During these shorter winter days we enjoy getting away from the dock and over to some remote anchorage that takes but an hour or so to reach. Two such places we frequent include Hope Island and Skagit Island, both located in Skagit Bay. Depending on the state of the Parks system, Hope Island normally has five mooring balls if fully equipped and Skagit one. Those seem to work quite well, but the state has located them in very thin water at zero tide. Our boat has a five foot draft, so not really a problem, but when you peek over the side and see bottom approaching, there is some cause for concern.
Southerlies during the winter months seem more common and with the northern moorings you obtain better weather protection than on the south side of the island where anchoring is your only choice. These two anchorages work well, too when you intend to transit Deception Pass. Both place you about 15 minutes from the east entrance where slack water passage is most preferred in a displacement type boat.
Both small Islands have trails around them, primitive camp grounds and dense wooded areas. We have yet to go ashore, just rather enjoy the warmth below decks during the colder winter months and away from the marina.
If by chance all of the available moorings are occupied, you can drop an anchor in the area, but be aware of bull kelp, where sometimes an anchor will not set well. The alternative is to sail a short distance over to Cornet Bay, which has ample dock space and also good anchor holding, if you so choose. They also have a manual pump out facility, nice camp grounds, toilets and a small store. It is also right at the east entrance to Deception
Pass.
If you plan to head north from Cornet Bay, it is best to plan your Deception Pass transit on a slack before the flood. That way you can sail over to Cattle Pass and catch the flood up San Juan Channel, which makes for a speedy north passage. Currents in San Juan Channel can run three to four knots on a large tide swing.
http://www.stateparks.com/hope_island.html
http://parks.state.wa.us/584/Skagit-Island
http://www.deceptionpassfoundation.org/around-the-park/cornet-bay/
Southerlies during the winter months seem more common and with the northern moorings you obtain better weather protection than on the south side of the island where anchoring is your only choice. These two anchorages work well, too when you intend to transit Deception Pass. Both place you about 15 minutes from the east entrance where slack water passage is most preferred in a displacement type boat.
Both small Islands have trails around them, primitive camp grounds and dense wooded areas. We have yet to go ashore, just rather enjoy the warmth below decks during the colder winter months and away from the marina.
If by chance all of the available moorings are occupied, you can drop an anchor in the area, but be aware of bull kelp, where sometimes an anchor will not set well. The alternative is to sail a short distance over to Cornet Bay, which has ample dock space and also good anchor holding, if you so choose. They also have a manual pump out facility, nice camp grounds, toilets and a small store. It is also right at the east entrance to Deception
Pass.
If you plan to head north from Cornet Bay, it is best to plan your Deception Pass transit on a slack before the flood. That way you can sail over to Cattle Pass and catch the flood up San Juan Channel, which makes for a speedy north passage. Currents in San Juan Channel can run three to four knots on a large tide swing.
http://www.stateparks.com/hope_island.html
http://parks.state.wa.us/584/Skagit-Island
http://www.deceptionpassfoundation.org/around-the-park/cornet-bay/
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