Peaceful Yoga Retreats in the San Juan Islands, Washington with Joanna Dunn Yoga
I clearly have a thing about islands. I was looking at my retreat schedule and realized that in the next year, I have three retreats on islands!
I have always loved islands. Growing up in Western Washington, which has one of the largest ferry systems in the world and the largest in the United States, I have many fond memories of taking ferries. Since I've never actually lived on an island myself, my only memories of island visits are from going on vacation.
Sunrise view southward from Doe Bay on Orcas Island, Washington State.
Ferries provide a bit of a logistical challenge at times - making reservations or waiting in lines, having to plan your travel around arriving at the terminal in time - they are well worth it. I think it's because the ferry ride itself helps us to slow down and pause. We can go above deck and find a spot to enjoy the view. If the weather is good, we can go outside and feel the wind and weather on our faces as we watch the far shore fade from view - and the near shore grow closer.
The journey to the retreat often helps us to feel even more of a separation, a letting go of our everyday lives - stepping onto a different land, literally and figuratively.
Where Are The San Juan Islands?
The San Juan Islands are a peaceful cluster of islands off the coast of Washington State in the Pacific Northwest, nestled between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. Known for whale watching, kayaking, and quiet charm, the San Juan Islands are also a beautiful place to join a yoga and meditation retreat and reconnect with yourself.
Many visitors travel by ferry from Anacortes or take a small plane from Lake Union or Lake Washington in Seattle to Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) or Deer Harbor (Orcas Island). Here you’ll find breathtaking ocean views, charming walkable towns, and abundant wildlife like orcas and bald eagles, the perfect backdrop for deep rest, mindful movement, and nourishing community.
Orcas Island, WA - A Magical Place
Since I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the San Juan Islands held a special magic. I had the good fortune to spend time on Lopez and once traveled by sailboat around the islands with my family. But the island that I have the deepest connection to is Orcas, where I have led yoga retreats since 2017.
One of the things that makes the San Juans so unique is the microclimates within the island. You can go for a walk on one part of the island and it is quite dry, while in another place, you are surrounded by deep green mosses and moisture. On Orcas in particular, there are wonderful natural areas to explore - hiking on Turtleback, a large mountain that has been protected from development by the community - or heading to Moran State Park where on a clear day you can see for miles from the tower on top of Mount Constitution or you can walk the loop around Mountain Lake. This is in addition to the beaches where you can explore tide pools, kayak or even swim if the day is warm enough - or any day if you're into cold plunges!
Orcas Island also has a rich agricultural commitment with small farms providing organic produce, meats and dairy products. And the island, of course, has attracted a community of artists for decades so you can find beautiful handmade crafts, paintings, and prints. One of my dear friends who is a long-time resident of Orcas is Jerry Weatherman runs Olga Pottery. Each year I visit, I purchase one beautiful pottery piece to take home as a memento of my time on and connection to Orcas.
Staying on Orcas Island
My annual Nourish and Nurture retreats on Orcas Island brings together mindful movement, therapeutic massage by Kelli Riddle, and nourishing meals prepared by chef Sam Switzer. The retreats take place in one of the more striking places of great beauty on the island - Doe Bay Resort.
Sam, Joanna and Kelli
The resort has been around for decades and, appropriate to the energy of Orcas, is a bit quirky with a variety of cabins from "deluxe" to rustic, tent camping, yurts and RV/Van sites. Doe Bay Resort is located on the easternmost side of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State - one of the farthest points from the ferry and thus, has an end-of-the-road vibe. Right on its namesake, Doe Bay, the property looks south into the Salish Sea. In addition to its location right on the water, the resort offers a spa area with three hot tubs and a dry sauna - all overlooking the bay.
A small creek provides an opportunity to cold plunge - or head down to the bay itself as several of my participants have done and plunge into the sea before warming up in the tubs or sauna! I feel so fortunate to have a connection and access to this place of great beauty. My visits there, whether personal or while leading a retreat, offer an opportunity to slow down, to do less, to pause and simply be.
Even as I write about it, I can feel a response in my nervous system. In my mind's eye, I take myself to the water's edge, at the end of Doe Bay Road, and I take a deep breath, appreciating the expanse of water, the light of the sunrise just before morning meditation, I imagine the cool breeze on my face and my heart rate slow and my body relaxes.
What Is The Best Way To Get To Orcas Island?
There are several travel options for getting to San Juan Islands and Orcas Island in particular. The most common way to reach Orcas Island is by ferry from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. For more travel information the San Juan Island Bureau offers helpful information when planning for the Nourish and Nurture Retreat. Be sure to book your ferry reservations ahead of time — spots fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
Pack cozy, layered clothes that you can move and relax in. Weather can shift from sun to mist in a moment, so bring:
a warm jacket
raincoat
comfortable walking shoes
journal
reusable water bottle
and your favorite small comforts are always good companions. If you plan to wander East Sound before or after the retreat, a daypack and reusable mug will come in handy.
The San Juan Weather and What To Pack For a Retreat
San Juan Island’s weather is famously unpredictable but generally mild. Spring and fall bring cool mornings, fresh breezes, and a mix of sunshine and light rain , ideal for layering. Summers are warmer and sunny but evenings can still be cool. Winter is misty and quiet, with the possibility of a good storm that makes staying inside all the more cozy with fireside chats or curled up with a good book. No matter the season, the San Juan island weather invites you to lean in and slow down the perfect match for a Nourish and Nurture retreat.
You can explore my retreats below and feel free to email me with any questions you may have
Doe Bay Resort’s reception, general store and cafe at the end of Doe Bay Road.
Joanna Dunn is a yoga teacher and retreat guide based in Washington State, dedicated to helping students of all ages and abilities reconnect with themselves through mindful movement, meditation, and community.
Her nurturing approach welcomes everyone, whether you’re joining her for a local yoga class in Leavenworth, WA for online yoga and meditation practice, or a peaceful yoga retreat in the Pacific Northwest or beyond.