Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington, US: April 2012 Orcas Island is one of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago that forms the maritime boundary between Washington and Canada. The San Juans are one of my all-time favourite places to visit and draw. The islands are impossibly beautiful, with tiny villages and dramatic, rugged landscapes. The best part is getting there on the ferry; the boat weaves through the archipelago, passing through fjords, fog banks, and the occasional pod of killer whales.