Anacortes, a lovely Pacific Northwest coastal community, serves as the main port of entry to the San Juan Islands. Conveniently located on Fidalgo Island, it serves as the terminal for ferries to the San Juan Islands and other international destinations from Washington state. The city of Anacortes can be found in Skagit County, Washington. Just 75 miles north of Seattle, 95 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and 20 minutes off Interstate 5, sits the town of Anacortes. The wife of pioneer settler Amos Bowman on Fidalgo Island, Anna Curtis, gave birth to the name “Anacortes,” which is a contraction of her given name.
Anacortes is known for providing access to the San Juan Islands by way of ferry boat. From the ferry docks in Anacortes, passengers can travel to four of the San Juan Islands: Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw, in comfort and safety. From Anacortes, you can cross a bridge to Whidbey Island through Deception Pass.
Whale watching
During the peak season, Anacortes is home to two of the world’s largest whale-watching fleets, both of which depart from the city twice daily. Every half-day cruise is a fantastic introduction to the San Juan Islands and their natural splendor. Professional educators present a flowing narrative about the region’s topography, the histories of the islands, and the diverse wildlife of Puget Sound.
