Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Island on the Puget Sound, about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. The area is sheltered for severe weather, so it only gets about half as much rain per year as Seattle. Anacortes is known for being an island getaway that is connected to culture and nature. Many visitors enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking, and fishing.
Anacortes is the dock for the Washington State Ferries serving the San Juan Islands and Vancouver, BC. The island has several operators that offer dolphin and whale-watching tours. Others try kayaking or fishing.
Washington Park is on the west side of Anacortes at Sunset Beach. The park attracts boaters during the day and campers for overnight. Washington Park is also known for the stunning views of the San Juan Islands.
Historic seaside Anacortes is a fantastic shopping district, full of antique shops, book stores, boutiques, and florists. First Fridays of each month celebrate the “Art Walk” where local galleries are featured. Anacortes also has many dining options with some incredible seafood. Lastly, choose between many fantastic coffee shops.
November to January is the wet season. Temperatures are mild but cool. The island gets some snowfall. Winter is good for whale-watching.
Spring weather is mild, with daily highs in the mid-60s. Anacortes does a solid job of balancing their events throughout the year. Spring events include the Anacortes Spring Wine Festival and the Anacortes Arts Festival. Early spring can be a good time for whale-watching. Another great reason to visit in spring is for the short drive over to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival to see the tulips blooming in mid-April.
Summer is a busy season for recreation and camping. Summer is the dry season and temperatures are very steady. Daily lows are in the mid-50s and highs are in the mid-70s.
Falls are also mild with daily high temperatures around 60. Fall can be a fun time to visit for boozies as the city has a few events for drinkers. Brewgrass is a combination of food/drink and bluegrass music (held in November). Another popular fall event is Bier on the Pier, which is a celebration of beer with some live music thrown in.