Obstruction Island in San Juan Islands

A good friend owns a beautiful waterfront cabin on remote Obstruction Island in the San Juan Islands, and we were invited to boat over and make ourselves at home for an extended weekend. The cabin, the island, and the experience gave definition to “relaxing getaway”.

Obstruction Island is the 15th largest island of the 175 San Juan Islands, located between larger Orcas Island and Blakely Island. 48 large waterfront lots encircle its perimeter, all enclosing a central 70 acre community park. A rough dirt road connects all the lots to each other and to the three community docks, plus provides underground passage for the electricity, phone, and community water supply.

The Washington State Ferries only visit four of the San Juan Islands, not including Obstruction, so arrival is either by private boat or chartered boat from Anacortes. There are enough people running between various non-ferry served islands and the mainland “back in America” that drop-off and pick-up rides can be scheduled in advance for most days. We rode with Paraclete Charters. Island Express Charters is the other local public option. The west community dock access has the easiest ascent up to the community ring road (the south and north docks have stairs up from them). Each dock also has from one to three community boat buoys available.

Be sure to bring everything you need. There are no stores or public facilities on an island like Obstruction. 35 residences range from big homes to camping shacks, and there are only a few full time residents. During our three days there, we only saw a few other friendly people while walking the trails. It’s quiet, and that’s good.

The interior ring road winds up and down and around through big trees and San Juan-style rocky outcrops. The community water storage tank is visible from the road, and the two trails through the interior community park are accessible from the road as well. It is entertaining just walking the trail and seeing the variety of vacation homes scattered around. It all sparks visions of wanting to do something similar (I actually almost purchased a lot on Obstruction Island around 2001, by chance).

Views are San Juan amazing. From our friend’s cabin, we watched beaming sunsets over verdant islands with ferries and boats shuttling in the foreground. The twisted madrone trees soak up the late day colors and radiate back. Waves lap below, while eagles make shrill calls from unseen perches above. And it all feels very right.