Roche Harbor

Roche Harbor is a small town on the northwest coast of San Juan Island, namesake of the picturesque San Juan Islands group.

Understand
A bustling yacht harbor and floatplane service to Seattle. It makes a good base for exploring San Juan Island.

Get in

 * Take the ferry or a plane to Friday Harbor, at the other end of the island, and then a 15-minute taxi ride to Roche Harbor.
 * If you have access to a yacht, come in the marina.
 * If you have an airplane, Roche Harbor has a small, private paved airstrip.
 * If you have access to a yacht, come in the marina.
 * If you have an airplane, Roche Harbor has a small, private paved airstrip.

Roche Harbor is an official U.S. ports-of-entry and can process boaters through customs. The Cardinal Rule is touch land at customs dock before any other stops, fines for not doing so can be up to $5000. Besides a passport for everyone on board, you will need your boat's license number and User Fee Decal number.

Customs enforces USDA guidelines for what foods are acceptable to bring into the country and these guidelines are constantly changing so it is best to check in with them before arriving. Boaters are responsible for knowing the prohibited foods and can be fined for not declaring them.

Get around
Roche Harbor is small enough that you can walk everywhere. The whole town is oriented around the harbor, and the hotels and docks that surround it.

See

 * The marina is the heart of town. It is jammed with a variety of pleasure boats. The ambience is very pleasant, especially when the weather is fine. See the toilet service boat, M.V. Phecal Freak (motto: "we take crap from anyone" — really!)
 * The marina is the heart of town. It is jammed with a variety of pleasure boats. The ambience is very pleasant, especially when the weather is fine. See the toilet service boat, M.V. Phecal Freak (motto: "we take crap from anyone" — really!)

Go next
Bicycling is very pleasant on San Juan Island. There are various bike rental options, including one by the airport. (It also rents motor scooters and jeeps.)

One of the beaches on San Juan Island is a great place to watch orcas (whales).