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- Issue #15: San Juan Islands, WA: Ocean Air & Queer Calm
Issue #15: San Juan Islands, WA: Ocean Air & Queer Calm

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ISSUE:
Sea lions, eagles, and a possible whale sighting or two
A relaxed 3–4 day itinerary from Seattle to San Juan Island
LGBTQ+ friendly stays and low-key coastal adventures
Quick Campfire Questions with Laurier Tiernan (from Tokyo!)
A quick poll to tell me what you think
MAIN FEATURE:
San Juan Islands, WA: Ocean Air & Queer Calm
Let’s be honest. Most people have never heard of the San Juan Islands, you probably think they’re somewhere in the Caribbean.
In reality, this peaceful little archipelago sits off the coast of Washington State in the Pacific Northwest, just a few hours from Seattle.
Think rugged shorelines, sleepy towns, and wildlife that genuinely couldn’t care less who you love, which in my opinion makes it rather perfect.
So, it’s a three-hour drive north from Seattle to the ferry port at Anacortes, then a gentle glide to Friday Harbor. No passport checks, no jet lag, no one trying to sell you a quad bike.
No rainbow sticker required, yippee.

Secret Island Escapes With a Queer Vibe
It’s one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly pockets of the US, in the wider Washington State region that includes the famously queer Seattle.
You won’t find rainbow flags hanging from every shopfront, but you also won’t find stares, side-eyes, or awkward questions at check-in.
People are used to travellers, artists, and slightly eccentric folk who moved there to escape city life, including us queer ones.
Same-sex couples are welcome everywhere, and you’ll (hopefully) feel safe hiking, dining, or awkwardly getting in and out of your kayak (it’s harder than it looks).
Here, travel slows.
It’s quiet.
It’s the best kind of reset.
Plan the vibe, not just the logistics. Make space for introverts, extroverts, and quiet wanderers.
Who this is for (and who it’s not for)
Best for:
Queer couples or small groups wanting a slow-paced nature escape
Anyone craving ocean air, wildlife, and a lack of group tour vibes
Travellers who like a mix of outdoorsy and artsy with a comfy bed at the end
Those who love the idea of stargazing in hoodies
Probably not for you if:
You need a daily bottomless brunch
You hate ferries, fog, or the idea of being slightly damp (kinda unavoidable)
You're allergic to quiet.
3–4 Days of Coastal Bliss (tour bus free!)
Day 1 Seattle to Friday Harbor (via Anacortes Ferry)
· Drive or bus to Anacortes (2 hours), ferry to San Juan Island
· Settle into a LGBTQ+ welcoming B&B or eco-lodge
· Stroll the harbour, grab dinner at Downriggers overlooking the water
Day 2 Wildlife + Water Adventures
· Morning: Sea kayaking tour (often includes seal sightings, maybe even orcas)
· Afternoon: Whale watching boat trip or hike to Lime Kiln Point lighthouse, totally iconic for sunset views
· Evening: Wine tasting or grab firewood and stargaze at the beach
Day 3 Choose Your Pace
· Chill: Spa day, massage, or art gallery wander in Friday Harbor
· Active: Head to nearby Orcas Island for a half-day hike at Mount Constitution (you’ll get sweeping views over the whole archipelago)
Optional Day 4 Stay Wild or Head Home
· Extend with a morning wildflower walk or coast-hugging cycle route
· Return ferry in the afternoon and drive back to Seattle in time for dinner
Before or After: A Queer Scene in Reach
If you fancy a bit more sparkle before or after your island days, Seattle delivers. Spend a night or two in Capitol Hill, packed with queer-owned cafés, bars, and bookshops.
Try:
Unicorn for whimsical cocktails and themed nonsense
Wildrose – one of the oldest lesbian bars in the US
Elliott Bay Book Company – for a browse with heart and decent queer lit
Final Takeaway
If you’re craving space to breathe, chat nonsense with friends around a fire pit, or quietly fall back in love with someone over misty coastlines and shared flasks, the San Juan Islands might just be your kind of magic.
Fun Fact:
San Juan Island was once at the centre of the Pig War — a 19th-century standoff between the US and Britain that started when a British pig wandered into an American settler’s garden. No shots were fired... except at the pig 😅
Quick Campfire Questions
This week, we’re lighting up the campfire with Tiernan (They/Them/Any), author and musician who’s been exploring queer joy in unexpected corners of the world.
In this mini-feature, they answer 5 quick questions about travel, identity, and what keeps them coming back for more. Grab a cup of something warm, and join us by the fire.

Tiernan Laurier
Q1. Where in the world are you right now, Tiernan?
Tokyo
Q2. What’s your go-to travel vibe? (e.g., slow & scenic, thrill-seeking)
I tend to like places with Victorian architecture (like London, England) or somewhere I can swim with tropical fishes (like on Guam) the most, but I'm really up for most anything.
Q3. One place you’d go back to in a heartbeat, and why
London, England, because it's really the best city in the world in terms of breadth and depth of experiences available.
Q4. What’s your dream adventure, no budget, no limits?
Oh, gosh. Because I have my first poetry book coming out on August 15th, 2025, and I am also a musician - and I dig a “workation” - I would plan a world tour of book signings and concerts in my favourite cities like Montreal, London, Firenze, and other places I'd love to visit but haven't been yet!
Q5. What’s one myth about LGBTQ+ travel you’d love to bust?
Maybe that Tokyo isn't LGBTQ-friendly because they are the last G7 country to not have legalized gay marriage. Tokyo is the safest city I have travelled in.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Nope! Thank you for having me!
Preorder Tiernan's first book of poetry - Fifty-Five Ways to Survive - from your favourite online retailer. https://durvile.com/books/Fiftyfive.html
What’s Inspiring Us This Week:
What I’m bookmarking:
🌈 OutVentures – a Seattle-based LGBTQ+ outdoor group with retreats in the San Juans
What I’m inspired by this week:
This article 15 emerging LGBT+ travel hotspots, from Osaka to Medellin
What I read on my vacation:
The first pan-European study focusing on LGBTQ+ start-up founders, and what makes us, simply fabulous as a community - commissioned by Identity.VC
That’s a Wrap! Here’s how we help:
We plan LGBTQ+ adventure travel for you and yours, saving the headache
Whether you’re hiking near home or planning a big escape, we got tips!
Got a favourite place you want us to feature next? Email me I’m listening
POLL: Did you enjoy this post? |
Until next time, Go beyond the usual