Hi Fred. I'm coming up to your neck of the woods in sept, chartering a 40' powerboat (I know, I know)out of anacortes for 5 days. Can you recommend places to go? And maybe where not to go? I'd like to spend 2 nites on the hook to some crabbing and island exploring and 2 nites at a marina. Looking at Victoria too. Thanks, Bob Frye My Email: RMF1643@aol.com
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Bob, I'm going to be a newbie this year too,
We haven't cruised the San Juan's since the mid '80s. Cruising Worlds' new issue is all about the northwest. We are going to do Desolation Sound this year. We haven't been there since 1990. Once we discovered it, we didn't even slow down for the SJs. Hey, John (Nantz)! Can you help out?
We haven't cruised the San Juan's since the mid '80s. Cruising Worlds' new issue is all about the northwest. We are going to do Desolation Sound this year. We haven't been there since 1990. Once we discovered it, we didn't even slow down for the SJs. Hey, John (Nantz)! Can you help out?
Bob, help is here
but let me collect my thoughts. Been there last two summers. Sept is great time, weather is good, people are home. Scott
but let me collect my thoughts. Been there last two summers. Sept is great time, weather is good, people are home. Scott
Bob, pick up chart 18421, which covers the ...
San Juan Island area. Some areas that I recommend that will provide what you are looking for: 1. Sucia Island on the north end of Orcas Island. Echo Bay has several mooring buoys and good anchoring. Fossil Bay is also good but smaller and it has two public docks. The Island is timber covered with lots of hiking trails. It is a State park and uninhabited except for the park ranger and his family. You need to arrive early in the day during the peak season because it fills up fast in the afternoon. 2. Friday Harbor on the east side of San Juan Island has a nice marina and a small town with lots of places to shop and eat. Roche Harbor on the north end of the Island also has a nice marina, but not much in the way of shops. It does, however, have several historical and sites of interest that you can spend hours exploring. 3. Hunter Bay on the secluded south east side of Lopez Island is great for crabbing and has good anchoring. Turkey legs make good bait. Boil the crab for fifteen minutes in the salt water from the sound. Mmmmm. Considering the duration of your visit you want to limit the number of places on your must see list so that you can enjoy them rather than being rushed. Good luck and have nice trip. Terry
San Juan Island area. Some areas that I recommend that will provide what you are looking for: 1. Sucia Island on the north end of Orcas Island. Echo Bay has several mooring buoys and good anchoring. Fossil Bay is also good but smaller and it has two public docks. The Island is timber covered with lots of hiking trails. It is a State park and uninhabited except for the park ranger and his family. You need to arrive early in the day during the peak season because it fills up fast in the afternoon. 2. Friday Harbor on the east side of San Juan Island has a nice marina and a small town with lots of places to shop and eat. Roche Harbor on the north end of the Island also has a nice marina, but not much in the way of shops. It does, however, have several historical and sites of interest that you can spend hours exploring. 3. Hunter Bay on the secluded south east side of Lopez Island is great for crabbing and has good anchoring. Turkey legs make good bait. Boil the crab for fifteen minutes in the salt water from the sound. Mmmmm. Considering the duration of your visit you want to limit the number of places on your must see list so that you can enjoy them rather than being rushed. Good luck and have nice trip. Terry
A couple of links
The San Juans are a great place to spend a week or ten. As noted, they will get busy during the peak time in the summer (July & August), but don't let it discourage you. One place not yet mentioned that I particularly like is Stuart Island, Reid Harbor. Lots of bouys, some dock space, lots of anchoring room, and some fun ashore. Hike to the one room school house, or out to the old light house. Well marked (but up and down) trails and just some laid back swinging on the hook. Check out the link below for an overview of the state parks. On a weather note, any bad weather will come from the southwest, so be aware of any anchorage open to the SW. Additionally, some anchorages that might seem otherwise protected, are exposed to the wakes from the Washington State Ferries. Ferry routes are noted on your charts. Here's a fun write up on Sucia Island: http://www.48north.com/may_2003/sucia.htm Another fun resource might be to order the book "Gunkholing in the San Juan Islands" (I may have spelled 'Gunkholing' wrong, but you get the idea. Probably can order it from Amazon. There's not a lot of Marina's on the US side of the SJ islands. When you go to Canada, they become the Gulf Islands. Specific marina's that have some interest are Friday Harbor (as mentioned by someone else), Roche Harbor, not far from Friday, and a bit spendy. Fisherman's bay on Lopez island has a small marina and a walk to the village - watch your depth and charts entering the bay. We do have some significant tides and the resulting currents. While dreaming away over a chart about your upcoming trip, google for Puget Sound Tides and Currents - I don't have the link handy - it will give you some ideas for planning your week. "Go with the Flow"! I'm sure you will enjoy your trip! September is our favorite time of year and we will most likely be in the islands for a couple of weeks this September. The weather is usually still pretty nice - it will chill off in the evenings. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
The San Juans are a great place to spend a week or ten. As noted, they will get busy during the peak time in the summer (July & August), but don't let it discourage you. One place not yet mentioned that I particularly like is Stuart Island, Reid Harbor. Lots of bouys, some dock space, lots of anchoring room, and some fun ashore. Hike to the one room school house, or out to the old light house. Well marked (but up and down) trails and just some laid back swinging on the hook. Check out the link below for an overview of the state parks. On a weather note, any bad weather will come from the southwest, so be aware of any anchorage open to the SW. Additionally, some anchorages that might seem otherwise protected, are exposed to the wakes from the Washington State Ferries. Ferry routes are noted on your charts. Here's a fun write up on Sucia Island: http://www.48north.com/may_2003/sucia.htm Another fun resource might be to order the book "Gunkholing in the San Juan Islands" (I may have spelled 'Gunkholing' wrong, but you get the idea. Probably can order it from Amazon. There's not a lot of Marina's on the US side of the SJ islands. When you go to Canada, they become the Gulf Islands. Specific marina's that have some interest are Friday Harbor (as mentioned by someone else), Roche Harbor, not far from Friday, and a bit spendy. Fisherman's bay on Lopez island has a small marina and a walk to the village - watch your depth and charts entering the bay. We do have some significant tides and the resulting currents. While dreaming away over a chart about your upcoming trip, google for Puget Sound Tides and Currents - I don't have the link handy - it will give you some ideas for planning your week. "Go with the Flow"! I'm sure you will enjoy your trip! September is our favorite time of year and we will most likely be in the islands for a couple of weeks this September. The weather is usually still pretty nice - it will chill off in the evenings. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Bob, a couple more ideas
Rosario Resort has great dining and you can use their slips or their morring balls. There is a great hike up Mt. Constitution and the resort will drive you to trail head. There is a road to the top, so you hike up 2-3 hours (tennis shoes are fine) and hitch hike down. I also like Clark Island, either side, but find the rock on the chart before approaching the east side. Deer Harbor Resort is nice and you can anchor out if dock full. I also like Pelican Beach (I think that the name) on the north east part of Cypress Island. From there you can hike across to Eagle Bluff for a fantastic view. Note, Gary Wyngarden lives in the San Juans, so he should weigh in here. Scott
Rosario Resort has great dining and you can use their slips or their morring balls. There is a great hike up Mt. Constitution and the resort will drive you to trail head. There is a road to the top, so you hike up 2-3 hours (tennis shoes are fine) and hitch hike down. I also like Clark Island, either side, but find the rock on the chart before approaching the east side. Deer Harbor Resort is nice and you can anchor out if dock full. I also like Pelican Beach (I think that the name) on the north east part of Cypress Island. From there you can hike across to Eagle Bluff for a fantastic view. Note, Gary Wyngarden lives in the San Juans, so he should weigh in here. Scott
Scott, Rosario Resort is a nice place to visit...
I'm kind of down on the marina's pricing. We stopped by last season and the overnight guest slip fees are the highest in the area...$70 plus for a 40' open. I think moorings were $20 a night. A docking fee just to stop for a couple of hours to tour the mansion was $5. Good anchorage though. There is a small dock at the end of East Sound past Rosario if they wanted to do the town. No overnight moorage unless they come into East Sound from the north side marina. There is room for one 40 footer. Terry
I'm kind of down on the marina's pricing. We stopped by last season and the overnight guest slip fees are the highest in the area...$70 plus for a 40' open. I think moorings were $20 a night. A docking fee just to stop for a couple of hours to tour the mansion was $5. Good anchorage though. There is a small dock at the end of East Sound past Rosario if they wanted to do the town. No overnight moorage unless they come into East Sound from the north side marina. There is room for one 40 footer. Terry
Hey Terry
good point re Rosario slip fee. We like to moor or anchor out so never checked the dock fees. Note to all, Rosario didn't have a pump out as of last summer, fuel, water and groceries are there. Scott
good point re Rosario slip fee. We like to moor or anchor out so never checked the dock fees. Note to all, Rosario didn't have a pump out as of last summer, fuel, water and groceries are there. Scott
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