Orcas Boat Rentals & Charters offers self-drive boat rentals and private charters out of Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, giving visitors the freedom to explore the San Juan Islands on their own terms. The business can help put together a custom itinerary for a single or multi-day reservation, or renters can simply set out on their own once they’ve passed a safety check-in.

The fleet includes four boats suited to fishing, crabbing, or sightseeing: the 20-foot Big Hewe Hewescraft, the flagship of the fleet with a 115 HP Yamaha engine and 6-person capacity; the 18-foot Hewe Jr. Hewescraft, powered by a 75 HP Honda engine and comfortably fitting 4-5 people; the 19-foot Harborcraft, with a 90 HP Yamaha engine and 4-person capacity; and the 18-foot Duckworth Harborcraft, the newest addition to the fleet, with a 90 HP Yamaha engine and 4-5 person capacity. All boats feature durable aluminum hulls built for smooth handling in all kinds of weather.

Rental rates run by the half day (4 hours) or full day (8 hours): the Harborcraft starts at $350 for a half day or $450 for a full day, the Hewe Jr. runs $425/$525, the Duckworth runs $450/$550, and the Big Hewe runs $475/$575. Rental extras include Nikon binoculars, a fishing pole, or a crab pot, each $10 per day, available first come, first served. Boating experience is required to rent solo; renters without experience can hire one of the business’s captains for an additional fee.

Guests booking fishing gear are responsible for having a valid Washington State fishing license for each angler aboard and understanding current seasonal openings, per Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.

For visitors to the San Juan Islands looking to explore Deer Harbor and beyond at their own pace, Orcas Boat Rentals & Charters offers a well-equipped fleet of four boats with flexible half-day and full-day rates.