San Juan Islands

As of May 2026, Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Roche Harbor have 1,980 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in San Juan Islands generates $48K per year. High-performing properties earn $97K/year, while low-performing properties earn $22K/year. The massive earnings gap suggests that revenue is heavily concentrated among a specific tier of properties, indicating that market performance is driven less by general demand and more by unique asset positioning.

Average home prices in San Juan Islands vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $587K, 2-bedroom homes average $723K, 3-bedroom properties are around $825K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $1.0M. These prices reflect median home values across the Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Roche Harbor area.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in San Juan Islands, with an average gross yield of 6% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 12%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This yield spread highlights significant variance in operational efficiency, as the top-tier segment captures double the returns of the average listing.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in San Juan Islands is 35%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $344, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $93 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in San Juan Islands, with an average gross yield of 7% and annual revenue of $72K. These properties balance purchase price ($1.0M), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the San Juan Islands market.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the San Juan Islands area. Friday Harbor: Moderate. San Juan County permit required, safety inspections, good neighbor guidelines. Moderate enforcement with complaint-based system. Eastsound: Moderate. San Juan County permit required, same regulations as Friday Harbor. Moderate enforcement, complaint-driven. Roche Harbor: Moderate. San Juan County permit required, follows county-wide STR rules. Limited enforcement, mostly complaint-based in this resort area. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The San Juan Islands Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 9%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. Despite the contraction in supply, the sharper drop in revenue metrics points to an environment where consumer spending is tightening, neutralizing the potential benefits of reduced competition.

Launch around April, 2-3 months before peak summer season (July peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 30% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in San Juan Islands listings include: Kitchen (94%), Tv (77%), Washing Machine (73%), Heating (60%), Balcony (59%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Hot Tub, Ev Charger, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 49% more ($73K/year vs $49K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in San Juan Islands over the last 12 months: May: $3K, June: $4K, July: $5K, August: $5K, September: $3K, October: $3K, November: $2K, December: $2K, January: $1K, February: $1K, March: $2K, April: $3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in San Juan Islands is $344, up 13% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $242/night, 2-bedroom properties average $306/night, 3-bedroom properties average $392/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $582/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in February.

Guests in San Juan Islands book an average of 39 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 34 days, 2-bedroom: 39 days, 3-bedroom: 41 days, 4+ bedroom: 46 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the San Juan Islands Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 5%, revenue per listing decreased 9%, occupancy fell 1%, average nightly rates increased 13%, and lead time decreased 22%. These shifting metrics reveal a market moving toward shorter booking windows and higher pricing reliance to offset softening occupancy rates.

In San Juan Islands, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 47% higher occupancy than weekdays.