We are novice sailors and want to spend about a week in the San Juans this summer/fall. Leaving from Seattle. Debating on going in August or September. Which month would you pick for the best weather/least amount of fog? What are your recommendations for easiest anchoring spots? and which places have mooring balls? We prefer quiet spots with less people and do not need to move to a different spot every night. Thanks! Ann
San Juans - best month to go
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September
We go in early September. Weather is still excellent and schools are back in session so the crowds are gone. Buy the Waggoner's Guide. It is the single best source of information on PNW crusing and will answer all of your questions about where to go, moorage, etc. It is a must have. Another must have is the Canadian-published Current Charts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its companion annual index put out each year. These two publications (available at WM) will tell you the exact tidal currents at any given hour and at what speed the tide is moving. The San Juans are a blast!
We go in early September. Weather is still excellent and schools are back in session so the crowds are gone. Buy the Waggoner's Guide. It is the single best source of information on PNW crusing and will answer all of your questions about where to go, moorage, etc. It is a must have. Another must have is the Canadian-published Current Charts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its companion annual index put out each year. These two publications (available at WM) will tell you the exact tidal currents at any given hour and at what speed the tide is moving. The San Juans are a blast!
Early or Late
Unless you like madening crowds, carnivals, and the like, and don't mind crazy and inconsiderate powerboaters, I'd recommend avoiding August (aka Fogust) and the beginning of September all together. And for that matter, maybe even most or all of July. By mid September the number of crazies should have subsided enough so one could have a more enjoyable experience. Based on past experience, there is often a fairly good storm toward the end of July with winds out of the south and if the large tides are cooperative then one can make really good time. The days really start to shorten in August and September so if there is any way you could go earlier and use the long daylight hours that would be the best. I agree with NautiDuck's suggestions for reference materials.
Unless you like madening crowds, carnivals, and the like, and don't mind crazy and inconsiderate powerboaters, I'd recommend avoiding August (aka Fogust) and the beginning of September all together. And for that matter, maybe even most or all of July. By mid September the number of crazies should have subsided enough so one could have a more enjoyable experience. Based on past experience, there is often a fairly good storm toward the end of July with winds out of the south and if the large tides are cooperative then one can make really good time. The days really start to shorten in August and September so if there is any way you could go earlier and use the long daylight hours that would be the best. I agree with NautiDuck's suggestions for reference materials.
Ann
Hi Ann, I live on Orcas Island in the San Juans. I would second Randy's recommendation for early September for the same reasons. If you are leaving from Seattle, I would encourage you to take more than a week. When we travel to Seattle by boat we normally make it a two day trip with a stop in Port Townsend. If you do two days each coming and going, it doesn't leave much time to explore up here. Also pay close attention to the tides which can substantially slow you down or speed you up. If you have your own boat, you might think about coming up to Anacortes the weekend before and leaving it there. Lots of place to recommend. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, both on San Juan Island are the best marinas. There are excellent anchorages in Reid Harbor, Stuart Island, Echo Bay on Sucia, and Spencer Spit on Lopez, all with mooring buoys and all with good shore exploration opportunities. Hope you enjoy it here! Gary Wyngarden S/V Raven N52
Hi Ann, I live on Orcas Island in the San Juans. I would second Randy's recommendation for early September for the same reasons. If you are leaving from Seattle, I would encourage you to take more than a week. When we travel to Seattle by boat we normally make it a two day trip with a stop in Port Townsend. If you do two days each coming and going, it doesn't leave much time to explore up here. Also pay close attention to the tides which can substantially slow you down or speed you up. If you have your own boat, you might think about coming up to Anacortes the weekend before and leaving it there. Lots of place to recommend. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, both on San Juan Island are the best marinas. There are excellent anchorages in Reid Harbor, Stuart Island, Echo Bay on Sucia, and Spencer Spit on Lopez, all with mooring buoys and all with good shore exploration opportunities. Hope you enjoy it here! Gary Wyngarden S/V Raven N52
I've also been there in mid september and
the weather was so nice the locals made me promise to tell everyone in Calif. that it rained ALL the time, there was actually a drought at the time even tho' it did rain a little every day seemed like.
the weather was so nice the locals made me promise to tell everyone in Calif. that it rained ALL the time, there was actually a drought at the time even tho' it did rain a little every day seemed like.
The crazies never leave, just look at it as entertainment
Ann Just took some pictures showing some buoys. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17939 If you want to see the Orcus, sail up the west side of San Jaun Island. paulj
Ann Just took some pictures showing some buoys. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17939 If you want to see the Orcus, sail up the west side of San Jaun Island. paulj
I don't recommend September
because that is when I like to go. Like Randy said, the kids are back in school, and things are less crowded. Head up on the Labor Day weekend. All of the state parks have mooring buoys, check out Paul's pictures to see what they look like. Also I second the idea for Waggoner's cruising guide, and I believe Randy's other recommendation is the 'Current Atlas/Atlas des Courants Juan de Fuca Strait to/a Strait of Georgia', with the annual tables (purchased separately). We are leaving for the islands this week, so you can have less boats when you go. Have fun.
because that is when I like to go. Like Randy said, the kids are back in school, and things are less crowded. Head up on the Labor Day weekend. All of the state parks have mooring buoys, check out Paul's pictures to see what they look like. Also I second the idea for Waggoner's cruising guide, and I believe Randy's other recommendation is the 'Current Atlas/Atlas des Courants Juan de Fuca Strait to/a Strait of Georgia', with the annual tables (purchased separately). We are leaving for the islands this week, so you can have less boats when you go. Have fun.
Speaking of Orcas ==> New Law for boaters
For info, there is a new law that went into effect on June 12, 2008, with regard to staying clear of the Southern Resident Orcas. See the State Department of Fish & Wildlife link: http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=jun1208a Excellent diagram on the "stay clear" and "No-Go" zones around Orcas at "Be whale wise dot org" link: http://www.bewhalewise.org/ Sound travels very well through water and since the Orcas communicate and feed using their hearing the nearby boats make noises that can make feeding difficult. Whales have been found with their ribs sticking out which is/can be an indication of inadequate food. These tourist boats and other vessels that shadow the whales can have a negative impact on them. We sure don't need to love 'em to death!
For info, there is a new law that went into effect on June 12, 2008, with regard to staying clear of the Southern Resident Orcas. See the State Department of Fish & Wildlife link: http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=jun1208a Excellent diagram on the "stay clear" and "No-Go" zones around Orcas at "Be whale wise dot org" link: http://www.bewhalewise.org/ Sound travels very well through water and since the Orcas communicate and feed using their hearing the nearby boats make noises that can make feeding difficult. Whales have been found with their ribs sticking out which is/can be an indication of inadequate food. These tourist boats and other vessels that shadow the whales can have a negative impact on them. We sure don't need to love 'em to death!
sept.
first two weeks of sept...less crowds plus sept. is usually dry around puget sound...er...well dryer
first two weeks of sept...less crowds plus sept. is usually dry around puget sound...er...well dryer
Another guide......
Pickup a copy of "GunkHoling in the San Juans". Excellent guide. I agree with Sept. Last time I bareboated up there was middle of Sept. Only had one day of "liquid sunshine", 5 days of near perfect weather and no crowds. Also the 3rd week of June is OK too. Have fun.
Pickup a copy of "GunkHoling in the San Juans". Excellent guide. I agree with Sept. Last time I bareboated up there was middle of Sept. Only had one day of "liquid sunshine", 5 days of near perfect weather and no crowds. Also the 3rd week of June is OK too. Have fun.
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