Travel»Deserted Island Day Trips

Deserted Island Day Trips

Want to play castaway for a day? From the Caribbean to California, these nine islands offer pristine beaches and abundant wildlife.

Photo: The Nature Conservancy, Writer: Jacquelyne Froeber

7 of 10

View all

Yellow Island

Part of the San Juan Islands, Yellow Island is known for its wildflower-covered landscape. More than 50 species—including the only cactus native to western Washington—can be found here. Check the trees for bald eagles, listen for songbirds, and watch playful otters swim.

Be sure to: Scan the shore for black oystercatcher birds prying open mollusks with their vibrant orange-red bills.

How to get there: Take a private boat from San Juan Island's Friday Harbor or Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island; you can also kayak from Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. For more info, call 206/343-4344 or visit nature.org.