The one-hour seaplane flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands is scenic enough that Kenmore Air offers sightseeing-only flights over both areas. We enjoyed those wonderful views on a recent day trip to Friday Harbor via Kenmore Air. Being early in the season, the flights were lightly loaded and we had no trouble making a last-minute reservation. We’d planned to take these flights over a weekend trip last fall, but our flight was canceled due to weather and we ended up driving instead.

We had a fabulous time on the seaplanes, taking in Lake Union, Seattle, the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands. It also was fun to see from the air many places we frequented by boat over the past two decades. After a walk through Friday Harbor and a delicious and lazy lunch at the San Juan Island Brewery, we returned back to Seattle in time for dinner in La Palmera Mexican restaurant near the South Lake Union Kenmore Air station.

Below are highlights from April 23rd, 2023. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.

Mirall Position: 47°37.48’N, -122°20.36’W Jennifer standing inside one of the twin sculptures that make up Mirall (Catalan for mirror) by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. We passed it walking to the South Lake Union Kenmore Air station.

Kenmore Air Position: 47°37.72’N, -122°20.40’W At Kenmore Air for a day trip to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands.

Our Plane Position: 47°37.71’N, -122°20.37’W Our plane to Friday Harbor, a De Havilland (Bombardier) DHC-2 Turbo Beaver.

Light Loaded Position: 47°37.71’N, -122°20.36’W It’s early in the season, and not many people are making the flight to Friday Harbor today. Only four are on board, plus the pilot, leaving three seats empty.

Traffic Position: 47°38.60’N, -122°20.31’W Lots of boat traffic at the raised Fremont Bridge as our plane taxis to the north end of Lake Union for takeoff.

Gas Works Park Position: 47°38.61’N, -122°20.29’W Gas Works Park, on the north end of Lake Union. The park sits on the former site of the Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant.

West Lake Union Position: 47°38.60’N, -122°20.31’W West Lake Union shortly after takeoff.

East Lake Union Position: 47°38.04’N, -122°20.20’W East Lake Union, with I-5 beyond, viewed from our seaplane to Friday Harbor.

Seattle Center Position: 47°37.43’N, -122°21.01’W Flying over Seattle Center, with the brightly-colored Museum of Pop Culture to the lower left of the Space Needle. Our apartment complex is the tall gray building at upper center, beyond the shorter blue, green and white building.

Elliott Bay Marina Position: 47°38.60’N, -122°20.31’W Elliott Bay Marina, where we kept our first boat for a decade.

USNS Richard E. Byrd Position: 47°47.28’N, -122°27.72’W This looks like the USNS Richard E. Byrd dry cargo ship, but we couldn’t see a number or flag to confirm.

Edmonds Position: 47°47.77’N, -122°28.01’W A ferry departing the Edmonds dock for Kingston.

USGS Marrowstone Position: 48°5.98’N, -122°41.50’W The USGS Marrowstone Marine Field Station at Marrowstone Point near Port Townsend is the exclusive marine/seawater-based research facility for the Northwest Region. We’ve passed there by boat many times over the years.

Smith Island Position: 48°17.68’N, -122°50.75’W Smith Island at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with Minor Island in the background. The spit between them is covered at high tide. We’ve anchored a couple of times off the north side of the island. The spot is quite lumpy and exposed, but really beautiful and wild.

Shaw Island Position: 48°32.58’N, -122°58.16’W In the San Juan Islands off the sound end of Shaw Island, with Orcas Island and East Sound visible beyond.

Chelan Position: 48°32.93’N, -122°59.59’W The Washington State Ferry Chelan arriving into Friday Harbor with our flight.

Friday Harbor Landing Position: 48°32.58’N, -122°58.16’W Landing with a splash off Friday Harbor.

Docking Position: 48°32.28’N, -123°0.82’W In what looks like a crazy maneuver, the pilot shuts off the engine and leaps out of the plane to the dock, then pulls the craft over. The process usually goes smoothly, but this time the plane couldn’t be brought onto the dock due to a heavy cross wind and he had to try again, pictured.

We’re Here Position: 48°32.28’N, -123°0.82’W An hour after departing Seattle, we’re here in Friday Harbor.

Departing Position: 48°32.29’N, -123°0.83’W Our plane and pilot didn’t stay long in Friday Harbor, and took off shortly after dropping of the passengers.

Scoot Coupes Position: 48°32.00’N, -123°0.96’W Scoot Coupes for rent at Susie’s Mopeds in Friday Harbor. Powered by an Italian-made Piaggio 4 Valve 49cc engine, the vehicles have a maximum speed of 30 mph (108 kph) and are classified as mopeds in most states.

San Juan Island Brewery Position: 48°31.94’N, -123°0.89’W A delicious pizza for lunch with local brews at the San Juan Island Brewery in Friday Harbor.

Matthews Position: 48°32.22’N, -123°0.97’W As we were walking the dock for our flight home a US Customs agent called us out by name. That made us both a little nervous, but agent Matthews recognized us from our blog and just wanted to say hello and chat.

Our Plane Arriving Position: 48°32.29’N, -123°0.83’W Our return plane to Seattle arriving into Friday Harbor.

Cockpit Position: 48°32.28’N, -123°0.82’W We returned to Seattle on a De Havilland (Bombardier) DHC-3 Turbo Otter aircraft.

Seals Position: 48°28.21’N, -122°57.14’W Dozens of seals crowding a rocky islet off the south end of San Juan Island.

Chetzemoka Position: 48°2.39’N, -122°37.87’W The Washington State Ferry Chetzemoka, underway with tug assist just south of Port Townsend.

Portage Bay Position: 47°39.45’N, -122°19.39’W Looking south across Portage Bay, between Lake Union and Lake Washington. At upper left is the marina and clubhouse of the Seattle Yacht Club. We’ve enjoyed many dinners there and presented there ourselves several times. In the distance is Highway 520 that crosses Lake Washington, while houseboats fill the western shore.

Houseboats Position: 47°38.64’N, -122°19.77’W Beautiful modern houseboats along the east shore of Lake Union.

Lake Union Landing Position: 47°40.63’N, -122°19.53’W A splash as we return back to Lake Union in Seattle.

La Palmera Position: 47°37.47’N, -122°20.38’W We stopped in for dinner for the first time at La Palmera Mexican restaurant on our way home from Kenmore Air. Their house margarita is huge!

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.