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The San Juan Islands Aerial Tour
Leaving Friday Harbor


Thank you for your interest in our Aerial Tour! It's our pleasure to be able to share a breathtaking view of the islands with our guests and hope you leave with an appreciation of both the beauty and history of the islands.

To help you get the most out of the tour, we've put together an overview of the sites you'll see. During the tour, your pilot will point out these points of interest and can provide some brief info about each. A map is provided at the bottom for reference.

We hope you enjoy your tour!

Historic American Camp National Park On San Juan Island


American Camp is located near Cattle Point at the southern end of San Juan Island. This location served as the base for American troops deployed from Seattle during the time of the 'Pig War', an era which began with the shooting of an English farmer's pig in 1859 by an American farmer. During the mid 19th century, the U.S. and Great Britain jointly occupied the islands of San Juan County. It represents the last disputed territory between the two nations in North America. The "war" ended peacefully by arbitration in 1872, with the islands being granted to the Americans. American Camp is one of two National Parks on San Juan Island.

Lime Kiln State Park, San Juan Island


Lime Kiln State Park is one of the most popular destinations for land-side whale watching. The waters just off the park are ideal for Orca whales to feed during the summer months. It is located on the west side of San Juan Island about half way between the northern and southern tips of the island. Victoria and Sidney B.C. are just a few miles across the channel on Vancouver Island.

English Camp / Garrison Bay, San Juan Island


English Camp is on Garrison Bay, near the north end of San Juan Island on the west side. This is where the English troops, sent from Victoria, set up camp for 12 years during the joint occupation of the islands. The English had a camp with much nicer appointments than the Americans, as Victoria was able to readily supply the camp. The gardens and many of the original buildings remain today. There is even a cemetery on the grounds still maintained by the Canadians, as those buried there are English citizens. English camp is the second National Park on San Juan Island.

Roche Harbor, San Juan Island


The San Juan Islands played a major role in the industrial revolution in the U.S. The islands were a major producer of Calcium Oxide (Lime), a key compound used in steel production, paper production, plaster, and mining. Roche Harbor, owned by the McMillan Family, was one of the largest producers of lime west of the Mississippi river. The islands were almost completely de-forested during the 19th century as cordwood was heavily used to fire the kilns. Production significantly decreased during the early 20th century with the arrival of railroads, which made transportation of heavy loads over land cheaper than shipping loads over water. Roche Harbor was purchased in the 1950's by the Tarte family who turned it into a resort. The Historic Hotel de Haro (build in 1886) remains the centerpiece of the resort overlooking the Roche Harbor Marina.

Stuart Island and Turn Point Lighthouse


Turn Point Lighthouse represents the North-Western most corner of the Continental United States. The lighthouse has been in operation since 1893 and still lights the way today (although automated). Turn point is a popular destination for boaters who hike there from the State Park located in the middle of Stuart Island. All shipping traffic up the inside passage makes its way past this light house, as Boundary Pass is the major shipping channel to western Canadian ports.

East Sound, Orcas Island


Eastsound is the namesake of both a body of water and a town. The Sound occupies the are between the two ends of Orcas Island. The town sits at the north end of the island at the 'land bridge' between the two lobes. It is the largest town on Orcas Island and is a populate destination for both locals who need goods, and visitors seeking lodging, food, and entertainment.

Mount Constitution, Orcas Island


At over 2400 ft, Mount Constitution is the highest peak in the islands, and is located on the eastern side of the island. It is easily recognizable as it is an idea broadcasting location and hosts several large antennas marked by red lights, and a lookout tower.

Rosario, Orcas Island


In 1904, Robert Moran began to build the Rosario Mansion as a retirement home for himself and his family on the east side of Eastsound. Moran was a prominent ship builder in Seattle, and was the mayor of Seattle in 1889 when the great fire took most of the city. Moran also donated several thousand acres to the State of Washington for the creation of Moran State Park. The mansion changed hands a few times over the years and was converted into a resort / hotel in 1960. Both the resort and the mansion are two of the most popular destinations in the Islands today.

Fisherman's Bay, Lopez Island


Named for the fishermen who occupied this area for many years, it is one of the more popular destinations for tourists on Lopez Island. Lopez Island is particularly popular with Farmers and Bicyclists, as it's very flat for the most part. It is the third largest island in the archipelago.

Tour Map

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Bellingham, WA 98226
With offices in Anacortes, Eastsound, and Friday Harbor
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