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San Juan Islands Bike Tour

San Juan Islands Bike Tour

More dates available:
Crater Lake & Oregon Cascades Bike Tour Tour See here

Island-to-Island in the Pacific Northwest

From $3,399 - $3,898 pp dbl. occ. | 6 days / 5 nights

(+$840 to $1,090 for sgl. occ.)

The ocean permeates every scene. Harbors dappled with sunlight, sailboats flitting across the deep blue water of the Salish Sea. Off the ferry and onto a new island. Biking the country roads, each day is an adventure. But you're never far from the water. What's around the next corner? Time to find out.

Highlights

Soak up postcard-perfect Northwest scenery as you ferry from island to island with the locals
Bike through majestic fir and cedar forests, explore driftwood beaches and savor the day's fresh catch
Keep your eyes peeled on our wildlife cruise—the chance to spot whales from the open water is a thrill!
Admire views of emerald islands, Mount Baker and Canada's coastal peaks from atop Mount Constitution

Washington

Start La Conner / End Anacortes or La Conner

Itinerary

Day 1 Kick off your journey in La Conner, a charming little town with beautiful boutiques and a relaxed country feel on the Swinomish Channel | Bike through the fertile Skagit Valley, noted for its tulip and daffodil cultivation, with Mount Baker crowning the route.

Day 2 Island-hop by ferry, and pedal through stunningly diverse scenery, from conifer forests to farmlands to seaports | After biking to Anacortes, set sail for hilly Orcas Island, a tapestry of rural landscapes | Stop by artisan shops, where one-of-a-kind pieces are displayed among Douglas fir and western red cedar.

Day 3 On foot or two wheels in Moran State Park, make your way up Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juans—it's worth the climb! | Once at the top, enjoy the breathtaking panorama of islands, snow-covered Mount Baker, the Cascades and the Olympic Peninsula.

Days 4-5 Join a wildlife cruise with a naturalist—you may spot an orca! | Spin past secluded bays and driftwood beaches | Swap pedals for paddles on an optional sea-kayaking excursion near Roche Harbor, and watch for otters and soaring eagles.

Day 6 Pedal along quiet roads on Lopez Island—a bicyclist's paradise | An easygoing route leads past farms and pastures, along the waterfront and through a forest—a great finale to the week.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Cancellation fees may vary based upon departure date. Please review the grid below:

Number of Days Prior to Trip Start	Cancellation Fees (per person)	Departure Dates
96+ days	$200	2018 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/10, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26, 9/2, 9/9, 9/11, 9/18, 9/23, 9/25 2019 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/15, 9/22
61-95 days	30%
31-60 days	60%
0-30 days	100%
156+ days	$600	2018 9/4, 9/13, 9/16
126-155 days	30%
96-125 days	50%
61-95 days	75%
31-60 days	100%
0-30 days	100%

For information on our trip transfers see here.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Available
to Book i
Going
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Private Trip
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C Classic Dates

2018 June

6/10–6/15

6/17–6/22

6/24–6/29

2018 July

7/1–7/6

7/8–7/13

7/10–7/15

7/15–7/20

7/22–7/27

7/29–8/3

2018 August

8/5–8/10

8/12–8/17

8/19–8/24

8/26–8/31

2018 September

9/2–9/7

9/4–9/9

9/9–9/14

9/11–9/16

9/13–9/18

9/16–9/21

9/18–9/23

9/23–9/28

9/25–9/30

2019 June

6/9–6/14

6/16–6/21

6/23–6/28

6/30–7/5

2019 July

7/7–7/12

7/14–7/19

7/21–7/26

7/28–8/2

2019 August

8/4–8/9

8/11–8/16

8/18–8/23

8/25–8/30

2019 September

9/1–9/6

9/15–9/20

9/22–9/27

View Private Dates

Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.

2018 Private Trip Pricing

10 or more guests: from $3,298 pp dbl occ
8 - 9 guests: from $3,798 pp dbl occ
6 - 7 guests: from $5,098 pp dbl occ
4 - 5 guests: from $5,598 pp dbl occ
2 - 3 guests: from $6,498 pp dbl occ

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date

8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Classic Tours

The sky’s the limit! Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Classic Tours

2018
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

2019
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep

View Scheduled Dates
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Go Custom

Prices

From $3,399 - $3,898 pp dbl. occ.
6 days / 5 nights

(+$840 to $1,090 for sgl. occ.)

Reviews

Read the Reviews
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Premiere Hotels*

Channel Lodge

La Conner (1 night)

Outlook Inn

Orcas Island (2 nights)

Friday Harbor House

San Juan Island (2 nights)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-4

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in San Juan Islands

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels*

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Channel Lodge

La Conner (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

A comfortable hotel with private balconies and beautiful vistas of the boats and birdlife residing in Swinomish Channel.

Outlook Inn

Orcas Island (2 nights)

It's a short walk to the private beach and the shops and galleries of downtown from this retreat at the water's edge.

Friday Harbor House

San Juan Island (2 nights)

Described by Andrew Harper as an "appealing contemporary island lodge affording exceptional views of the San Juan Channel."

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1	14	150	22	200
2	16*	800	21*	1000	26*	1400	36	2300
3	10	1000	22	2300	21*	3100	36	4000
	Mount Constitution Hike (4.5 Miles; 2,100' elevation gain)
	Cascade Lake Hike (3 Miles; minimal elevation gain)
4	11	1100	20	1700
4	San Juan Island Wildlife-Watching Cruise (4 Hours)
5			20*	1050	30	1900	40	2600
5	Sea Kayaking in Roche Harbor (3 Hours)
6	20	900	23	1000

Note: The San Juan Islands' landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys. The continuously rolling terrain can make the routes, which include sections of chip-sealed pavement, feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 4 dinners, 6 lunches

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price)

Wishing for a little extra assistance up those hills? Our custom Backroads Electric-Assist Bike lets you experience the thrill of exploring on two wheels while providing a boost when you want it. We've modified a selection of our great Titanium Bikes with the intuitive BionX "pedal-assist" system.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Specialized S-Works Roubaix & Ruby ($400 rental fee)

Ride like a pro with the new top-of-the-line S-Works bike featuring ultrasmooth Shimano Di2 electronic shifting. Faster and smoother than any other bike out there, this race-ready carbon machine delivers phenomenal acceleration and handling in an ultralight, ultrapowerful package—perfect for experienced riders. The Specialized S-Works Ruby is a light, agile speed machine precisely designed for women. You can upgrade to a Specialized S-Works Roubaix or Ruby on your trip.

Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Upgrade)

Specialized S-Works Ruby (Upgrade)

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in San Juan Islands

The Orcas Are Used to Spotting Us

We've biked in the San Juans since the earliest days of Backroads and know every inch of the great routes we've linked together with help from island-hopping ferries and an amazing network of local friends. We're constantly fine-tuning our itineraries, keeping what's great, revisiting what's changed and making sure you enjoy the best of the San Juans – whether it's an ideal picnic spot, an interesting regional artist or a feast of perfectly prepared fresh salmon.

The Best Leaders in San Juan Islands

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in San Juan Islands, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

More Leaders to Support You

On our San Juan Islands trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.

A Second Van When You Need It

Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in San Juan Islands—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.

Your Trip Will Run. Period.

Under our Book with Confidence policy, your Backroads trip will run even for one or two people (or a family of three or four), subject to a nominal extra fee. Or transfer to another trip, and we'll give you a credit. It's all part of our trademark commitment to treating guests with integrity, transparency and total accountability. Read all the details.

Great Bikes Included (or Upgrade)

Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn more about our bike fleet.

Navigate Your Way in San Juan Islands

Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in San Juan Islands. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our San Juan Islands trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

We've Set the Standard

For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by

Signature Backroads Picnics

Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.

Choose Your Fellow Travelers

With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. As you browse our unrivaled selection of trips and dates, you can count on finding a trip in San Juan Islands that's geared exclusively to your choice of traveling companions.

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip