San Juan Islands in March

Summer means peak everything — crowds, prices, and ferry waits that can stretch two hours on sunny weekends. But it also means the best weather and longest days, with sunset pushing past 9 PM in July. September hits the sweet spot: warm days, fewer people, and the start of storm-watching season. Orca whales stick around through October, when the water stays warm enough for their salmon runs. Winter brings solitude and dramatic weather, but half the restaurants close and ferry schedules get sparse. Spring can be gorgeous or soggy — sometimes both in the same afternoon. If you're coming for whale watching, June through September gives you the best odds.