San Juan Islands in Washington named among Top 10 best islands in US by travel magazine

Some of the most revered islands in the United States are home to national parks, picturesque coastlines, and orca feeding grounds, according to a new report.

Travel + Leisure magazine surveyed its readers and ranked 15 locations to find the “Best Island in the Continental U.S.” While the East Coast ran up the score with 11 out of 15 selections, a group of islands in Washington state broke through as the only selection from the West Coast.

“While U.S. travelers tend to head to the Caribbean when they want an island getaway, the truth is you don’t need to leave the country to find charming seaside towns and white-sand beaches,” according to the July 8 report. “Thanks to America’s vast and varied geography, you can find everything from palm tree-laden island shores to rocky outcroppings sited in orca feeding grounds here.”

Here’s more on Travel + Leisure’s best islands in the U.S. and the islands in Washington that made the magazine’s list:

Which Washington island was named the best in the US?

The San Juan Islands off the northern coast of Washington ranked fifth in Travel + Leisure’s report with a reader score of 84.36.

The most populous islands in this archipelago are San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island, according to the San Juan Islands Visitor Bureau. Ferries can get visitors to these islands, as well as Shaw Island.

“Lopez Island offers rolling pastoral views and easy access to bikeable roads from quaint B&Bs and bayside hotels,” according to the bureau. “Orcas Island is full of outdoor adventure with Moran State Park near in-town hotels, secluded forest cabins, and stunning water-view resorts like Rosario Resort, West Beach Resort, and more. San Juan Island is home to bustling Friday Harbor, quaint Snug Harbor, and charming Roche Harbor, as well as a variety of B&Bs, inns, and hotels.”

San Juan County has 176 named islands and reefs and is the smallest of Washington’s counties with a land area of 174 square miles, according to the county’s website. It has a population of about 17,800 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

It’s home to San Juan Island Historic National Park, and in 2013, former President Barack Obama signed a proclamation establishing the San Juan Islands National Monument.