Anacortes Travel Guide

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.

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.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

12:36 PM

GMT-7

Weather

61°F

Clear

Population

18,103

Infrastructure & Convenience

Excellent ferry and road access, waterfront walking areas, limited public transit.

Popularity

Popular gateway for San Juan Islands tourists, boaters and nature lovers.

Known For

San Juan ferry terminal, boating and marinas, whale watching, island-hopping, seafood, hiking trails, tulip route access, maritime festivals, craft breweries, scenic drives

Anacortes is the primary ferry gateway to the San Juan Islands and a longtime boating hub on Puget Sound.

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

All Attractions ›

San Juan Island National Historical Park

Park preserving Indigenous and 1859 Pig War sites

Park

San Juan Islands

Pacific Northwest archipelago famed for orcas and scenery

Islands

Orcas Island

Largest San Juan Island with rugged coastlines and parks

Island

Whidbey Island

Large Puget Sound island with scenic shorelines

Island

Camano Island

Puget Sound island with state parks and communities

Island

Lopez Island

Rural San Juan Island with ferry service

Island

Lummi Island

Wooded Puget Sound island with small communities

Island

Blakely Island, Washington

Forest-covered San Juan Island popular for boating and wildlife

Island

Anacortes Bucket List

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

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.

Winter

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.

Spring

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.

Summer

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.

Best Time to Visit Anacortes #

Climate

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).

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good

Best Time to Visit

AugustJulySeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

35°

Warmest Month

-12°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 7°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

88 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

2° – 9°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

64 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

10.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 11°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

58 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

51 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 17°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

46 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

15.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

40 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

15.8h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 26 mm.

82 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

26 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.

89 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

11° – 22°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

28 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

36 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

6° – 15°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

61 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.7h daylight

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.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

98 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

How to Get to Anacortes

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Anacortes #

Anacortes’s downtown is compact and highly walkable; most restaurants, galleries and shops sit along Commercial Avenue and are easy to reach on foot. The town is also the gateway to nearby islands: boat operators and private charters run trips from the harbor, and local buses serve nearby neighborhoods. Renting a car is useful for exploring surrounding state parks and viewpoints; expect parking fees downtown during summer.

Where to Stay in Anacortes #

Budget

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

Mid-Range

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

Luxury

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 #

Seafood & Harbor Fare

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

Casual Cafés & Bakeries

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.

American

Pizza

Mexican

Asian

Thai

Burger

Japanese

Sandwich

Curry

Ramen

Sushi

Indian

Chinese

Italian

Seafood

New Orleans

Steak House

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.

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.