From Washington To You
Historic shoreline buildings of the University of Washington marine station at Friday Harbor.
Photograph by T. C. Frye, 1915, from Nature and Science on the Pacific Coast. Freshwater and Marine Image Bank, University of Washington. Public domain.

From Washington to you

Friday Harbor Laboratories

Friday Harbor · San Juan County · station started 1903

UW’s marine station on San Juan Island has run since 1903, on a 490-acre biological preserve in some of the richest cold water on the coast.

The University of Washington lists Friday Harbor Laboratories as its marine field station, started in 1903, in the College of the Environment. UW says the station sits at the water’s edge on San Juan Island and draws researchers from around the world to work from genomes to ecosystems. Long-running strengths include comparative biomechanics, developmental biology, neurophysiology, genomics, and marine ecology.

FHL’s own about page describes 490 acres of land, plus marine waters, held as biological preserves. The lab also manages preserves at False Bay and Argyle Lagoon on San Juan Island and at Point George and Cedar Rock on Shaw Island. A tidal range of about three meters exposes rock, sand, and mud. Collecting can reach depths of 300 meters. The waters are relatively free from pollution, with swift tideways and quiet bays.

The street address is 620 University Road, Friday Harbor. This pin is the town of Friday Harbor. The sources below are University of Washington pages.

  • Wildlife & Ecology
  • Science / Strange Washington

Sources (3)

Last reviewed: September 21, 2026

Keep wandering

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    San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

    FWS set these rocks, reefs, and islands aside in 1960 for migratory birds. Almost all of them are closed, with a 200-yard buffer for boats.

  • same arc

    Southern Resident killer whales

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Friday Harbor Laboratories · From Washington To You