Discover the magic of night skies during your Orcas Island stays with our stargazing guide 

During your Orcas Island stays at The Landing at Orcas, you’ll have front-row access to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular celestial displays. Our island hotel offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the universe above—something increasingly rare in our light-polluted world.

Why The Landing at Orcas Offers Prime Stargazing Opportunities 

The San Juan Islands, particularly Orcas, benefit from significantly less light pollution than mainland areas. When choosing The Landing for your Orcas Island stays, you’re selecting a destination where dark skies remain a natural treasure. Our property’s location away from Eastsound’s modest light dome provides ideal conditions for amateur astronomers and casual stargazers alike.

Best Stargazing Spots Near The Landing at Orcas

These nearby locations offer exceptional stargazing opportunities during your Orcas Island stays: 

1, Obstruction Pass , State Park (15 minutes)

This secluded beach offers panoramic views of the southern sky. As Orcas Island activities go, few can match watching the Milky Way reflect on calm waters from these shores.

2, Turtleback Mountain South Trail (20 minutes)

For those incorporating hiking into their Orcas Island activities, this trail leads to spectacular elevated viewpoints with exceptional visibility for summer constellations.

3, Mount Constitution Clear Areas (30 minutes)

Several pullouts along the mountain road offer excellent stargazing with remarkable elevation advantages. Consider this one of the premium Orcas Island activities for astronomy enthusiasts.

4, North Shore Beaches (10 minutes)

These beaches provide excellent views of circumpolar constellations that never set. Their accessibility makes them perfect for quick evening stargazing during your stay at our island hotel. 

Seasonal Celestial Events During Your Orcas Island Stays 

Here’s what to watch for during each season at The Landing at Orcas: 

Winter (November-February) 

Winter provides the longest nights and often the clearest skies for Orcas Island stays focused on stargazing:

• Orion and Winter Hexagon: Dominating the southern sky 

• Geminid Meteor Shower: Mid-December’s reliable meteor display 

• Planet Visibility: Jupiter and Saturn prominently visible 

Bring a thermos of hot chocolate from your island hotel accommodations to stay warm. 

Spring (March-May) 

Spring offers comfortable temperatures for Orcas Island activities like stargazing: 

• Leo and the Spring Triangle: Prominent in the evening sky 

• Lyrid Meteor Shower: Late April’s meteor activity 

• Venus as Evening Star: Often at its brightest 

Summer (June-August) 

Summer nights are perfect for Orcas Island stays with stargazing:

• Milky Way Core: Best views of our galaxy’s bright center 

• Perseid Meteor Shower: August’s popular meteor event 

• Summer Triangle: Dominates the overhead sky 

Pack a blanket from your island hotel room to watch countless stars emerge as darkness falls.

Fall (September-October) 

Fall offers earlier nightfall while maintaining moderate temperatures: 

• Andromeda Galaxy: Easily visible during autumn nights 

• Pegasus and Autumn Constellations: Dominate evening skies 

• Orionid Meteor Shower: Mid-October meteors 

Stargazing Tips for Your Stay at The Landing 

To maximize your celestial experiences during Orcas Island stays: 

1. Check the moon phase – New moon periods offer the darkest skies 
2. Allow 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to darkness 
3. Use red flashlights to preserve night vision 
4. Download a stargazing app before leaving your island hotel room 
5. Pack layers even in summer, as temperatures drop after sunset 
6. Consider bringing binoculars for excellent views of star clusters 

Combining Stargazing with Other Orcas Island Activities 

Create memorable experiences by pairing stargazing with other Orcas Island activities: 

• Sunset picnics that transition into stargazing sessions 

• Night photography capturing the Milky Way over Orcas landscapes 

• Evening beach walks with casual constellation spotting 

• Late-night soaks while watching for shooting stars 

Preserving Our Dark Skies 

At The Landing at Orcas, we’re committed to preserving the natural darkness that makes Orcas Island stays special for stargazers. We encourage guests to minimize outdoor lighting, close curtains during evening hours, and support local dark sky preservation initiatives.