Anacortes WA (Fidalgo Island, Washington)

Anacortes WA is a Pacific Northwest USA cruise port, cargo port (locode USOTS) and city on Fidalgo Island (Skagit County, Washington USA) with population around 16,000. The town's name consolidates the name "Anna Curtis" - the wife of Amos Bowman (early Fidalgo Island settlers). Anacortes is also one of two principal cities included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metro Area.

Anacortes is often visited via its Ferry Terminal that serves regular Washington State Ferries crossings interlinking with San Juan Islands (Lopez Island, Orcas Island, Shaw Island, San Juan Island) as well as with Victoria BC Canada (via Sidney BC) on Vancouver Island. A Skagit County-operated ferryboat serves Guemes Island (a residential island north of Anacortes, across Guemes Channel).

Anacortes is surrounded by the North San Juan and Puget Sound Islands on three sides, as well as by Swinomish Channel and the Skagit Valley's flats to the east. The weather is milder than other Pacific Northwest regions, as it lies within the Olympic Mountain rain shadow. 

Anacortes WA is a popular destination for yachtsmen, leisure boaters and travelers to the San Juan Archipelago. It maintains a 0,89 km2 (220-acres) city park (on Fidalgo Island's northwestern end) named "Washington Park". The park features a marina/boat launching facility, camping sites, scenic views of San Juan Archipelago. The most beautiful view is of Cypress Island. As a result of the proximity to the Juan de Fuca Strait, the region also provides whale-watching opportunities. The waters off Fidalgo and Anacortes offer varieties of marine life, including 3 resident Orca pods.