Seiche motions observed in San Juan Harbour with a bottom-mounted pressure gauge have been Fourier-analyzed and interpreted in terms of a theoretical model of oscillations in a rectangular basin with an exponential depth profile. Two of the observed periods (at 14.6 and 38.5 min) are identified with resonances of the basin; two other significant low frequency peaks (at 21 and 55 min) do not coincide with resonant periods of the basin and must be due to strong external forcing. Higher frequency fluctuations (20–160 s) are attributed to swell and to its subharmonic interactions with edge waves.Key words: water waves, seiches, mathematical model, Juan de Fuca Strait, British Columbia