Housing on Orcas Island reflects its rural, island setting. The stock ranges from homes in and around the walkable village of Eastsound to acreage properties, waterfront and view parcels, and custom-built timber-frame and architect-designed homes across the island. Much of the housing is low-density and spread across forested and shoreline settings, with privacy and natural surroundings a central draw. Because the island is ferry-dependent and has limited land available for development, the market is characterized more by established homes, rural lots, and distinctive custom properties than by large tract developments.

Orcas Island is organized around a cluster of small communities rather than a single town. Eastsound, on the eastern shore, is the island's commercial and cultural center, with shops, restaurants, and services. Orcas Landing at the ferry terminal serves as the island's gateway, while West Sound and Deer Harbor on the west side are quiet residential and boating hamlets. To the south and east, Rosario is anchored by its historic resort and marina, and the rural hamlets of Olga and Doe Bay line the island's more remote shores. Each community has its own character, connected by a network of winding island roads.

Life on Orcas Island is defined by a slower, intentional pace and a strong sense of community. The island supports a notable arts scene, with venues such as the Orcas Center for the performing arts, local galleries, and museums including the Orcas Island Historical Museum. Eastsound offers a walkable village core of cafes, shops, and eateries, while the rest of the island trades big-box convenience for rural quiet and waterfront access. Residents plan around the ferry schedule and embrace the tradeoff of island living for everyday proximity to nature and close community ties.

Orcas Island is reached primarily by Washington State Ferries, with regular sailings from Anacortes that also call at Lopez, Shaw, and San Juan islands on the inter-island route. The ferry terminal at Orcas Landing on the island's southern end makes the island accessible by car, though walk-on passengers and bicycles are also common. Small-aircraft service operates from the island's airfield, and once on the island, travel depends on the local road network linking Eastsound with the outlying hamlets. The ferry is the defining feature of island logistics, shaping schedules for commutes, deliveries, and daily errands.

Moran State Park is Orcas Island's premier outdoor destination, covering the island's northeastern corner with five freshwater lakes, forested campgrounds, and miles of trails. Its centerpiece is Mount Constitution, which rises nearly half a mile and stands as the highest point in the San Juan Islands, topped by a stone observation tower with sweeping views. Beyond the park, the island offers kayaking, sailing, and shoreline access around its many bays, and whale watching is a signature activity in the surrounding waters. The island's arts events, farms, and beaches round out its recreation landscape.