San Juan Islands, Washington

Orcas, Lopez, San Juan are the islands visitors know best. But the San Juans actually consist of 750 islands, many of them uninhabited save by gulls, cormorants, and seals.

Today, 83 of the islands are set aside as San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge; many of them are off-limits to visitors, but you can hike and bird watch on Matia and Turn islands, both of which are Washington State Parks.

This is also a great place for kayaking; numerous outfitters (including Sea Quest Expeditions) lead trips.