal
Anacortes serves as the ferry town for the San Juan Islands, offering whale‑watching charters, marinas, seafood shacks and easy drives to Deception Pass State Park’s cliffs and tidal bridges.
Anacortes at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate to pricey - island gateway prices - $120-220/day for midrange lodging, seafood meals and activities.
Safety: Very safe and tourist-friendly - very safe and welcoming to visitors; low violent crime.
Best Time: May-September (peak season) - may-September: best weather for boating and island trips.
Why Visit Anacortes?#
This coastal town is a gateway to the San Juan Islands and draws visitors for whale watching, island-hopping and fresh Northwest seafood. Ferries and charters run to Orcas and Friday Harbor, making it a handy starting point for kayaking, hiking and birding. The town’s maritime museums and waterfront dining - notably Dungeness crab and oysters - complete the appeal for travelers who want outdoorsy island adventures with easy town comforts.
Best Things to Do in Anacortes#
Anacortes Bucket List#
Cap Sante Park - Hilltop park with panoramic harbor views, picnic areas, and viewpoints.
Washington Park - Beach access, tidal pools, walking trails, and picnic spots on Fidalgo Island.
Anacortes Farmers Market - Seasonal market featuring local produce, artisan foods, and crafts on weekends.
Rosario Beach - Sandy coves, driftwood-strewn shore, and quiet tidepool exploration opportunities nearby.
Cap Sante Marina viewpoints - Marina-side viewpoints ideal for boat-watching and quiet sunset photography sessions.
Local art galleries - Small downtown galleries showcasing regional painters, makers, and maritime-themed works.
San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor) - Ferry to whale-watching, kayaking, and island villages in San Juan archipelago.
Deception Pass State Park - Iconic bridge, rocky beaches, hiking trails, and dramatic tidal currents.
Best Time to Visit Anacortes#
Anacortes shines in the dry summer months (June-September) when ferries, whale-watching and island trails are most reliable. Winters are mild but wet, and spring is cool and dramatically green.
November - March
2-10°C / 36-50°F
Grey, rainy, and windy - ferries run with delays; cozy cafés and mossy evergreens make it atmospheric, but island hiking is often soggy.
April - May
6-15°C / 43-59°F
Sharp green growth, blooming rhododendrons, and improving weather - quieter than summer but still changeable, perfect for early-season kayaking and whale-watching glimpses.
June - September
13-22°C / 55-72°F
Warm, dry, and beautiful - boat trips, whale-watching, and island trails at their best; book ferries and rentals well in advance on weekends.
Anacortes's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (691 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 26 mm.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 98 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Anacortes#
How to Get Around Anacortes#
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Where to Stay in Anacortes#
Downtown / Ferry Terminal - $70-150/night
Anacortes has some budget motels and guesthouses; island-bound travelers often book early during summer and ferry season.
Majestic Inn & Spa - Comfortable, locally run inn
Anacortes budget motels (various) - Several small motels near town center
Marina / Downtown - $120-220/night
Good mid-range options sit near the marina and downtown; ideal for accessing boat tours and island ferries.
Majestic Inn & Spa - Popular mid-range choice downtown
Harbor-side inns - Comfortable stays near the marina
Downtown / Islands - $200+/night
Anacortes has a few higher-end inns; for resort-caliber stays, look to nearby islands and larger waterfront properties.
Majestic Inn & Spa - Top local property with spa services
Nearby Whidbey Island resorts (drive/ferry) - Upscale options a short trip away
Where to Eat in Anacortes#
Anacortes dining highlights local seafood, ferry-side cafés and approachable breweries serving regional Pacific Northwest ingredients.
- Local seafood restaurants - Fresh-caught Pacific Northwest seafood
- Near the ferry terminal - Quick bites for island ferry passengers
- Small breweries & pubs - Local ales and casual pub food
Downtown cafés, seasonal market stalls and casual dessert stops are staples for visitors and locals.
- Downtown cafés - Breakfast, pastries and light lunches
- Farmers’ Market vendors - Seasonal produce and prepared foods (seasonal)
- Local ice-cream shops - Family-friendly frozen treats
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Anacortes’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Anacortes#
Downtown Anacortes has an assortment of independent boutiques, galleries and marine-supply shops focused on boating and outdoor activities. Seasonal farmers’ markets and local craft shops are common in warmer months.
Nightlife in Anacortes#
Evening options are modest-seafood restaurants, a few pubs and seasonal live-music nights. For late-night clubbing you’ll need to travel to larger regional centres, but the town has pleasant casual evening spots.
