Orcas Washington Map

About Orcas, Washington

Orcas is a locality in San Juan County, Washington, United States. It is a small community with a population of 820. The population density is 38.0 people per km². Orcas is located at 48.5979°N, 122.9446°W. It observes the Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles) timezone. ZIP code: 98280.

Orcas rises from the deep blue embrace of Puget Sound, a verdant jewel where temperate rainforest meets the sea. It lies 6.9 miles east-northeast of San Juan, WA (from San Juan, WA: bearing 62°T), and is situated 2.5 miles south-southwest of Orcas Island. The island’s topography is sculpted by the ancient forces that shaped the Pacific Northwest, presenting a dramatic interplay of steep, forested slopes and sheltered coves that kiss the tide. Sunlight, when it pierces the evergreen canopy, often filters through a persistent mist, lending a soft, ethereal glow to the moss-draped branches and the damp, rich earth underfoot. The air itself carries the briny tang of the Sound, mingled with the resinous scent of Douglas fir and cedar, a constant reminder of the wild, untamed beauty that defines this coastal sanctuary. The history of Orcas is inextricably linked to its maritime setting and its designation within the San Juan County/Cypress Island Marine Biological Preserve. For generations, the waters surrounding Orcas have sustained a livelihood, with fishing and the careful stewardship of marine resources forming the backbone of its local economy. The rhythm of the tides dictates much of island life, from the comings and goings of the Washington State Ferries, the vital artery connecting Orcas to the mainland, to the seasonal migrations of the abundant wildlife that calls this protected waterscape home. Small harbors dot the coastline, their wooden piers weathered by salt and sun, a testament to a community that has learned to live in harmony with the powerful, ever-present Puget Sound.

About This Orcas Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Orcas, Washington — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 48.59788, -122.944626. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Orcas and San Juan County.

Detailed location data for Orcas includes the ZIP code (98280), telephone area code (206, 253), county seat of San Juan County (Friday Harbor), and school district assignment. These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Orcas is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.