Ready for the San Juan Islands state of mind? Nestled just off the Washington State mainland, this emerald archipelago is your ticket to both serenity and adventure! Our all-inclusive 6-day bike tour offers the essence of island life, blending cycling, hiking, kayaking, and whale watching for an unbeatable active getaway! Think quiet country roads with views of the Olympic mountain range, endless stretches of serene lakes and beaches, and full-course dinners in America’s most charming harbor towns. Plus, we’ll stay in boutique accommodations, with access to an indoor pool on most nights. And don’t worry about a thing—from pickup to drop off in Seattle, we’ve got it covered, including a float plane ride back for the ultimate finale! Let’s meet in Seattle and pedal our way to paradise.
Get ready for a thrilling 6-day adventure exploring the emerald San Juan Islands! Pedal through four captivating islands, hike scenic trails, kayak along picturesque shores, and marvel at majestic whales. Indulge in full-course dinners, stay in boutique accommodations with access to an indoor pool, and enjoy breathtaking views. With included bikes, helmets, and a support vehicle, plus experienced guides, deluxe inns, and most meals provided, it's an unforgettable active getaway! From Seattle pickup to drop-off, including a float plane ride back, we’ve got you covered.
Meet us in Seattle for a complimentary van shuttle north to Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island. Ride along the shores of Padilla Bay. Contemplate nature’s horizons against the skyline of industry as flocks of birds from the wildlife refuge circle a neighboring oil refinery. Our first ferry of the day takes us to Lopez Island. We’ll then ride to Spencer Spit State Park, Fisherman Bay and Lopez Village, the heart of Lopez. Spend two nights in pampered luxury at the historic Edenwild Boutique Inn. Their fresh, gourmet breakfasts and convenient location make it a top choice for an island getaway!
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Edenwild Boutique Inn
Distance: 29 miles (47 km)
Elevation: +1,316 ft / -1,145 ft (+401 m / -349 m)
On Day 2, we’ll explore Lopez Island with no ferries to catch! Lopez is the least hilly, most rural, and least populated of the three main San Juan Islands. It’s also considered a cyclist’s island for its quiet roads, gentle terrain, spectacular marine vistas, and friendly residents who wave as you ride past them. Ride counterclockwise around the island. Listen to the sound of the waves gently stirring the rocks on the shore at Agate Beach before continuing on to Watmough Bay (watch for seals!). This is a great day for views of the Olympic Mountains and looking ahead to some of the places you will explore this week.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Edenwild Boutique Inn
Distance: 38 miles (61 km) — can be shortened or prolonged
Elevation: +2,171 ft / -2,174 ft (+662 m / -663 m)
Take a short Washington State Ferry cruise to Orcas Island, the largest and most mountainous of the San Juans. Shuttle (or pedal) to Cascade Lake at Moran State Park. Hike through the last remaining old-growth forest in the islands up to the summit of Mt. Constitution, the literal high-point of the San Juans! Prefer to ride? Challenge the switchbacks on the road instead of hiking the trail. Either way, your reward at the top is a marvelous view of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges with the emerald archipelago flung out wide below. Instead of taking the ferry to San Juan Island in the afternoon, you will hop on a 3-hour whale and wildlife watching cruise (included). After the excursion, the boat will drop you off in Friday Harbor where the Earthbox Inn will be your home for the next three nights. Enjoy dinner on your own in Friday Harbor.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Earthbox Inn
Distance: if hiking: 4.3 miles (7 km) / if riding: 11.1 miles (18 km)
Elevation: if hiking: +2,300 ft (+701 m) / if riding: +2,000 ft (+610 m)
Today, we’ll kayak the calm waters of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Our sister company, San Juan Kayak Expeditions, will provide two-person kayaks, guides and instruction. Spend today watching and learning about the abundant bird and marine life along the rocky, tree-lined shore of San Juan Island. Stop at charming and diminutive Turn Island for a picnic lunch and the opportunity for a nice 1-mile walk around the circumference of the island. After kayaking, stroll about Friday Harbor, go for a pedal, visit the Whale Museum or the Art Gallery before we gather for a fabulous dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the islands!
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Earthbox Inn
Today, we’ll bicycle the serene shores of San Juan Island, enjoying open farmland and marine vistas from quiet country roads. Visit historic Roche Harbor and stop by American Camp – a national historic park that was once part of the Pig War between England and the United States. Have lunch at Lime Kiln State Park, one of the best orca (‘killer’) whale watching spots in the country. Tour the heavenly-scented fields at Pelindaba Lavender Farm and stop by the Cattle Point lighthouse on your way back to town. Savor views of the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mt. Rainier! We’ll have dinner tonight at the acclaimed Coho Restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Earthbox Inn
Distance: 43 miles (69 km) — can be shortened or prolonged
Elevation: +2,999 ft (+914 m) / -3,001 ft (-915 m)
After breakfast in Friday Harbor, we’ll pedal a causal loop around Pear Point, just outside of town. In the afternoon, bypass the infamous Seattle gridlock – on a Friday afternoon, no less! – and return to the city in style via a chartered float plane. Marvel at birds-eye views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and Olympics as you soar over and past the traffic. Have a waterfront lunch on your own on the shores of Lake Union in downtown Seattle before meeting the van to take to your flight or your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Elevation: +339 ft (+103 m) / -368 ft (-112 m)
As someone who is fairly inexperienced in cycling, I was very nervous about heading out on my tour with Bicycle Adventures. But from the very beginning, I realized I had nothing to worry about! The guides were SO SO knowledgeable, helpful, and fun to hang out with. They reassured me that I wouldn’t be left behind and really went out of their way to make me feel safe as I stepped (or cycled) outside of my comfort zone. I had such an amazing time on my tour and I can’t wait to get back out there on another tour with this company! Maybe next time I will try one of their international tours?! I cannot recommend Bicycle Adventures enough!!!
This is the third time I have traveled with BA and it is ALWAYS more than I expected. Great guides, wonderful adventures and excellent support.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This San Juan Islands cycling and multisport tour is open for all outdoorsy people who love cycling, hiking, and outdoor activities in general. This San Juan Islands bike tour focuses mostly on cycling, with distances ranging from approximately 20 to 40 miles, mostly on paved roads. On Day 3 you can choose between cycling and hiking. Day 4 is reserved, along with potential other morning and evening activities, only for kayaking (no prior experience necessary), while Day 6 features only a short 6-mile ride followed by a float plane ride. You don’t need to be a cycling pro, but prior experience is necessary. If you think that this tour is too much of a challenge for you, consider incorporating cycling to your weekly routine in the months prior to the adventure. We recommend cycling at least every weekend, covering between 10 and 20 miles (20-30 km) and increasing the distances and the intensity every week.
Keep in mind that you will always have a guide by your side to monitor your technique, adjust the pace and make frequent breaks. There will also be a support vehicle following you most of the time and even provide you with a boost over a climb, during a headwind, or when you’re fatigued.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Bikes are included in the price of the tour, but you can bring your own if you prefer. Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season and for different weather conditions. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
The accommodations for the San Juan Islands bike tour include the Edenwild Inn for the first two nights and the Earthbox Inn & Spa for the remaining nights. The Edenwild offers cozy rooms with amenities such as soaking tubs and fireplaces, while the Earthbox Inn & Spa boasts a retro chic style and features an indoor pool. Both locations provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere to unwind after a day of cycling.
As for meals, guests can expect a full-course dinner every night, with the exception of dinner on Day 3 and lunch on Day 6. Dietary needs such as vegan, vegetarian, Kosher, and food allergies can be accommodated upon request. Breakfasts are nutritious and served either at the inn or at a local restaurant known for its excellent breakfast options. Lunches are provided at scenic settings during the day’s ride, offering a variety of options to keep energy levels up. Throughout the day, guests have access to water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks from the van.
Accommodation on this adventure is based on double occupancy. If you wish to have a room to yourself, single rooms are available for an added fee of $1,065 per person, which you can arrange during the booking process. Guests can also sign up as open to share and will then be grouped with a same-sex roommate.
Group sizes and pricing
San Juan Islands bike tour and multisport tour can be arranged for larger and for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has cyclists under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Seattle, most people fly into Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. From there, you can take public transportation to the city. We suggest arriving in Seattle one day earlier to give yourself an opportunity to get some rest before the adventure.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best time and place to meet on Day 1. It’s either at a airport hotel in Seattle or a downtown Seattle hotel, some time in the morning. Participants will be emailed a guest information packet with their confirmation which will include information on the pick up and drop times and locations.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the road, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A $600 deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid sixty-five (65) calendar days prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
My second trip with Bicycle Adventures was just as amazing as the first one. The guides are very experienced and knowledgeable. The meals are excellent, whether prepared on trail side or at a chosen restaurant. The guides are always nearby in case anything is needed. They are very solicitors and eager to make sure everyone has a good time and a safe experience. I would highly recommend this company to anyone!