Here's a handy chart with the work already done, the distances are via the shortest route.
Boating & Sailing the San Juan Islands and Surrounding Area
Maps, Charts, Parks and Camping Cruises. Places to go
Things to do, Pictures, Reviews, Moorages, Marinas, Boat ramps.
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3/30/2023
Quick distance chart from where you are to where you want to be in the San Juan Islands
Here's a handy chart with the work already done, the distances are via the shortest route.
2/25/2023
Map locating Boat Ramps, Docks, Marine Parks and boat launching ramps serving the San Juan Islands
The facilities listed, are in my opinion, most useful for cruisers, which means lots of private resorts are not shown because they don't cater to transient boaters.
Click on the picture and then enlarge it to see dot colors better!
Note on trip planning:
I don't recommend taking your boat on a ferry and launching somewhere in the islands. However if you must, there are county ramps on all four islands served by the ferries except Shaw. Many private resorts have ramps but they are inferior at best, nonfunctional at worst. The one exception is Jackson Beach Park (Port of Friday Harbor) near Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Jackson has a good double ramp and float and you can park for free up to 72 hours.
12/23/2022
What happens when a big boat drags anchor and slams into you?
In about thirty minutes the Roche Harbor staff will be lowering the flags and firing the cannon. Several times in past years, circumstances or poor planning have caused me to miss the ceremony. The firing of the cannon is what I really want to see. The belching smoke, the jagged dagger of flame, the explosive echo’s ricocheting across Roche Harbor. I anticipate a fantastic kick off for my best fireworks ever. Finally, the stars have aligned for me, and on the fourth of July at that. This is already a great trip. The kids will stay on the boat while Linda and I paddle ashore. The lowering of the flags and cannon firing will be at sundown.
11/11/2022
Eight places in the San Juans where you can dent your pride and check your ego
In the San Juan's we are pretty much always near shore (it's not that big an area) so should we worry all the time? No! We should pay attention using our heads and our tools.
All the rocks, reefs and shallows are marked on charts, the especially egregious places have buoys, signs, sticks and posts out in the water. Of course with storms, high tides, poor maintenance, things go missing, so we are back to paying attention and using the old noggin.
Once not too long ago we were motoring in flat mirror perfect water at about 7 knots in twenty feet of depth. Up ahead I saw a disturbance (some itty bitty ripples) I glanced at my chart plotter and saw nothing alarming, nevertheless as we neared the ripples I braked and prepared to go full astern.
While watching the depth gauge, suddenly -- there it was -- the depth dropped to six and then four -- and we came to a halt. (no we didn't hit) I stopped, turned and went around the shallow spot.
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on watch |
10/14/2022
Leaving for LaConner this morning!
Windrose, aka "Rosey" has made it to the San Juans |
In good company anchored at Jones Island |
7/22/12
Read about Rosey here > Rosey's first trip after arriving at her new home in the San Juans
Read about Rosey's tsunami nightmare and repair here > Bombay Pilothouse Project
9/17/2022
Visit Olga on Orcas Island and ride your bikes up Mt Constitution or Moran Park
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Olga public dock has room for about three boats on each side, all buoys are private. |
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The dinghy's at Olga belong to locals, there is no access to beach except, a nasty slippery, very steep, and thorny trail in brush under ramp. |
8/08/2022
Creating maximum space at the dock and general good manners.
Having just returned from a 200 mile sweep around the San Juan's, I am fresh with observations and thoughts of how to improve the experience.
Everyone knows that dock space is first come first served and not to expect room for one more when you arrive. However, there is room for more if you try using some common sense. Somewhere in the mountain of state park dock rules and regs is the suggestion to locate boats close together. Spacing boats fifteen feet apart is not helpful and yet it is common. Tying ones dinghy to the float instead of rafting it is another obvious inconsiderate ploy that effectively exclude others. By the way, did they pay for the extra dinghy footage?
Speaking of dinghy's, many parks have designated dinghy docks but I see people with fifteen foot inflatables, complete with 50hp outboards, consoles, windshields and bimini's, side tied at the dinghy dock forcing real dinghy's to make do as best they can. What is really annoying is when you realize the offending dinghy belongs to the fifty five footer tied to the same float.
Speaking of bigger or smaller boats, a considerate skipper will let his longish bow area stick out beyond the end of the float so his fifty five feet only uses forty feet of dock. Stop! I know this trick is a bad idea in some locations and for some boats. Obviously, I'm not suggesting being foolish, I'm suggesting being thoughtful and considerate.
While we are talking considerate activities, how long is long enough or too long to run a generator? During my latest visit we were treated to a generator running for eight hour stretches. It was during the daytime and it was fairly quiet but come on, at least get off the dock and anchor out a ways. I was anchored out myself, it must have been no fun at all for the people close by.
I spend some of my non San Juan boating time around jet skis, water skiers, tubers, newbies, loud music and alcohol fueled people enjoying the water. As such, I expect close encounters, big wakes and general on water mayhem. But not in the San Juan's, the San Juan's attract an older more refined, mature crowd. We have miles of room to navigate, there is really no reason for close encounters. Jet skis are outlawed and proper boating is the norm. On this visit a thirty five footer at high speed overtook us and passed by so close they would have hit us if I had turned unexpectedly. I had no time to react, their wake rolled us so violently that one crew was thrown out of their seat and some of our belongings came crashing off shelves and out of cabinets breaking on the cabin sole. I regret I did not get a picture or name of the offending boat. I am not embarrassed that acting on reflex, I cussed them over the radio. Then after realizing in my haste I may not have keyed the mike, I did it again clearly to make sure they heard. I hope they heard me but my antenna was down with the inflatable on the roof so my range was greatly reduced. I apologize for may last paragraph, I'm still reeling when I think about the incident.
On an upnote, at Jones Island, as we were anchoring, a skipper at the float yelled over to us that he was leaving in a few minutes. We aborted lowering the hook and moved over, thank you very much.
Also at Jones, we thought we lost a cell phone, trail mix and passports in a drybag at our camp site, only to find it two days later where a racoon had stashed it in the bushes, unharmed but chewed on.
7/06/2022
My get home system is finally put to use.
More than a decade ago I installed an outboard bracket to carry the dinghy motor on the back of my 40 year old Nordic Tug. The transom mounted bracket allows me to store the 5hp Honda and easily transfer it to and from the dinghy. Thinking way ahead, I mounted the bracket down low so that if I ever needed an emergency push or trolling kicker, I would lower the motor, connect the fuel line and away we'd go.
Well it finally happened. Last month, the tug made a strange sound so I shut off the motor and began drifting. Because I had forgotten how the mechanism worked and fiddling with it while hanging over the back end was a little uncomfortable, it took me a few minutes to get the prop in the water and the fuel line connected. After about ten pulls the motor came to life and we were ready to go.
Holding the cowling I pointed it at what I guessed was straight ahead. I shoved the gearshift into forward and twisted the tiller to a medium fast idle. At first we didn't move but then it was apparent our nearly ten thousand pounds was actually making headway. Because I was hanging over the back, I yelled to Linda, asking if we were pointed okay or should I try steering. Her answer was not helpful.
I made my way inside and determined we were indeed headed for a mud flat. I turned the wheel and observed an agonizing slow response. The gps showed we were making 4 mph but our smallish rudder is designed to have the force of the diesel engine pushing our 18" prop wash against it. The outboard is far over on one side and actually behind the rudder. Never the less we began turning away from the shallows.
So, the system worked. I can't say I am impressed with performance but it will beat using the canoe paddle that I keep on board. The two gallon fuel tank will be very limiting and I am aware that the outboard can't be lowered with the dinghy on its davits.
I know others have get home plans and motors, I thought some may benefit hearing my experience.
Oh, and the tug, as always, it was fine.
5/02/2022
San Juan Islands Cruise Starting at Cornet Bay in Deception Pass State Park
Here's a link to the marine parks locating map marine parks maps etc. click here
I would be remiss to not point out that most boats can transit the pass a good deal before or after slack water, slack water is simply zero current like in the picture. Also don't forget Swinomish Channel is just around the corner and avoids the pass altogether.
3/19/2022
Friday Harbor Marina Map
Even regular visitors can forget where G-dock is or which side are the odd numbered slips!
Anyone see the dinghy dock? (It's at the end of A-dock)
Tip #1 Ask for a slip close to land, that quarter mile walk gets old real fast!
Tip #2 If your visit includes loading and unloading passengers and gear, save yourself a long walk and use the load dock below the marina office. (just motor past the fuel pier) The side facing land is for public use. The other side is for VIP's
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Image Courtesy the Port of Friday Harbor |
Roche Harbor Marina Map
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Roche Harbor |
1/24/2022
Sobering thought worth thinking about
I was busy cleaning out my laptop and as usual became sidetracked reading something I wrote. I immediately noticed punctuation and other errors but more than that, I vividly remembered the situation I had written about and how shaken I was. I remember thinking that perhaps risking my family's lives was not my decision to make. I remember considering turning around and quitting boating right then and there.
I hope I have caught the attention of others like me. Below is the gist of what I wrote almost ten years ago.
Crossing Rosario Strait heading into Thatcher Pass, we were all staring out the front and not paying attention to our sideways set (side drift) when out of the corner of my eye I caught a movement that turned out to be rocks coming at us fast. (full flood must have been 3+ knots) The current was forcing us sideways straight onto the rocks of tiny Pointer Island. I swung hard over and pushed her to full throttle, our outboard barely pulled us away with one hundred feet and two or three seconds to spare. I shuddered thinking of my family on board and almost quit boating right then and there.
While we’re talking currents, I am sure you know that
your boat will be dragged sideways whilst you drive forward when crossing a
channel or fast water. It is very easy to not pay enough attention to the currents “set and
drift” and what’s on the side of your boat. Let’s put it simpler, if you’re
driving forward and looking forward you will miss what you’re heading for
sideways. It is easy when close to hazards to allow yourself to be dragged into
them because your looking where you want to go, not where you are really going.
Tip. Please re-read
that last sentence and get it into your default system, it may save your boat
or someone’s life.
Please leave your SCARY story in the comments below. You will never know but you may save someone. John
12/17/2021
Troubling winter time thoughts
9/20/2021
Where are the Boat Ramps for your San Juan Islands Cruise Vacation?
- Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham - unlimited free parking, fresh water rinse hoses, guest docks, restaurants (you will be glad you began and ended your trip here) (updated 10/1/21) I just became aware that Squalicum Harbor has changed their free parking to FIVE days maximum. This is bad news for some of us that like to take 7-10 day cruises. I recommend calling them. Cornet Bay requires payment but at least has much longer parking.
- Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park - lots of pay to park, guest docks, nice place and float to hang out.
- La Conner (south end Swinomish Channel) city ramp, float, on street parking, cheap fees, guest docks.
- Washington Park in Anacortes - limited pay parking, double ramps with float but open to swell and waves from Geumes Channel, no guest docks, very nice on site campground, easy bike ride or hike to ferry.
- Twin Bridges (north end Swinomish Channel) County ramp, limited pay parking, small float that's dry at low tide, security risk area NOTE: It's just a little further to La Conner and well worth it!
- Oak Harbor - free ramp, $2/day parking, guest docks nearby, full marina services nearby, long walk to town!
- Cap Sante in Anacortes is not listed because they have a sling, not a ramp, Cap Sante would be second choice if you want to sling your boat in. Guest docks and big RV or trailer pay parking lot. (you can spend a lot of bucks here)
Click below
7/03/2021
They say Canada visits are open after July 21st 2021
I just read a website that says we can go back and forth after July 21st. This is undoubtedly subject to change with current conditions and remember what the US says and Canada says may differ so check with both sides before you cross over.
Interestingly, the last time I had a passport problem (expired) and could not find the answer online. I simply called the office in Friday Harbor and talked directly with an agent. He gave me the straight and current poop in a simple phone call. It made me realize how much I had gotten away from talking to people who actually run the show. Now if I can get certain people to quit texting for hours on end when picking up the phone is more expedient anyway.
5/26/2021
Summer is upon us - Memorial Day kick offs are this weekend
and we don't know what to expect regarding Covid 19 closures - openings or anything else. Are we allowed to visit Canada, what about our regular haunts and favorite hideouts?
I was hoping to give everyone a heads up for Fourth of July plans around the San Juan's but I am in the dark. I know that earlier this month we dropped in on a scheduled rendezvous at a local dock and only three boats showed up, all stating they didn't know anything about approved summer activities.
Well, all I can say is, we will be heading out as often as we can, trying our best to enjoy cruising in 2021 and beyond.
John
4/23/2021
Summer Cruising Plans - Do it now! - Ten resorts and phone numbers where you can reserve a slip
After spending a few nights on the hook somewhere, or jostling for dock space at a park that only holds four boats and has no water or shower, I look forward to my guaranteed reservation.
If you have a firm date planned, 4th of July maybe, you can call or get online and reserve a slip.
- La Conner 360 466 3118
- Cap Sante 360 2930694
- Squalicum Harbor 360 676 2542
- Blakelys 360375 6121
- West Beach 360 375 6121
- Islander Resort 360 468 2233
- Friday Harbor 360 378 2688
- Roche Harbor 800 586 3590
- Deer Harbor 360 376 3037
- Rosario Resort 360 376 2152
Did you know?
For your land bound friends and relatives (children). They can make campground reservations.
- Sucia Island State Park
- Odlin County Park
- San Juan Island County Park
- Spencer Spit State Park
- Washington Park (Anacortes city park)
Follow this link to a post outlining a land and sea outing involving - cars - campgrounds - ferry rides - bicycles and one boat used as a taxi.
Outside the box cruising
What are you waiting for - Winter? |
2/01/2021
Where is Odlin Park Dock on Lopez Island
Since parks aren't marked on charts, this snapshot may help you find Odlin Park. Update: We have dropped the kids here again (Odlin Park). This time they had reservations for a campsite (smart idea). They left their car at Washington Park in Anacortes, and came by bicycle on the ferry to Orcas. I know that may seem confusing since Odlin Park is on Lopez. So here is the quick low down. We started at Squalicum Harbor - Bellingham and anchored at Jones Island. Two days later we picked them (our adult children) up at the county dock in Eastsound (Orcas) Went back to Jones where they camped on shore. The next day we ran over to Stuart and rode bikes to the lighthouse, then came back and camped at Jones again. The next day we dropped them at the county dock at Odlin Park on Lopez, and we took a slip at Friday Harbor. Two days later, we picked them up off the beach at Odlin Park (bikes in dinghies), had an ice cream break at Blakely's, and then hiked Eagle Bluff on Cypress. We tried to camp at Cypress Head, but because of wind ended up anchored for a calm night at Saddlebag Island Park where they slept on shore again. On the kids last day we dropped them and their bikes at the dock at nearby Washington Park where their car was parked. We then ran back to Bellingham and slept at the dock in Squalicum Harbor. If you have read this far, you should see that mixing ferries, foot passengers, bicycles, and camping on shore, can all come together for a custom outing in the San Juan's. Did I mention the visit to the brewery in Eastsound? If Lopez Village is on your bucket list (free showers) try this link. How to land your dinghy at Lopez Village |
1/06/2021
Pontoon boats, Hobie Cats, Wave Runners
Why are some boats seldom or never seen in the San Juans? I'm going out on a limb here and speculating because I really don't know why I have never seen a pontoon boat in the islands. I may have seen a small cat once but I don't remember when.
I have read that jet skis and pwc's are forbidden in San Juan county so that explains their absence on the water. I have seen them many times on the decks of larger yachts or being towed. Small cats with limited or no storage don't lend themselves to cruising but I would think that if a kayaker can get by with minimal gear so can a wet and wild sailor in a wet suit. This leaves me with pontoon boats. Party barges as they are sometimes called are common on lakes and rivers and easily trailered. They can certainly carry camping gear and some have cabins, so why aren't they seen in the San Juan's?
I'm guessing that pontoon boats don't do well in big waves. Except with suitable weather windows big waves might be avoided (this is a big maybe). Big wakes are another thing but they happen everywhere including lakes and rivers, especially with the advent of ballast shifting wake boats. My next thought is that party barges are the boat of choice for the younger crowd and much of the cruising crowd is a more seasoned bunch preferring beds, fridges and galley sinks.
I will be on watch.
11/21/2020
What Happens When You Wind Your Dinghy Painter Around Your Propeller? Twice!
- We towed this guy and his big dog in his dinghy from Orcas Landing across to Blind Bay. In our haste we snagged the tow rope before we got started. We wound it up on the prop killing our outboard motor and then, since we had already cast off, we drifted dead behind the ferry that had just arrived. For a few worried minutes I was glancing up at the ferry pilothouse, I was wondering if the captain saw us or was he looking down at us and laughing. I was close to making a radio call, but we got the line loose and moved on a few minutes before the ferry departed.
- More recently in another boat, our dinghy line was tied to the stern rail and I unknowingly dragged it through the water all the way from Stuart to Jones Island. And then, wound it up around the prop when I used reverse while attempting to anchor. All hell broke loose with everyone yelling what to do or not to do as the line wound up tighter and tighter. By the time I put it in neutral our rail had begun bowing and creaking. We dropped the anchor and luckily were able to rotate the shaft freeing the line but someone almost had to go for a dip.
(update, I think the last little snafu where we wound it up may have bent something because I might be detecting a little vibration at wot. Its not too late to follow my own advice before I do it again and make the boat unusable costing some real boat $$$$)
10/12/2020
Pictorial Hike to Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island
I'll try to keep the text to a minimum
We took the dinghy to shore at Pelican Beach, which is a Department of Natural Resources Site (DNR) see Pelican Beach >> Read about Pelican Beach on Cypress right here
The boardwalk quickly gives way to forested trail |
8/25/2020
Things to do in the San Juan's - Explore Fort Whitman and Battery Harrison on Goat Island
If you like to explore ruins and go on easy hikes, this is the place for you.
steel railings, doors, long gone |
trees have taken back the island |
the round pit is where one of four guns was anchored |
rooms and hallways are interconnected
If you want some more off the beaten path places to explore, try this post.
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7/31/2020
Use the Friday Harbor Marina Camera
7/10/2020
Excellent Anchoring Etiquette and Proper First Impressions at State Marine Parks
6/06/2020
Kayak and Bicycle Camping in the San Juan Islands
- Don't just show up with your bicycle or kayak without knowing where to go or what to expect, if you do you may miss out on something and not even know it.
- San Juan area kayak launching and campsites with gps coordinates plus vehicle parking places are just a click away.
- >>> park your car and launch your kayak <<< did you click?
- >>> Bike camping <<< Biker/hiker/vehicle friendly parks
5/16/2020
Ten Best Parks of the San Juan Islands
Picking the best of anything is asking for an argument but I thought folks planning a visit would benefit from the discussion.
- parks with docks
- Jones Island
- Matia
- Fossil Bay on Sucia
- James Island
- Stuart Island (Prevost & Reid Harbor)
- Sharpe Cove and Cornet Bay at Deception Pass
- parks without docks
- Saddlebag Island
- Pelican Beach
- Turn Island
- Eagle Harbor
- Cypress Head
- Patos
- Sucia (Echo and Shallow bays)
- Spencer Spit
- Odlin County Park (has 2 hr dock)
- Clark Island
- Doe Island
- Obstruction Pass
- Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada) (has overnight dock)
- Washington Park (launching ramp only dock)
- San Juan County Park
- Shaw Island Park
- Jones Island is my number one choice and here's why.
- bigger but not biggest dock
- protected bay
- great dinghy beach with a couple tidepools
- anchor buoys and lots of room to anchor
- running water and four nice nearby composters
- hiking the many loop trails at Jones never gets boring
- tiny deer, many tame, are unique to Jones
- dock is very close to camp sites for evening fires
- close to Deer Harbor for supplies
- crowds sometimes
- long ways back to the mainland
- open to north wind
- no bicycle trails
- very small intimate dock for four boats
- usually room when we arrive
- small protected bay holds about four more boats
- great gravel beach
- multiple coves for beachcombing
- puffins, seals and eagles and great sunsets
- unique rain forest one mile or less loop trail
- somewhat close to Squalicum Harbor (2-3 hours)
- restroom at top of gangplank
- Matia is a peaceful quiet special place
5/02/2020
Beach Camping in the San Juan's
There are no approved places that you may pull up your boat or park your car, or ride your bicycle to and then pitch a tent. That leaves parks and resorts and there are plenty to choose from including those with waterfront or beach camping sites.
County, City and State Parks:
These are the parks that are accessible by vehicle, bicycle or hiking, reservations are a good idea.
- Washington Park in Anacortes
- San Juan County Park on San Juan Island
- Odlin County Park on Lopez Island
- Shaw Island County Park on Shaw Island
- Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island
- Moran State Park on Orcas Island
- Deception Pass State Park near Anacortes
- Obstruction Pass State Park on Orcas island, (requires short hike)
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Moran Park entrance on Orcas Island |
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Cornet Bay transient dock and launch ramp at Deception Pass park |
- James Island
- Jones Island
- Clark Island
- Doe Island (possibly still closed)
- Pelican Beach on Cypress Island
- Cypress Head on Cypress Island
- Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island (anchor buoy field only)
- Matia
- Patos
- Sucia (campground reservations are availalbe)
- Stuart Island (Prevost & Reid Harbor)
- Saddlebag Island
- Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada)
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Jones Island State Park |