The walk to Turn Point Lighthouse is a gem. Stuart Island is only accessible by boat (The road is impassable because there is no road). We chartered a sailboat in Anacortes and stopped here. There are water taxi services available in the San Juan Islands, but I imagine that it is very expensive. The closest accessible put-in is Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, which is 5 miles away. San Juan Island is accessible by Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. Check the ferry website especially if you are travelling in the summer. If you are considering a sea kayak, you will definitely want to be knowledgeable about tides and currents, which can be very strong in the San Juan Islands.
The hike begins at the dock in Reid Harbor. The trail is wide and flat. There are no obstacles. It was an easy walk for the child who came with us. You pass the Stuart Island school. There were T-shirts for sale on the honor system near the school. You take the T-shirt with you now, and send the payment via the US Mail later.
The navigation light is automated now. The light is not seen in the picture because it is on the opposite side of the lighthouse. The light keeper's house, built in 1893, has historical photos. There was a volunteer from the Turn Point Lighthouse Preservation Society who told us about the history of the light and provided a tour of the keeper's house. The views from Turn Point are outstanding. You can see the Canadian Gulf Islands. Orcas can sometimes be seen in the waters below Turn Point. Bald eagles are commonly seen in the San Juans, including on Stuart Island.
If you are boating in the San Juans, don't miss the opportunity to take in this delightful trail.
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