Eastsound, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Eastsound STRs on Orcas Island averaged $233/night at 53.6% occupancy in April 2026, with peak summer months reaching 79% occupancy.
Quick Answer: Eastsound, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $3,259. average daily rate is $233. the top operator is Vacasa with 327 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Eastsound sits at the commercial center of Orcas Island, part of Washington’s San Juan archipelago. The short-term rental market here is dominated by entire-place listings, which account for 5,066 of the 5,386 active units tracked (94%). Private rooms add 318 listings, with just 2 shared-room properties.
In April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $233 and occupancy of 53.6%, producing a RevPAR of $125. Average monthly revenue per listing came in at $3,259. Year-over-year, ADR grew 4.3% but occupancy dipped 1.9%, resulting in a net revenue decline of 2.2% versus April 2025.
By bedroom count, one-bedroom properties make up the largest segment at 2,160 listings, followed by two-bedroom (1,396) and three-bedroom (1,145) units. Larger properties are well-represented: 481 four-bedroom and 193 five-bedroom listings reflect the island’s appeal to groups seeking full-property rentals. Airbnb is the dominant channel with 2,535 listings; VRBO hosts 409; and 2,442 properties cross-list on both.
The market’s overall score of 70 out of 100 is anchored by strong rental demand (83) and revenue growth signals (81). The seasonality score of 51 is the weakest dimension, reflecting the pronounced summer concentration in this island market.
Annual averages for 2025 show occupancy of 55.5%, ADR of $250, and average monthly revenue of $3,908 per listing. Revenue grew steadily from $2,317/month in 2017 to a peak of $3,838 in 2021, retreated through 2023, then recovered in 2024 and 2025. The market serves an estimated 650,000 annual visitors to the San Juan Islands, with demand concentrated in the June through September window.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $177 | $1,851 |
| Feb | 47% | $182 | $2,000 |
| Mar | 50% | $188 | $2,477 |
| Apr | 56% | $204 | $2,992 |
| May | 58% | $215 | $3,092 |
| Jun | 68% | $247 | $4,266 |
| Jul | 79% | $256 | $5,321 |
| Aug | 79% | $255 | $5,363 |
| Sep | 63% | $228 | $3,781 |
| Oct | 50% | $194 | $2,718 |
| Nov | 45% | $192 | $2,271 |
| Dec | 45% | $193 | $2,323 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Eastsound
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 327 | 24,080 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Evolve | 144 | 9,100 | ★ 4.83 |
| 3 | San Juan Property Management | 91 | 8,680 | ★ 4.73 |
| 4 | AvantStay | 83 | 6,296 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Brigadoon Vacation Rentals | 58 | 3,491 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Eastsound?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,160 |
| 2 bed | 1,396 |
| 3 bed | 1,145 |
| 4 bed | 481 |
| 5 bed | 193 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $240 |
| Luxury | $412 |
| Professionally Managed | $265 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,475 |
| Entire Place | $3,362 |
| House | $3,532 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.1% |
| vrbo | 7.6% |
| both | 45.3% |
Investment Analysis
The typical home value in Eastsound is $904,000, which sets a high entry bar for STR investment. Using the April 2026 average monthly revenue of $3,259, annualized gross revenue projects to approximately $39,100 per year, representing a gross yield of roughly 4.3% on the typical home value. Investors targeting higher-performing property types see better numbers: entire-place listings averaged $3,362/month and house listings averaged $3,532/month, both above the all-listing average. Apartment listings averaged $2,475/month.
The luxury tier stands out significantly. The ADR for tier-luxury properties reached $412 in April 2026, compared to $233 for all listings and $265 for professionally managed properties. Operators in the professionally managed tier averaged $265/night, a $32/night premium above the market average, suggesting that active management adds rate pricing power in this market.
Year-over-year trends are mixed. ADR has grown 4.3% but occupancy is down 1.9%, and total revenue is down 2.2%. The 2025 annual average revenue of $3,908/month is near the 2024 figure of $3,760/month, indicating relative stability after the post-2021 retreat.
The permit cap of 211 on Orcas Island is a significant market structure factor. Once the cap is reached, no new permits are issued. This supply ceiling can support pricing power for permitted operators over time, though the approximately $2,300 permit cost and annual compliance requirements add operating overhead. The investability score of 65 reflects these regulatory constraints alongside the strong demand fundamentals.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
The average booking lead time in Eastsound is 44 days, meaning guests typically book just over six weeks before arrival. This is a moderate lead window that supports dynamic pricing in the 30 to 60 day pre-arrival period. Last-minute availability (under two weeks) likely exists in shoulder months but fills quickly in summer.
Average length of stay is 3.4 nights, indicating the market attracts primarily weekend and long-weekend trips rather than week-long or multi-week stays. Island travel logistics (ferry reservations, small plane access) may act as a natural floor on stay length, as visitors who go to the effort of reaching Orcas Island tend to stay at least two to three nights.
For operators, a 3.4-night average means approximately 7 turnovers per month at peak summer occupancy. This has meaningful implications for cleaning costs and pricing strategy. Setting a minimum of 3 to 4 nights during July and August can reduce turnover while maintaining occupancy, particularly given the 44-day lead time that provides enough booking runway to fill inventory.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) are permitted on Orcas Island but tightly regulated under San Juan County jurisdiction. A vacation rental permit is required. As of 2022, San Juan County capped Orcas Island at 211 permits. When the cap is reached, no new permits are issued; new permits become available only through attrition, awarded by lottery.
A significant regulatory change took effect in September 2025. Under Ordinance 10-2025, properties in the Eastsound Village Commercial land use designation now require a provisional use permit to operate a short-term rental. Previously these properties were exempt from permitting. Pre-existing rentals that operated before June 25, 2025 must apply to the Department of Community Development by June 25, 2026 to continue operating. These grandfathered rentals receive a permit outside the 211-unit island cap but are not exempt from the permit requirement itself.
Permit costs run approximately $2,300 for a conditional use permit or $1,000 for a provisional use permit. All permit holders must file an annual Certificate of Compliance each year (October through December 31), with a filing fee of approximately $145 to $160. Every advertisement must display the permit and compliance number. Operating or advertising without a permit carries a $2,300 penalty. Enforcement is rated strict.
The occupancy tax rate is 4.0%. Short-term rentals are prohibited in Natural Shoreline, Conservancy Shoreline, Agricultural Resource, and Forest Resource zones, and are not permitted on Shaw or Waldron Islands. Owner-occupancy and primary-residence requirements do not apply.
Market Comparison
Compared to national STR benchmarks, Eastsound’s April 2026 occupancy of 53.6% is roughly in line with the US median of approximately 55%. The ADR of $233 exceeds the national median of approximately $220, consistent with a premium island destination carrying significant access barriers.
The 2025 annual average ADR of $250 reflects a market that has held pricing power well. Revenue per listing at $3,908/month (2025 annual average) is above what most non-resort inland markets produce, though the typical home value of $904,000 compresses yield to approximately 4.3% gross on the all-listing revenue average.
The operator landscape is fragmented but professionally managed. Vacasa leads with 327 listings and a 4.52 average rating across 24,080 reviews, making it the dominant property management presence on the island. Evolve holds 144 listings with the highest rating of the top five at 4.83 across 9,100 reviews. San Juan Property Management, the only local-focused operator in the top five, manages 91 listings with a 4.73 average rating. Together the top three operators account for 562 listings, roughly 10% of total market inventory, indicating that independent operators still control the majority of supply.
The market’s total score of 70 places it above average for Pacific Northwest island destinations, with particularly strong rental demand (83) and revenue growth (81) sub-scores.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastsound, Washington
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What is the average nightly rate for Airbnbs on Orcas Island?
Can I get a short-term rental permit in Eastsound?
When is peak season for Airbnbs in Eastsound?
Who are the top property managers on Orcas Island?
What is the occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Eastsound?
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