Go for a coastal walk and enjoy the sea views from Cattle Point Lighthouse or spot seals playing in the water or lazing on the rocks. The serene beaches, prairies and forest of the American Camp National Historical Park surround the lighthouse, so bring your hiking shoes.
Many centuries ago, Cape San Juan was a separate landmass from San Juan Island. Over the years, however, the tide and continental drift combined to narrow the gap. Since the 1960s families in search of a laid-back place to live have settled here. Cape amenities include a marina, a heated pool for residents and beaches.
Comprising 129 acres of forested and prairie land along the coast, the area is much more than just a key residential part of the San Juan Islands.
Come the Cape to take a closer look at nature. Enjoy the sea views from Cattle Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is part of the San Juan Islands National Monument, which protects antiquities. Take pictures of the surrounding mountains in the distance or climb down to the water’s edge to spot seals in the bay. Just be careful when scrambling over the rocky coastline, it can be slippery. The so-called harbour (or “common”) seals are playful animals, so you can see them roll around in the waves and warm up and sleep on the rocks.
Cape San Juan sits in the southeastern corner of San Juan Island. Griffin Bay, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the American Camp surround it.
To get there, take the ferry from Anacortes on mainland U.S. to Friday Harbour and drive through the National Historic Park. At the end you can’t miss the large wooden ‘Cape San Juan’ sign. Boats can make use of the guest facilities of the marina in Fish Creek, off Griffin Bay.
