Shaw Island
Island Small San Juan Island with seasonal ferry access
One of the San Juan Islands, Shaw Island receives ferry traffic, day-trippers and campers who come for quiet county parks, shoreline walks, kayaking and an absence of big-tourist infrastructure.
Shaw Island is a small, rural island in the San Juan Islands of northwestern Washington State and is served by Washington State Ferries. It is one of the ferry-accessible San Juan Islands and maintains a small year-round community.
Coast Salish peoples inhabited the San Juan Islands prior to European contact. European-American settlement on Shaw Island developed around small-scale farming and maritime activities; the island has remained lightly developed compared with nearby larger islands.
Shaw Island lies within the San Juan archipelago between Orcas Island and the main San Juan Island, northwest of mainland Washington; regular ferry sailings connect it with Anacortes on the mainland.
- Ferry access: Served by Washington State Ferries from Anacortes, providing the primary public access for vehicles and foot passengers.
- Character: Sparsely populated year-round community with limited commercial services, popular with hikers, kayakers, and visitors seeking a quiet island experience.
What to See #
- Shaw Island County Park: Located on the island's west side, adjacent to shoreline meadows and forest, with basic trails and beach access suitable for day use and picnics.
- Potlatch State Park: A small Washington State Park offering shoreline campsites and day-use areas reachable on foot from the island's road network.
How to Get to Shaw Island #
Washington State Ferries operate limited service to Shaw Island from Anacortes (via inter-island routes); schedules are seasonal-check Washington State Ferries or San Juan County services. Alternative access is by private boat.
Tips for Visiting Shaw Island #
- Book ferry passage early-Shaw Island has limited parking and seasonal ferry capacity on the Washington State Ferries or Inter-Island services.
- Bring only essentials-services on the island are very limited; there's a small community store seasonally.
- Respect quiet hours and local rules-Shaw is known for being a low-key, residential island where residents value solitude.
Best Time to Visit Shaw Island #
Summer through early autumn for the most reliable ferry schedules and pleasant weather.
Weather & Climate near Shaw Island #
Shaw Island'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 2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (647 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 21 mm.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°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. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (104 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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