• Discover boat-in spots from Sucia’s anchorages to the trails of Stuart and Jones Island
• Experience the Islands
• Visit bustling Friday and Roche Harbors
• Find serene, secret coves • Your adventure begins now!
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Where are boat ramps, docks, and marine parks located in the San Juan Islands?
This San Juan Islands map shows the locations of key boat ramps, public docks, and marine parks used by cruisers. Ramps are primarily on the mainland at Washington Park, Deception Pass, and Squalicum Harbor, while docks and parks are spread throughout the islands, helping boaters quickly plan launch points, routes, and overnight stops. Most boaters launch from the mainland, not from within the islands.
Map of the San Juan Island Area
With selected Parks, Docks, and Trailer Boat Ramps
• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red• Docks = Green
How to Use This Map for Trip Planning
Boat ramps (purple), docks (green), and parks (red) are arranged to help visualize routes and stopovers. Most reliable launch ramps are on the mainland, while island locations focus on docking and anchoring. This layout allows boaters to plan efficient routes without backtracking or relying on limited island launch facilities.
Most docks (floats) are in parks, resorts, marinas and may be used for overnight camping.
Boat launching ramps have long-term parking. Parks without docks have anchor buoys or areas suitable for anchoring.
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.
The mainland ramps I recommend are Washington Park, Deception Pass Park or Squalicum Harbor (#1 choice most trips is Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham)
Where are the public docks that are not in State Parks?
Listed below are sixteen public docks in the San Juan Islands. When visiting the Islands, many of us head for the great marine state parks, and for good reason, that's where the floats, campgrounds, and amenities are located that vacationers desire.
However, if you want to get off the boat and see something other than campers and boat people, you have two choices. #1 dinghy ashore somewhere or #2 find a public dock and head out. This list and description of San Juan area docks excludes the state parks because most marine state parks are landlocked or waterlocked, leaving visitors with no opportunity to explore beyond the park.
This county float and boat ramp is located just inside Obstruction Pass on the southern tip of Orcas Island.
Nearby pass traffic wakes make this a punishing place to tie up, even for just the two hours allowed, however rendezvousing with friends on shore or heading out on bicycles for a strenuous ride to the top of Mount Constitution may be just what's needed to round out a perfect cruise. Tip: For longer visits, anchor nearby after dropping off passengers and bikes, then drag the dinghy up onto the float or shore. Your boat will thank you when you return.
Obstruction Pass county dock in red circle at top
Blakely's at bottom
Blakely's
Blakely's is a conveniently located fuel dock/deli store about halfway between everywhere we go in the San Juan's.
They are just inside Peavine Pass on Blake Island. On shore is a small store and deli bar famous for ice cream cones to savor on the lush waterfront lawns. Grazing deer share the lawn so watch your step. The dock is rather long with plenty of room on both sides to tie up big and little yachts and still not interfere with those getting fuel. They offer overnight marina slips in a very protected tiny cove. The island and roads are private so boaters may not leave the marina property.
Fuel and store dock at Blakely's is long and you may tie up on either side to avoid wind or current issues.
Deer Harbor
Deer Harbor and community is on the west end of Orcas Island at the end of the road.
You may purchase fuel and snacks, get ice and rent a slip. The county dock is actually the same dock as the fuel float. Simply tie up for the allowed two hours out of the way just past the fuel dispenser. The county section is painted yellow and accommodates several runabouts, sailboats, or one large yacht. This is an excellent jump-off point for kayakers heading for Jones Island or for dropping off people catching the San Juan Transit minibus. The bay out front is calm and rogue wakes are few, anchoring room is abundant, and restrooms, showers, and laundry are on the wharf.
If you squint, and look under the main wharf at Deer Harbor, you can see the yellow-painted public county dock.
What are the best anchorages, marinas, and places to visit when cruising the San Juan Islands?
This cruising guide to the San Juan Islands highlights popular anchorages, marinas, and public docks for visiting boaters. Stops include Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Deer Harbor, and smaller public docks throughout the islands. The guide also points to hiking trails, shore activities, and planning resources to help boaters choose destinations for a relaxed San Juan Islands cruise.
Planning a boating trip to the San Juan Islands?
Whether you're sailing a trailerable sloop, motoring a
pocket trawler, paddling a kayak, or even pedaling a bicycle, this is a good time and place to start planning your next island outing.
Popular Harbors, moorages, and Stops in the San Juan Islands
Cruising the San Juan Islands usually includes a mix of lively harbors and quiet anchorages. Friday Harbor offers fuel, groceries, and restaurants, while Roche Harbor combines a marina with a historic resort setting. Smaller stops such as Deer Harbor and public docks around the islands provide quieter access to hiking trails, kayaking areas, and scenic coves.
Where is a map of San Juan Islands Parks, Docks, and Boat Ramps?
Map of the San Juan Island Area
With selected Parks, Docks, and Trailer Boat Ramps
The boat ramps (purple) are all on the mainland The ramps in the islands are not suitable for cruisers.
• Boat Ramps = Purple • Parks = Red• Docks = Green
Most docks (floats) are in parks, resorts, marinas and may be used for overnight camping. Boat launching ramps have long term parking. Parks without docks have anchor buoys or areas suitable for anchoring.
What are the best boat ramps to use when launching for the San Juan Islands?
Most experienced boaters do not launch from the islands. The best boat ramps for accessing the San Juan Islands are located on the mainland.
Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham
Cornet Bay at Deception Pass
Washington Park in Anacortes
La Conner along the Swinomish Channel.
These ramps offer reliable launching, parking, and access routes, while most island ramps are limited or unsuitable for overnight parking.
Taking your boat for a camping vacation cruise isn't expensive or difficult if you know the places to go and what to do.
If you're going to camp on the boat or on shore, I recommend that you start out in Bellingham or Deception Pass State Park. But if you need or want a campground with a launch ramp for your home base, you should reserve a site at Washington Park in Anacortes.
Boat ramps with parking:
#1 Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham
Lots of parking, fresh water rinse hoses, guest docks, restaurants, nice showers (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. (they used to stick longer term in the overflow gravel lot) Cornet Bay requires payment but at least has longer parking.
#2 Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park
lots of pay to park, guest docks, showers, nice place to hang out before, after and during your vacation. Only minutes from Anacortes.
#3 La Conner (south end of Swinomish Channel)
single lane city ramp, float, on street parking, cheap fees, nearby guest docks. Current to deal with.
#4 Washington Park in Anacortes
limited pay parking, double ramps with float but open to swell and waves from Geumes Channel, no guest docks, showers, very nice on-site campground, easy bike ride or hike to ferry.
#5 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!
#6 Oak Harbor
free ramp, $2/day parking, guest docks nearby, full marina services nearby, long walk to town! long ways to San Juans for slow boats.
#7 Cap Sante in Anacortes
should not be listed because they have a sling, not a ramp, Cap Sante would be a 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)
Note: Taking your boat and trailer by ferry to the islands is probably a bad idea because ramps and parking are inferior or not available. However, launching a skiff you can muscle around off the beach at a county park with no float is very doable.
Click on picture to make it bigger!
For first timers, see articles titled "San Juan Islands for First Timers"
Click below First Timers Itinerary
Click below for a satellite view of Squalicum Harbor
Where are the best places to go in the San Juan Islands for boating, hiking, and exploring?
This comprehensive post has links for almost everything for new boaters and cruisers.
The best places to go in the San Juan Islands include marine parks, small harbors, and scenic inland hikes. Popular stops range from Sucia Island and Jones Island to Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, with additional highlights like lighthouse hikes, hidden trails, and dock-access towns that combine boating access with easy exploration.
What is there to do in the San Juan Islands?
Where to Find Essential Resources for Travelers and Boaters
All the places listed are accessible by boat, some by vehicle too. Almost every park has easy to lengthy hikes, so follow this link to all the parks All the parks. Below are San Juan area hikes that are not found in parks
Eagle Bluff on Cypress Island (my all-time favorite)
Start this 2-3 hr round trip hike at Pelican Beach. The trail to the bluff is beyond the Smugglers Cove, Duck Lake turn off and is closed until July 15th to protect baby chicks. Keep the pets and children on a leash and back from the cliff edge at the very top.
Afterglow Mausoleum at Roche Harbor
This is a short walk to the mausoleum known for a missing pillar. Begin by walking up the resort road past the chapel. Turn left on the county road and then in a block or so, left again on Afterglow Dr. Watch for signs and trail in woods on the right side.
Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island
Begin this roughly two and a half mile (one way) hike at the dock at either the Prevost or Reid Harbor docks since they share the same isthmus and trailhead. Proceed on trail past sign and lots of stairs up and then down to the cove at the head of Reid Harbor. Wind your way through the kayaker campground and follow the service road, up, up and past the one room school to the intersection with Lighthouse road. Turn left and keep going, you can't get lost now.
To save about two miles of walking, consider starting this hike at the head of Prevost Harbor from the county dock where Lighthouse rd begins. As a bonus, you can ride your bikes from the county dock but be careful walking or riding because the last quarter mile going down the hill to the lighthouse is steep and littered with round rocks. We leave our bikes at the top and walk the last downhill stretch.
What and where are the San Juan Islands' ten best parks?
Let's start by listing my choices in order of best first, first because they have overnight docks, followed by some pros and cons, and a few real-world comments. (Hopefully, I haven't omitted your favorite) Keep in mind, we go to all the parks and don't dislike any but there is no doubt some parks are five-star and some are not, depending on what we are doing or the weather during that particular cruise.
For a more detailed review of the San Juan area marine parks, including maps try this post. marine parks
parks with docks
Jones Island
Matia
Sucia - Fossil Bay
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
1 - Jones Island is my number one choice and here's why
Pros:
bigger but not the biggest dock
protected bay
great dinghy beach with a couple of 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
How do you take your boat from the San Juan Islands to Victoria
Note: this is a very old post I am re-posting so some prices will be off.
Suggested Cruise to Victoria BC with Whale Watching
and San Juan Islands Stop Overs
This article is for first timers to the San Juan Island area and has the answers you may be looking for. Timeless advice to make your first trip a fun success.
places to launch and stay on your boat
distances between stops
customs and immigration
alternate planning
what to expect
basic boating information
Study this map and familiarize yourself with names and places. (Find Victoria, Roche Harbor, Swinomish Channel, Deception Pass)
Lets start this Cruise at Cornet Bay in Deception Pass State Park
(Your going to Canada and back, did you remember to bring your passports and Children ID's? the rules are changing)
Boat launch at Cornet Bay (Deception Pass)
Day one, you arrive at Deception Pass
and its probably late in the day and your tired, so lets plan on spending the night right here on the boat securely tied to the dock at Cornet Bay. You will pay a launch fee and $10/day parking, plus 50 cents a foot for spending night at dock. Pay at the self serve kiosk. If your not sure of when your coming back simply estimate, leave a note explaining, the ranger will understand. The ramp is very good, all tide. The parking is huge, you will not have a problem.
There is a very minimal park store, but you should have done your provisioning in Anacortes.
Heading westward facing an incoming current, (another ten minutes and we wouldn't have the speed to overcome the 7+ mph current)
Day two, leg #1, our destination is Friday Harbor,
but first you must time the pass. You should already be familiar with the tide levels and times at Deception Pass (download a page from any of of dozens of sites including NOAA) so cast off at high or low tide. You can be half an hour early or late, this gives you a one hour window. (it takes just ten minutes to reach the pass from the dock) If you are catching a falling tide (current is going out to sea) you can be very late but standing waves may scare you and the crew as you take a fast sled ride and shoot out into the Strait of Juan De Fuca. If you are late and head out on a rising tide, your boat may not have enough speed to overcome the in rushing torrent, and your stuck until the next slack water. The pass is not a problem, it is narrow with the fastest water for only about 250 feet, but slow sailboats can meet their match every four to six hours.
When you cruise somewhere with no local knowledge, you must bring it with you or make do as best you can. That's how you avoid buying $5 wine for $20, and getting outdated perishables.
Just about all little landings have snack bars and minimally stocked shelves, and I admit I buy lots of stuff from these guys and so should you. If we don't support them with our purchases they will not stay in business. When they are gone, everyone loses.
But, what about the other products that the little guys simply don't have?
These places have major stores with everything we want.
The store is about a one block easy walk. You can walk from the Islander in Fisherman Bay, but its further than I want to carry groceries. You can bicycle from Odlin Park in twenty minutes.
Friday Harbor:
The marina will let you park in a slip or at the breakwater while you walk up to Kings Market. It's about two blocks right on the main street, you cant miss it. This is a big and busy place and so close you can run up from the boat when your cooking breakfast and need eggs.
Eastsound:
It's kind of a long run up East Sound to Eastsound but the store is big and only one block to walk from the county dock. Note: the dock is small, you may not get to park the mother ship and may have to anchor and dinghy over. One time we dragged the dinghy up on to the dock because there was no room in the water, you can also beach the dinghy and climb up a trail. Don't worry, you will get to the store one way or another. BTW - Eastsound has a good assortment of places to eat, yum.
La Conner:
There are three public docks scattered along the city waterfront, all right on main street. (these docks are not at the marina, which is a little longer walk) Once on shore, walk to the left on the main drag to the stop sign and then follow the only main street to the right. Follow this street about one block to the towns grocery store, it's pretty big, keeps long hours and is only two blocks from boat at worst.
The above map shows the five tie up floats at La Conner and the red dot is the grocery store, (no, not the dot marking the boat ramp under the bridge)
Cap Sante
(Anacortes): The store is a full size Safeway and is directly across the street from the marina. Call the harbor master to arrange for a short term shopping slip. If you are transiting Swinomish Channel, its just a small detour into Cap Sante to provision.
Roche Harbor:
Lastly, don't forget Roche Harbor for groceries. The store is right at the top of the marina gangway. You can get a free slip assignment for shopping or anchor out and dinghy over to one of several dinghy docks. You could even walk upstairs while getting fuel. The Roche Harbor store is the smallest of the bunch but is complete and stuffed to the gills.
More Stores:
Yes, but those are the biggies with complete inventories. The smaller stores include Blakely's, Rosario, Deer Harbor, West Beach, Shaw Landing, Orcas Landing, Cornet Bay at Deception Pass, and that's pretty much all of them.
Can you visit the San Juan Islands without a boat, and how do you get around?
Exploring the San Juan Islands doesn't require a
private boat. State ferries connect the four major islands, water taxis act
like on-demand shuttles for remote destinations. They provide direct access to
outer island parks like Patos, Sucia, and Jones. These
"Uber-style" boats land you and your gear at public park docks or
beaches, making the entire area accessible.
Shelter and ADA ramps at Pelican Beach
It’s true. You
don’t need to own or rent a boat to explore and camp in the marine parks of the San
Juan Islands.
Most
visitors enter the islands through Anacortes and follow the ferry routes to the
larger communities. That works well — but it leaves out the smaller islands,
marine parks, and secluded coves that aren’t served by ferry or road.
No Boat?
No Problem.
Water taxi
services and licensed outfitters operate throughout the area. They provide
custom drop-offs and pickups to marine parks and islands that most visitors
never consider.
Call it:
Uber for boaters
A marine shuttle
A scheduled island transfer
Point-to-point boat transport
Your personal chauffeured yacht
The idea is
straightforward. You choose your destination and your dates. They handle the boats.
Single
hikers, groups, families, camping gear, and even kayaks can all be part of the
plan.
Water Taxi at Blakely's
Starting
From Anacortes
Anacortes is
the primary mainland gateway. From there, you can:
Ferry to one of the larger
islands
Arrange a direct water taxi to a
marine park
Meet an outfitter for a guided
or supported trip
When you are
not limited to ferry docks, you open up a new map of possibilities.
Destinations
People Recognize — But Don’t Realize They Can Reach
Many of the
most talked-about places in the San Juans are marine parks without road access.
For example:
Sucia Island Marine State Park –
with Fossil Bay and Echo Bay
Jones Island Marine State Park –
famous for friendly pygmy deer
Matia Island State Park – an
unspoiled rain forest without the rain
Cypress Island – including
Cypress Head campground and Eagle Bluff
Pelican Beach – waterfront camping on the northeast side of Cypress Island
These places
have docks, mooring buoys, campsites, and established trails. They’re well
known among boaters, but less understood by visitors arriving by ferry.
In our travels, we have crossed paths with water taxis at Blakely’s, at Fossil Bay, and
at Pelican Beach. And watched outfitters unload camping gear and transport
organized youth groups, including Boy Scout troops, to overnight sites at Matia,
Jones, and Stuart Islands. We’ve seen them many times — dropping off campers and
returning a few days later to pick them up.
The system
is established. It’s routine. And it works.
Many
outfitters support kayak-based trips. They transport your kayaks or rent them
to you at your starting point and arrange to pick you up days later.
The
logistics are handled in advance, or simply call a water taxi when you need a
ride, leaving you free to focus on hiking, shoreline exploration, and camping.
When
transportation is shared among several people, a water taxi can be a practical,
even economical alternative. You arrange a drop-off and a pickup — nothing more
complicated than that.
For many
visitors, that’s all that’s needed.
No boat
ownership or hassle required.
A
Practical Alternative
Boat
ownership in the San Juans has its rewards, but it isn’t the only path to
exploring the islands. Renting a power or sailboat is another option, though
not always necessary.
The
Bottom Line
The San Juan
Islands are often described as a boater’s destination and paradise. That’s true
— but it’s incomplete.
With water
taxis and experienced outfitters operating throughout the region, marine parks
and secluded coves are accessible to anyone without owning or renting a boat.
No boat.
No problem.
Just plan a destination, a date, and go.
Note: On this website. To keep posts evergreen and relevant, names, prices, and phone numbers are left out.
Where are the marine parks of the San Juan Islands?
Below is the marine parks list, followed by reviews, charts, and pictures.
This is not all the parks, just the ones you may want to make part of your cruising. It's unlikely you can visit all in one trip and still do a decent job of sightseeing. You should plan multiple visits to the San Juans.
Many people choose Jones as their favorite for just hanging out for a few days, so Jones is first. For hiking, Sucia, or Pelican Beach on Cypress Island are the best, but all the parks have hiking trails.
Some parks are in a convenient location when you need to spend the night and you're between destinations, Saddle Bag, Eagle Harbor, and Odlin would fit this description.
Most parks with docks have picnic tables on the floats, which are very handy for extending your living area, socializing, and meeting other boaters.
For marinas/etc. where you can get fuel and provisions
What is a good boating itinerary in South Puget Sound?
A good South Puget Sound boating itinerary is a loop from Olympia’s Swantown Marina, visiting multiple Washington State Parks along the way, with options to extend into Lake Union and Lake Washington. This easy cruise offers protected waters and an easy multi-day route for exploring the region.
Puget Sound is different things to different folks. If you read a few articles or listen to more than one traveler you will likely come away with some overlapping opinions. Lots of people think the San Juans and Puget Sound are the same. They are not.
On your NOAA chart, there is a place labeled Puget Sound, it's offshore from Seattle all the way up to Whidbey Island. Virtually every body of water is named something. Names sometimes include a descriptive hint, such as bay, passage, inlet, cove, strait, and of course sound. Did I miss any besides Canal and Channel? Oh yeah, bank, shoal, flats...
Some of us consider, Puget Sound (as an area) to encompass everything salty, from the Strait of Juan De Fuca south. So this means both sides of Whidbey Island are included, but not the northwest side that faces the San Juans and Vancouver Island, or Anacortes, or Bellingham. I like to think of Bellingham as on Bellingham Bay and Anacortes as up Guemes channel a bit from Rosario Strait. So where does that put Olympia or Friday Harbor?
We started in Olympia, at Swantown Marina, and so should you.
There are numerous ramps scattered around the area, but nothing compares to the Port of Olympia facilities, they have the welcome mat out more than any (boating) city we have ever visited, bar none. I haven't forgotten the praise I lavish on Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, but the entire waterfront at Olympia is boater friendly, which bumps them to the head of my list.
At Swantown, is a two-lane all-tide ramp, open 24/7 with a long-term parking lot for only $3/day. Transient moorage is abundant, both at the ramp and a short walk away, at the old town waterfront. Don't make a mistake and think of Olympia as simply a place to splash the boat and take off from. Plan your trip to include one or more nights or days at the dock, and bring your bikes, you will be glad you did.
Rather than gush over Olympia, let's get going north. On this trip, our turnaround point is Lake Washington. This means we will wander a circuitous course to Seattle, visiting as many Marine State Parks as we can. At Seattle, we will go through the Ballard Locks, through Lake Union (Lake Union is the downtown area you see from the freeway), and into Lake Washington to spend the night anchored at Seward City Park. All total we will visit eleven parks, bike and hike most of them, spend seven nights at docks, one at anchor, and motor about 175 miles. Wow-- when I write the specifics it sounds rushed, but we relaxed the entire time.
Day One: We are in the water and on our way at 5pm, this may seem late to get going, but we only have 8 miles, maybe 16, to our first nights stop.
We ran the 8 miles to Hope Island State Park, but all the buoys were taken so we continued to the dock at Jerrel Cove State Park, another easy 8 miles, and with plenty of daylight, why not?
Sail-boaters should know that we encountered a low 31-foot fixed bridge providing vehicle access to Harstine Island. You can avoid the bridge by taking the long way around Harstine. Jerrel Cove has two docks, and across the way is a private marina with a store and transient space. The park is well kept with onsite rangers, car campers, a mile or two of trails that are rideable, and of course, you can head out onto the island roads and ride to your heart's content. Perhaps I should remind you that, unlike most of the San Juan destinations, all of the places we spent the night are car accessible. This means you can plan a Puget Sound rendezvous with friends or family to re-supply or switch out crew members.
Jerrel Cove at low tide, the ramp is as steep as we have ever seen.
What is a good place to begin a boat trip to the parks of the San Juan Islands?
There are three choices for where to launch:
Cornet Bay in Deception Pass Park
Washington Park in Anacortes
Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham
Matia Island
This post is written to help new cruisers headed to the San Juan's needing the same simple answers we needed.
From time to time, I refresh my thinking and remember our first visit nearly thirty years ago. Specifically, what a pain it was not knowing the simplest answers to questions we take for granted today.
I define the San Juan cruising area not by county or even country, but rather by places we want to visit and spend some time. But that also means, places we have the capability to get to without too much effort or time. So that being stated, I think of Port Townsend and Deception Pass Park (Cornet Bay), and Swinomish Channel as our loosely defined southern boundary. I think of Vancouver BC and Nanaimo as our northern most point, and everything in between Vancouver Island and the mainland completing the east west box. Keep in mind, with a day or two extra, you can run down to Olympia or up to Princess Louisa Inlet.
For this discussion, we are sticking to the
core San Juan Island area and what you need to get there.
You need a boat, but you can rent a sail or powerboat in Anacortes or Bellingham if you prefer, and it doesn't take much experience to qualify.
Size matters? yes and no. Bigger is more comfy, costly and feels imminently safer in a storm. As size goes up, so do your skill requirements. Once past about thirty five feet you will find you don't fit at some docks and fuel burns at over twenty five gallons an hour. Smaller is better at times. Eighteen foot ski and fishing boats or day sailors are very easy to get in and out at virtually all places but with all your food and gear, you could be crowded on board. When packing and provisioning, be honest and admit you don't really need all that stuff you take car camping. Above all, don't let your lack of a perfect boat cause you not to go. Take what you have, you can make it work.
Bring a dinghy, even a two person inflatable kayak is okay. You need a way to get to shore where there are no docks. You don't have to carry the dinghy on board, you can tow it everywhere you go. Yes you can beach your runabout and let the tide leave you dry on a beach but bringing a dinghy is so much easier. (update 2025) Lately we have seen inflatable paddle boards used as dinghys and we have done it ourselves so we know they work.
Sleep on board, at anchor, at the dock, or in the many park campgrounds. (there are about twenty marine campgrounds, you can camp at a different park every night) If preferred, you can spend every night at a marina or resort and sleep on shore.
The best weather will be in July and August, but the shoulder seasons have less people and okay weather too.
I suggest you plan a week, but you can make a weekend work. If you have a comfortable all weather boat, spend the summer.
If you rent, don't forget you have to park your car(s) If you trailer, plan on a daily parking fee of around $12. (Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is free, even long term) Call harbormaster for current rules.
See this posting for launch ramps. ---launch ramps with long term parking This is probably the only real planning decision you need to make before you go, but we have changed our planned take off point as we drove up the highway. Do not start your San Juan cruise down south in Olympia, Seattle or Everett or Port Townsend or Port Angeles. If you do you will spend much of your time motoring long distances (both ways) My advice is to start in Bellingham or Anacortes using one of the ramps from the list above.
You need with you on the boat, a chart, or you will get lost, count on it. You should have a list of parks, marinas and resources preferably marked on your navigation chart. Get this chart. Noaa # 18421 - We use noaa chart # 18421 you can see it by clicking here or anywhere charts are sold. Navigation charts do not show what's on shore, (roads, city's, marinas, parks, etc) so we carry a highway map as well.
Don't run out and buy an expensive chart plotter. At minimum, you need a paper chart, a portable GPS and a compass, your smart phone will probably do. All boats need a depth sounder or you are risking an expensive grounding.
Sample itinerary: #1. Begin at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham (open 24/7).
2. Head for Friday Harbor and get a slip for your first night or every night (they take reservations).
3. Use Friday Harbor as your base, returning every night to your own slip with power, water, restrooms, on shore restaurants and entertainment.
This plan will work for virtually all boaters regardless of gear, experience or creature comfort requirements. None of the Marine State Parks have reserve-able docks or anchor buoys, everything is first come first gets it. This means you should plan on anchoring and using your dinghy, it also means when someone pulls out you may grab the spot at the dock. Rafting is the term used when several boats tie together at anchor or the dock.
Sample itinerary: #2. Begin at Squalicum again but this time head for Matia or Sucia.
Tie up to the dock at Fossil Bay (Sucia) or anchor. Sleep on the boat or camp on shore.
Next, Jump over to Stuart, repeat and then Roche Harbor or Jones, then to Friday Harbor, then Fisherman Bay. This itinerary will make sure you have a shower and food store available (Roche and Friday) when you really need and want both.
Fuel is readily available but you should try to have a minimum range of seventy five miles just to be sure should you encounter adverse conditions.
How many days you spend at each park is up to you, your car and trailer will be waiting in the free parking lot when you circle back to Bellingham.
You can do exactly the same cruise, but begin at Washington Park or Deception Pass (Cornet Bay) and perhaps change the order.
Search this website for other suggested itineraries. The possibilities are endless.
Get my San Juan Islands Cruise Guide, it has all the parks,
marinas, fuel, resources, phone numbers.
The guide is written specifically for visitors coming by boat. The companion book, the San Juan Islands Travel Guide is written for visitors coming by car.
Don't be cheap, the books cost less than a meal and will pay for themselves in saved frustration, making your cruise a real success.
Lastly, I can't address everything you may want or need to know in a single post, so I suggest you search this site and read some more articles. There are several with detailed day by day itineraries. Next, after becoming more knowledgeable about what and where you want to go and do, set aside a week and go. It really is that easy. The central cruising area is small enough that you can completely change your plans on the fly. You don't need reservations, you don't need a plan, you don't even need to bring food, just grab your gear and boat and hit the road. OH - bring some cash or plastic for, fuel and park fees and that food I just said you don't need.
If you happen to see us on Kraken somewhere, please say hello. We hope to be anchored in Fisherman Bay for the Lopez Island 4th of July fireworks show.
Feel free to use the e-mail contact form with your questions
%2Bfor%2Bthe%2BSan%2BJuans-1.JPG "San Juan Islands map or boat ramps")
