Life on the island is an exchange. Schedules are less important. You give some and you get much, much more. It can make some restless, while others say this is the only place they have known contentment. There is actually an enterprise here called The Exchange. It is an amazing place where one person's unwanted item can become another's treasure. Ebb and flow. Give and take. Share and share alike. You can only know by trying.

The practical needs of life can be accomplished here. There are three banks: Islanders Bank, Key Bank, and Washington Federal Savings and Loan. All provide basic services, loans, cash machines and investment options.

Orcas has several grocery stores: Island Market, The Orcas Village Store at the Ferry landing (try their sandwiches, pizzas and gourmet picnic items to go), and a natural foods store in Eastsound called Orcas Homegrown. For gourmet cheeses, wines, espresso and fresh baked breads experience Rose's Bakery Café in Eastsound.  A local farmer’s market thrives on the Eastsound Village Green Saturday mornings May through September.

Arts, music, poetry, and theater can be attended at The Living Room,  Orcas Center and smaller venues in varied locations.  

The Healing Arts Center, located in Eastsound, is a cooperative of healing professionals offering services from massage to acupuncture. We also have many salons, such as Salon Mir Toi and the Spa at Rosario Resort, specializing in nails, make-up, cuts, color, and au courant beauty supplies.

Orcas is very fortunate to have a fine and uniquely varied bookstore with excellent espresso from Straight Shots Coffee Bar to sip while looking over the stormy sound. Darvill's Bookstore can make a long winter feel shorter.

And, fortunately, The Sunday New York Times and local papers are available in two locations—Darvill's and The Orcas Village Store. The daily New York Times is also available at the Orcas Island Library.

Island Resources

Your purchase of land or building/remodeling a home can be accomplished more easily with the right connections.  Here are some invaluable island resource contacts for the nuts and bolts of your real estate purchase and development. From permitting to design, Orcas Island offers experienced, bonded professionals for all aspects of your specific project. Please contact us for a list of services and providers.

For detailed permit information and regulations visit the San Juan County website  http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us

Down To Earth

What has developed on Orcas and throughout the San Juan Archipelago is a sense of place. By respecting what you love, and endeavoring to protect it, you can preserve it.

Following are links to non-profit organizations and groups that are active in environmental issues in the San Juan Islands.

San Juan County Land Bank

San Juan Preservation Trust

The Nature Conservancy — Yellow Island Preserve

Friends of the San Juans

OPAL Community Land Trust

San Juan County Marine Resources Committee

SeaDoc Society: A Marine Ecosystem Health Program

The Center for Whale Research