Lime Kiln State Park, Cattle Point Lighthouse — Monday, Aug. 29, 2022

Bottom Line:

The bioluminescence in the waters around San Juan Island is excellent right now, especially with the (near) new moon for a few more days; it can be viewed wading in from shore but best over water from a pack raft or kayak once it gets really dark; amazing paddling experience (each paddle stroke an explosion of light) south-east of Friday harbor heading south towards San Juan Island National Historic Park (i.e., towards 4th of July beach)

Miles of good hiking trails in Lime Kiln State Park and San Juan Island National Historic Park with great westward ocean views, stunning rolling grasslands, steep bluffs, long beaches (e.g., pebble and driftwood-lined South Beach), beautiful sandy coves (e.g., Grandma's, Eagle), madrona trees, wildlife and some modest vertical if that is what you are after. Did not see any whales from Lime Kiln, but this is a prime viewing spot. The water here is deep, and teaming with life. The bioluminescence is mainly on the sheltered east side; the water has sparks of light without even disturbing, but if you paddle or splash in the water, it explodes with tiny points of light. Definitely a one-of-a-kind experience, but you need to be prepared to be out late :)

A boat loaded with diesel sunk just off San Juan County Park (just north of Lime Kiln) so nearby beaches are closed for swimming and kayak access. More spill booms were being deployed from Rouche Harbor on Sunday. We saw the river otter in Lime Kiln, climbing the rocky bluffs to clean himself in the tall grass. We could not tell if he had oil in his coat, but he spent a lot of time rolling in the grass and was pretty dirty (see video). I did notice his eye was in rough shape... looked like an infection :(

The waters south in San Juan Island National Historic Park were open, and that turkey vulture was photographed at beautiful Eagle Cove. The southern grasslands are impressive (felt like a different island), with lots of flowers and apparently foxes (lots of signs asking visitors not to feed them, but I suspect I was not there the right time of day).

San Juan Island National Historic Park (American camp) has a visitor center, and a National Park parking pass is required. There is a small waterfront state park adjacent to Cattle Point lighthouse where a Discovery Pass will suffice. San Juan island has a (partly open air) tourist bus that accesses the parks if one decides to visit the island as a ferry walk-on.

There is a short video attached. Most of the footage is of the otter; I had no luck filming the bioluminescence on my paddle despite how bright it was :) 

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.nps.gov/sajh/index.htm