Explore the San Juan Islands: Sailing, Boating, Travel, & Relaxing Adventure
Explore the San Juan Islands with expert guides, detailed maps, and comprehensive cruising itineraries. Master the tides and currents to your advantage. Discover the best parks for camping, anchoring, and hiking. Experience the charm of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, then unwind in a tranquil, secluded cove — the perfect getaway.
Set sail on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking San Juan Islands, guided by expert local knowledge, detailed maps, and meticulously crafted boating itineraries. Master the rhythms of tides and currents to glide effortlessly between islands. Pitch your tent in hidden forested parks, drop anchor in pristine bays, and hike trails that lead to sweeping vistas. Wander the bustling charm of Friday Harbor and the elegance of Roche Harbor—then escape it all in a serene, secret cove where the world slips quietly away.
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Current Posts Below Note: The first few posts below are for first timers — New posts are scattered throughout this website — use the search box or look in archives on the left side to find your interests
Planning your first cruise through the San Juan Islands? This guide covers the essential basics—cruising itinerary ideas, marine parks, campgrounds, launch ramps, maps, docks, and anchorages—everything you need to get started with confidence.
If you're new to boating in the San Juans, here are simple answers to the most common questions, all in one place.
Because it is on a trailer does not make it a good idea!
While reading this somewhat abbreviated post, click the links to dig into specific details. Be sure to use the search box to find more of what you need to know.
#1 Where to begin this epic outing?
Launch your boat at one of these places.
Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham,
Washington Park in Anacortes
Cap Sante in Anacortes.
Cornet Bay at Deception Pass Park
One of these four places may offer exactly what you need to get the boat wet. First, if a sling is required, considerCap Sante. They offer light and heavy travel lift slings but no launching ramp. They also offer short or long-term pay trailer parking and an RV park. You definitely will want a reservation for slinging and mast stepping. You may be able to reserve a slip at the transient dock. The costs are not cheap.
Click below for the — fourbest places — to begin your cruise
Planning a boating trip to the San Juan Islands? This post
offers tips and highlights from our printed cruising guide—and here on the
website—with some favorite anchorages, marinas, public
docks, and onshore activities for boaters visiting the 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 cruise.
Missing Column Mausoleum at Roche Harbor
Click below for the — Best Anchorages in the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are a world apart, yet remarkably
accessible. When you're pulling into a harbor aboard your boat or arriving via
a Washington State Ferry, the islands welcome you and offer something for every
explorer. From charming towns and marine
parks to farmers' markets and whale watching,there’s no shortage of
memorable experiences.A San Juan Islands vacation is a true gem and rich
with adventure.
Must-See San Juan Islands Highlights
(and There’s More Waiting)
You’ll find dozens more ideas throughout this website.
Let’s start with a disclaimer—at the helm, you are the captain. No book, guide, app, or article can replace good seamanship and sound judgment. Whether you bring a family cruiser, a daysailer, a kayak, or even a bicycle, the adventure is yours to shape.
Charts, Plotters & Navigation
Conventional wisdom: Buy the biggest, best, and most expensive chart plotter. Reality: While a high-end multifunction plotter is nice, it’s far from necessary. At minimum, a first-time visitor should have a NOAA navigation chart #18421, a compass, and a basic GPS—or even just a smartphone. At some point, you’ll find yourself staring across miles of open water at an unfamiliar shoreline, only to realize you’ve drifted off course. A simple compass and chart will keep you pointed in the right direction, saving time and frustration.
Extra tip: A colorful road map is handy for identifying landmarks—something navigation charts won’t show.
Currents & Tides
Newcomer’s fear: Treacherous 15-knot currents, whirlpools, and impassable passages. Reality: While strong currents do exist, they’re entirely manageable with a little planning—just like avoiding rush hour traffic. Most horror stories come from winter storms, poor seamanship, or bad decision-making.
During the summer cruising season, inner-island currents rarely exceed 1.5 knots, and in the straits, 2.5 knots. Understanding the tides makes all the difference.
Here’s what you need to know:
Currents are always moving. There’s rarely a moment of slack water, except for brief pauses at tide changes every six hours.
Fast boats can ignore currents, but slower boats must work with them. A sailboat doing 4.5 knots against a 2.5-knot current is effectively crawling along at 2 knots. But ride with the same current, and you’re cruising at 7 knots. Plan wisely, and a 10-mile passage could take 90 minutes instead of five hours.
Narrow Passes funnel water, increasing flow speed only within the pass. Smart sailors time their arrival at passes so the water pushes them in the right direction, rather than fighting the tide.
Current forecasting books and programs are available, but a simple tide forecast and a chart will do the trick.
As a rule of thumb:
A flood tide (incoming) generally flows north.
An ebb tide (outgoing) generally flows south.
With just a tide table, a clock, and a chart, you can plan your day—maybe delaying departure until 11 a.m. for a favorable current or setting out early at 7 a.m. to get ahead of the tide, is all you need to do.
Tip: You don't need an annual book. Simply go online and print a page or two of the tides forecast during your voyage.
This may seem like an almost useless bit of knowledge to visitors on a boat, but there are a few dog parks within walking distance at these ports.
Friday Harbor:
Eddie & Friends Dog Park is located on Mullis Street near the airport. It's about a one-mile walk.
Roche Harbor:
Another option on San Juan Island is Pup Town Dog Park, located at Roche Harbor
Eastsound:
This off-leash area in Buck Park is a one mile walk from the county dock.
Lopez Village:
Unfortunately, Lopez Island does not at this time have a designated dog park or an off leash area, however, there are several suitable leash areas with easy cruiser access.
The Spit preserve is adjacent to the entrance of Fisherman Bay and requires a dinghy.
Lopez Village Park has restrooms and large lawn areas. There is no dock access but you may come ashore by dinghy Dinghy access to the village
Odlin County Park has a dock and large grassy play fields.
There are several other areas where dogs are welcome but not any we want to walk to. Of course, all the parks except Matia Islands (trails) welcome pets on a leash.
Click below to see the Spit Preserve on Fisherman Bay
Naming anything as the best is a trifle subjective, and calling the San Juan Islands as only the islands of San Juan County excludes much of our cruising area.
In fact simply getting your boat to the San Juans requires beginning the journey in Whatcom, or King or Island, or even Swinomish County. The San Juan ferry terminal is in Skagit County. So cruising the San Juans is not really limited to one teeny group of islands.
That brings us to the best hike in the San Juans, actually being on Cypress Island
This sign is among a group located on the Eagle Bluff trail
If you’re seeking a truly unforgettable hiking experience near the San Juan Islands, the Eagle Bluff trail on Cypress Island should be at the top of your list.
Though it’s technically just outside San Juan County, this trail offers jaw-dropping views and a peaceful escape that rivals any hike in the archipelago.
Getting There
The Eagle Bluff Trail begins at Pelican Beach, accessible only by boat, making it a special adventure from the start. Whether you’re arriving by kayak, private boat, or water taxi, the journey adds to the excitement of this secluded trail. .Pelican Beach on Cypress Island
The Hike
This moderately easy hike is about 2 hours round-trip, perfect for a half-day outing. Along the trail, you’ll be treated to sweeping vistas of Rosario Strait, Orcas Island, and on clear days, views all the way to Deception Pass. Most of the San Juan Islands are visible from the bluff, offering a panoramic backdrop that’s perfect for photos or just soaking in the natural beauty.
Important Note: Trail Closure
Due to nesting eagles, the trail is closed until July 15 each year. This closure helps protect the local wildlife and preserves the serene environment that makes Eagle Bluff so special. Plan your visit accordingly!
Land Management
Eagle Bluff and the surrounding area are managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which maintains the trail and protects this pristine landscape.
Popular Parks, Cities and Destinations With Distance Mileage Chart
Use the chart below the map to find the approximate distance between points. Sea miles were calculated by plotting the most direct route. Tides and currents may dictate following a different route.
"Where are the best places to go and best things to do in the San Juan's?"
Talk to ten San Juan Islands cruisers and you will get ten different answers to the question, Each will be correct, or mostly correct. To support their answers, they will offer first-hand exciting personal experiences. That is why you must gather the best information, inject your wants and quirks, and then chart your own course to the San Juan's. Our experiences and local
knowledge have been earned the old-fashioned way – one cruise at a time. Sailing,
hiking, biking and gunkholing, all while immersed in nature have been our
reward. This website is a compilation of our
travels in five sailboats and two trawlers spanning three decades. Along the way we published a cruising
guide, “San Juan Islands Cruise Guide,” followed later with a Land and Sea Guidebook,“San Juan Islands Travel Guide.” My goal
for this website and these books is to help boaters, travelers, sailors, and families
enjoy the good times we have enjoyed for many years. What is the best five-day itinerary? That's like asking what's the best color. But there are certain things that our experience and local knowledge will help with. Sometimes, one just needs a little push in the right direction to get on the right tack, so to speak. It is impossible in an essay or article to cover everything important to everybody or all the possible places to go. However, this website does cover every state park, every county park, every public dock, and much much more. You will find many links to pictures and specific posts, all composed for San Juan Island boaters. Be sure, while reading to click the links and follow your interests. Be sure to use the search box at the top of this page on the left side.
You're invited!
To help you muddle through this dilemma and provide some interesting reading, please come along with us on our summer cruise in the San Juan Islands. Of course, you will be taking your own boat since ours is full.
Today, we use our laptop as a chart plotter. The program was free online Free chart plotter software but I had to buy a USB antenna for $19.95. You can get by with a small handheld GPS or even your cell phone but I enjoy the big screen. I don't want you to get lost if we get separated, or your battery is dead, so you should pick up a paper chart and a compass. chart #18421 I carry a colorful roadmap with us as well.
Let's get on the same page and assume this is your first boat trip to the San Juan's, and you are in a trailerable sailboat with a 5-6 mph speed. There are five or six starting points we have used but only three are preferred. They are Cornet Bay in Deception Pass, Cap Sante in Anacortes or Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham. If you have a fast powerboat or are coming up from the Seattle direction you will want to make time and distance adjustments. We will plan to sleep on board but use bathrooms on shore. Okay, let's go. ----- We have narrowed it down to about twenty parks to choose from for the first night, and that's not counting the marinas at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, or Rosario. Not to worry, I have a plan >>> all the parks and then some
Sometimes when we plan a vacation trip to the San Juan's, we try to make a great circle route because it saves time and resources. But this time we're going to decide where we go, as we go. We will see how that non-plan works out. Certain people on the boat have expressed a desire for hot showers, I guess we will see how that works out too. Since we may travel all the way across the San Juan's and back, your boat will need a minimum 75-mile range. Fuel is readily available everywhere but smart skippers figure one-third of the miles out, one-third back, and a third as a cushion. If your fuel tank is a little small you can tie a five-gallon can on deck. Knowing you have reserve fuel will ease anxious thoughts and ensure you have a great visit. Shall we also assume that you have a seaworthy vessel with all safety gear? If not, correct it before we head out, or stay home.Life jackets for all
Plan as we go itinerary:
Cornet Bay Launch Ramps
Let's begin at Cornet Bay in Deception Pass Park.
However, after reading this post, I suggest that you search this website and check out the other launch locations. Some may fit your plans better.launch pointsAlso, search the other parks and marinas and things to do. It is easy to overlook a great place or mini adventure that will make your cruise the best of all. I chose to launch at Cornet Bay this time because I really enjoy the pass scenery. The dock and the long-term parking are ideal. Plus being able to take off or return from both directions 24/7 opens up even more possibilities when not having a firm plan. If I was heading for the Sucia, Patos or Matia Island area first off, I may have chosen Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham but where we end the cruise may dictate where to begin.
How about on the boat or camping on shore? Okay, that was easy, what about cooking on your propane fire pit? Hot dogs and marshmallows don't count.
Tossing stir fry in wok.
I am certainly not a cook, chef, or even someone who barbecues but I have become completely sold on woks and open flames. About five years ago while camping, one of our group said, "Shall we stir fry dinner?" He then pulled out a round wok and inserted a three-foot-long broken-off shovel handle into the wok's hollow metal handle. Using a paper towel he wiped off the inside, squirted in some canola oil, and held it in the campfire flames. Out of the cooler came baggies full of chopped veggies, fish, and chicken. The wok was smoking hot by the time we had paper plates organized. I still remember the sizzle as the first of the chicken went in. A minute later chopped carrots, chestnuts, mushrooms, sprouts, noodles, etc, etc. He cooked one large plate at a time almost as fast as we could load them up. It was very, very good and really hit the spot considering it was early spring and we were all freezing and trying to stay warm.
When I got home from the trip, the first thing I did was find myself a wok at an Asian cookery store. I chose a 14" thin, lightweight wok with a hollow metal handle, $13.99. Five minutes with an angle grinder and my old broken handle slid neatly (jammed) into the wok's handle. I couldn't wait to go camping and stir-fry something.
That summer the drought continued and open fires were banned once again so our fire consisted of our propane fire pit. Of course, I had to try the wok and it worked. In fact, it works better with the fire pit than the open campfire because the flame height is easily adjusted. Plus the open fire tends to smoke and burn the chef. I made two modifications, greatly improving the system. I bought a three-legged folding stand that is ten inches high. The stand is for campfires but fits in my fire pit perfectly. I also found three scraps of stainless sheet flashing about 6 x 8 inches that I lean against the stand to act as a chimney and wind stopper. Before I used the wind stopper, the flames lazily blew around, afterward they concentrated under the wok getting much hotter, much faster.
That's it, I stir fry, make popcorn, and cook in the cockpit, or on the dock, or in camp. I plan to make another, shorter handle before our next boat trip. Overall the wok and handle is about four feet, and our cock pit is about four feet so I am banging into things and people. I think about two feet overall should do it. The wok gets sooty and smudgy so I keep everything in a drawstring bag I made out of old dirty sailcloth.
To take this picture I had to set the wok down so the potstickers immediately began burning.
The foil is extra wide and is loosely attached with four little spring clips. Foil burns easily so it
doesn't last forever unless you are careful with flames. I wait until I hear the first couple of pops and then lift the wok up about a foot above the flames shaking continuously.
Unlike the store-bought ##ffy pop version, I get excellent results in a couple minutes, see the stand and the flame deflectors leaning against it?
When we cook meals, I do two portions at a time, the wok size easily handles four but tossing is heavy and challenging. In the boat, or with large portions, I use wood spatulas to avoid making a mess.
Sizzling stir fry is on the menu in Krakens cockpit while anchored in Fisherman Bay.
See my new short handle, actually, it's an old broken shovel handle.
I clean up with soap and water and scour with salt. Reheat a little to dry and then lightly re-oil. Or if it looks okay, I just oil it inside and out and put it back in the sack.
I need to update my boat camping list to include the wok. Here is a link to that list.
Deception Pass is located in Deception Pass State Park in Washington. It is notorious for strong tidal currents and swirling eddies and is the starting point for many going to the San Juan Islands
The pass can be treacherous for boaters and kayakers. But in reality, it is not much different than Cattle Pass, Thatcher Pass or Peavine Pass. Here are some tips for navigating safely.
Looking inbound at what actually is two separate bridges.
You can see narrow slot of Canoe Pass on left side, Deception Pass on right side.
First, let's understand that in the San Juans, Puget Sound, Gulf Islands, pretty much everywhere, there are nasty places where you can get into trouble if you are prone to doing stupid things. Driving into a storm or wild surf with breaking waves is a mistake for most of us regardless of our boat or skill level.
That being said, the rising/falling tides cause currents. Large tide ranges usually mean faster currents. Narrow passes or jutting headlands tend to intensify things. Add to that, strong winds and storms and you get places to avoid on your vacation cruise.
Deception Pass is very narrow, but only narrow for a short section directly under the bridge. Consequently, the high current speed and accompanying swirlies and waves are confined.
As you approach the bridge you notice your speed or lack of it, rapidly changing making you acutely aware of your boat's top speed. Most sailboats don't have the top speed needed to overcome normal pass conditions on a calm summer day. The water may be mostly flat, whirlpools minimal, no waves, and yet the boat stalls out under the bridge with the skipper wishing
These are special places to go and great things to do that our years of cruising in the San Juans have rewarded us with.
Friday Harbor - Turtleback Mountain - Jones Island - Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor - Youngs Hill - Turn Point Lighthouse - China Caves - Matia Island Rain Forest Trail - Patos Island Lighthouse Tour - Inati Bay & Lummi Island Campground - Vendovi Island Preserve - Eagle Bluff On Cypress - Fort Whitman On Goat Island - Rosario Beach & The Maiden of Deception Pass - Victoria & Butchart Gardens
Some of the very best places are walks or hikes that are off the beaten path and seldom visited. I have listed them in somewhat of a great circle to help you stay oriented, but you will not be able to visit all of them in one day. I suggest that you mark them on a paper map or chart for later reference.
Check out these places too. Not really must see places but still wonderful exploring and gunkholing places.little coves and back doors
My regular anchoring hole at Fisherman Bay is off to the side at the second turn of the entrance channel. I like to anchor there because it is a short dinghy run out to the public beach access for Lopez Village and is in a semi-wind shadow due to the small bluff on shore.
I am truly embarrassed to tell my part in this mini-story because I know better and still did everything wrong.
We arrived late in the afternoon after exploring Watmough Bay and the southern tip of Lopez.
It was close to low tide and the depth sounder where I lowered the anchor was reading eight feet. I let out all my chain rode (30') and cleated off in the first foot or two of nylon. Then I momentarily slipped Kraken into reverse for a few seconds until she began to pull some. The bow swung around and I am sure the anchor set because we came to an abrupt stop. We settled in, cooked stir-fry for dinner and watched movies.
During the night the tide came in and was back out in the morning.
We took the dinghy to the village. It was a minus tide and we had a terrible time pulling/dragging
the Livingston up over all the newly exposed slippery seaweed but we got it all the way to the driftwood and tied her to a big rock. We had a late lunch and stayed in Lopez village longer than planned. When we arrived back at the dinghy, water was lapping at the driftwood and she was half floating but still tied to the rock.
There was no struggle this time we simply shoved off and headed for Kraken except Kraken was not where I left her. Before panic could set in I spotted her several hundred feet further into Fisherman Bay, neatly tied to an old wood float. As we dinghied the last few feet I connected all the dots and realized how lucky I was. I had printed the week's tide tables, but never looked at them. If I had I would have known there were king tides and minus tides all that week. I would have known there was nearly a fourteen-foot tide range that day. kraken had simply floated her anchor and away she went.
After getting everything shipshape, I cast off from our new temporary home and motored over to a lady on a nearby anchored boat and asked if she had caught Kraken. She said yes she had. I thanked her profusely and as I did I thought to myself, was I just dumb and lucky, or was I spending credits I had paid forward.
Click below to see a satellite view of Fisherman Bay Spit Preserve
Planning Your San Juan Islands Cruise: Two Simple Steps to an Unforgettable Trip
Many
moons and several magnificent sunsets had passed when I finally embarked on the
grand adventure of planning a summer trip to the enchanting San Juan Islands.
However, fate had a different plan in store for me. Due to circumstances, we
found ourselves without a vessel.
We were at Yellowstone National Park, gazing
at the late spring snow. Time was slipping away, and our planned departure
date to the San Juans was fast approaching, yet we were still boatless. A
thousand miles away from home in a campground full of bears, I resorted to
browsing Craigslist on my laptop while clutching my cell phone in hand. It was
then that I stumbled upon a boat for sale posting that caught my attention.
To
my surprise, the boat in question was of the type I had previously owned. The
price was right, and a surge of confidence swept over me. I made a daring
decision to promise to buy it sight unseen upon our return in two weeks.
However, there was a hitch. The seller had just embarked on their own vacation
and would not be back for another three weeks. Oh, dear! That meant they would
only be back a week before our planned departure for the San Juans. Time seemed
to be playing a cruel game with our hopes.
Fast
forward three weeks later, and I found myself standing at the seller's
doorstep, armed with cash and eager to drive away with our trusted vessel for
the San Juan Islands. Back at home with our new boat and trailer, time was
short, and I could only manage a few essential tasks.
I diligently checked and
greased the bearings, stepped and unstepped the mast, and on the eve of our
departure, I hurriedly took her for a test run in the river to gauge the
motor's performance.
As fate would have it, the 7.5 Honda motor ran smoothly
for ten minutes before suddenly quitting. I drifted back towards the ramp in semi-darkness.
Moments before hauling her out, I tried the motor once more, and lo and behold,
it roared back to life. Quite perplexing, indeed.
Undeterred
by this glitch, we embarked on our journey to Anacortes the following day. Upon
launching at Twin Bridges on the Swinomish Channel, the motor graced us with
its smooth-running presence just long enough to steer us away from the dock and
set a course for Padilla Bay before surrendering once more.
Still undeterred,
we continued our voyage under sail, finally anchoring at Pelican Beach on
Cypress Island.
There, we reveled in the joys of a magnificent beach fire
before retiring for the night. Throughout the evening, my mind couldn't help
but wonder if the motor would start the next morning and if the capricious
currents and winds would carry us to our next destination at Matia or Sucia.
But
enough of my ramblings. We spent a glorious week in the San Juan Islands, and
to our relief, the motor never faltered again. It proved to be a reliable
workhorse that faithfully served us on several more boating expeditions in the
years to come. The initial mystery of its temporary failure remained unresolved.
As soon as we returned home, with plenty of summer still ahead, I wasted no
time in placing a Craigslist ad to sell the boat. I recouped my entire
investment, and as a bonus, I held onto the now trusty Honda outboard for many
years afterward.
Reflecting
upon this adventure, it became evident to me that setting a firm departure date
was the catalyst that made the trip possible.
Of course, we took a gamble with
an unknown boat, motor, and rigging. However, I had the foresight to equip ourselves
with basic essential gear: PFD’s, a bucket, a portable GPS, a handheld radio, a
cell phone, and a paper chart. I had done my homework and discovered that the
boat ramp offered long-term parking for a modest fee of $8 per day. With all
the pieces falling into place, we made our dream of another San Juan vacation cruise
a reality.
So, the best advice to all the dreamers longing for a San Juan vacation cruise is simple
yet crucial:
#1 Mark your calendar this instant with your departure date.
#2 Purchase a San Juan Islands paper chart or just a map and
proudly display it on a wall where you will see it every day.
Rest assured, with these two actions as your guiding stars, everything else will naturally fall into place. You'll see your San Juan dreams materialize right before your eyes.
We all know asking "What's the best dinghy" is a loaded question;
boaters can be passionate when it comes to equipment choices. Based on my own frugal, sailing/boating should be affordable philosophy "The best dinghy is the one you already own." Whoa now, lets start listing exceptions. I don't mean too small, too big, leaky, unsafe, etc. etc. I mean a basic dinghy, that only has to float you and your stuff to shore.
In keeping with this blogs purpose to help first timers get to the San Juans, lets talk reality.
Here are ten or more irrefutable truths about dinghies.
You must have a dinghy to go ashore at most parks because you can't count on there being room at the dock. Many docks have room for only four boats. Many parks have no dock.
You don't need a dinghy if you only go to resorts and marinas.
You will probably tow your dinghy everywhere you go.
You may not use it at all (it at makes you wish you left it home).
If you need it you will be thankful you brought it with you.
There is no place you will go that you can't drag your dinghy along.
Dinghies may be major status symbols among some groups.
Towing a dinghy slows you down and uses fuel
You may run over your tow line and foul your prop or rudder (use a floating tow line).
Certain people have a hard time climbing into or out of a dinghy alongside their boat.
Children need a dinghy.
Okay, that list is far from complete but it highlights some points. Yes, you need a dinghy, even if you can beach your boat, there are simply too many limitations and problems with beaching your water-borne camper. Let's say for example you rush to shore to use the bathroom at one of the great State Parks. In the ten minutes you're ashore, a falling tide could leave you high and dry. With a dinghy, you simply pick it up and carry it back to the water. You need a two or three-person dinghy, a one-person craft can't ferry others to shore. When using dinghies, a multi-hull catamaran style such as a Livingston is very stable, rows well, beaches easily, and can carry big cargoes, however, when towed they track to one side, hunt back and forth, forcing you to keep them on a very short leash. A conventional V hull dinghy is tipsy crawling over the bow on the beach, carries less cargo, but rows very nice and will tow directly behind you on a long or short leash. Inflatables can carry enormous loads, some (not all) row poorly, and some create so much drag they are almost impossible to tow. Just about all dinghies can be outfitted with an outboard motor, but you really don't need one for simple cruising in the San Juan Islands unless you plan on doing miles of shoreline exploring.
In the summer season, you probably won't see any big dinghy capsizing waves, but storms and adverse winds can churn up anywhere anytime.
My dinghy floats when swamped, but not with the outboard, with the outboard bolted to the transom it's straight to the bottom or at least as far down as my tow line is long. Inflatables may be swamped without damage or sinking, which is something to think about if your main boat is not up to the challenge, and could itself be sunk somehow.
Our Livingston dinghy is nine feet long and a tad bit overloaded
This inflatable was $69 and holds two people
This inflatable stows on deck, or deflated stows below and carries three people.
How about two dinghies?
If you have children that take off with the dinghy, they are effectively leaving you stranded on the boat or ashore.
Well, that's not going to happen you may say. I say, "What if they get hurt ashore and call you on the phone or radio for help? What do you do? What if they take off in the dinghy and it gets dark, what do you do? (swim)"
Several years past I sent my bored and restless son (in the dinghy) to shore at dusk, telling him to invite himself to one of the many campfires we could see from the boat. He met some other boaters with kids and before you know it it was after 10:00 pm and very dark. His mother and I started to wonder what to do as we were stranded and had no way to communicate with him. After a few minutes, I took a strong flashlight and blinked it into the darkness in the direction we thought he was last seen. A short while later he appeared at our transom asking if we wanted him or something. This little non-event made me realize how handy a second dinghy would be, so we bought an inflatable kayak to stow below, just in case.
update on converting the 9' Livingston dinghy to sailing
>> go to the do-it-yourself page and scroll way way way down to see the finished conversion << The dinghy conversion section is before the Bimini top on the cheap instructions and after the Boat acronyms if that helps you find it.
another dinghy update. Last winter I plunked down about a grand in boat bucks and bought a new inflatable.
My criteria were as follows.
First, it must be light enough for me to muscle it around onto and off of the cabin roof by myself. It must have two seats. I must be able to inflate and deflate it on the boat. I bought a 9.5-foot boat with aluminum seats, a plywood transom, and a high-pressure inflatable floor. Without seats, oars, or pumps, the rolled-up package is about 4 feet long, 1.5 feet in diameter, and weighs in at 73 pounds.
Standing on the cabin roof, I was able to fully inflate the new boat and slide it into the water. Dragging it back up was much more work, even with the two of us. Then we drove around for three days with the inflated boat on the roof. All in all I like the new boat and am happy with my choice.
Testing complete, we deflated our new dinghy, rolled it up, and headed for the San Juans.
At the last minute before heading up the freeway, I put the Livingston back on its swim step snap davits. I know my plan was to replace the Livingston with something more seaworthy but I decided to bring the new and the old anyway.
In the San Juans, we never inflated the new dinghy and used the Livingston as usual. Now the new inflatable is sitting collecting dust in my boat shed. I used it once for one hour. I still have high hopes to somehow justify my purchase. I hope mice and squirrels don't chew on it in the meantime.
Click below to see a satellite view of James Island
Embarking on any adventure begins with making a firm decision to go and setting the date. Follow these easy steps for the boat trip of a lifetime.
Washington Park ramp
1.Setting
the Perfect Date:
Choosing the right time for your trip requires careful
consideration. We have traveled throughout the San Juans from early spring to
late fall, and each month offers a unique experience. July and August offer the
best weather and blooming flowers but also attract the most visitors. May and
June may bring cooler and wetter days, but they also offer excellent sailing
winds and the chance to see newborn fawns. September and October may bring
foggy days, especially near Deception Pass and the Strait of Juan De Fuca, but
you might be rewarded with fewer crowds and wonderful weather. Keep in mind
that early spring and late fall may find some businesses and parks closed or
partially operational. It's essential to make inquiries to ensure it doesn't
affect your plans.
2.Where
to Start:
The answer to this question varies for each boater, but there are a
few common options. If you're coming by boat from Seattle or the Puget Sound
area, you'll need to go around Whidbey Island through either Admiralty Inlet
and Port Townsend or Deception Pass. Many skippers prefer Deception Pass due to
calmer waters and no commercial shipping. The Deception Pass route also allows
for a visit to Cornet Bay or a detour through Swinomish Channel to explore La
Conner and Anacortes. Although Port Townsend is an option. Personally, I
recommend choosing La Conner or Cornet Bay.
3.Trailering
Boat Arrival Options:
Most boaters arrive with their boats on trailers. To find
suitable ramps for launching, you can refer to this comprehensive list: (http://www.sailingthesanjuans.com/p/taking-your-boat-for-camping-vacation.html).
However, only three ramps are typically preferred: Squalicum Harbor in
Bellingham, Cornet Bay at Deception Pass Park, and Washington Park in
Anacortes. Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes offers a travel lift hoist but no
ramp. Washington Park is the closest to the San Juans and allows for a quick
start, but parking may be limited during peak times. Parking at Cornet Bay and
Squalicum Harbor is always readily available. We have utilized all three ramps
multiple times, and our choice depends on our destination and who accompanies
us. Sometimes, dropping off children at Washington Park is convenient if they
need to return home early. Personally, I enjoy the Deception Pass area, so if
our agenda is clear, Cornet Bay is our preferred choice. Note: I do not
recommend taking a ferry to the islands with plans to launch at any of the
county ramps. The ramps are inferior, and most don't allow overnight parking.
An exception may be small skiffs or kayakers.
4.Rest
After Travel:
If you've traveled a long distance and then rigged and splashed
the boat, chances are you are exhausted, and it is getting late. It's advisable
to spend the first night at a nearby dock or location. Both Cornet Bay and
Squalicum Harbor offer transient docks next to the launch ramps. Note that
Washington Park only offers a launch dock and is not suitable for overnight
stays. Anchoring out front in exposed Guemes Channel, while very doable, will
not be much fun due to the many wakes. Nearby welcoming places like James's
Island, Cypress Head, or Saddlebag Island, located about four miles away, offer
great options depending on your route. Keep in mind that anchoring requires a
dinghy to reach the shore. Alternatively, last summer, we tried inflatable
paddleboards instead of a dinghy, but their usefulness as a full-time dinghy
substitute is still uncertain.
5.Planning
Your Itinerary:
Your itinerary doesn't have to be rigid, with specific stops
for each minute or day. It's more enjoyable to have a rough idea and a list of
preferred stops. For example, you might want to have a late lunch and buy ice
and groceries at Friday Harbor, but you can do the same at Lopez Village, Roche
Harbor, or Eastsound. Consider visiting stores when your ice melts on day two
or three and take the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower. Most villages and
marinas offer groceries, fuel, and shower facilities. Don't worry about being
turned away as ample anchorage is available throughout the islands. Consider
saving fuel and time by following a great circle route and avoiding
backtracking. Visit the outer points early while you still have ice and snacks,
and then recharge in the villages. Allowing seven days for your trip is ideal,
as anything less might feel rushed, while more time will be well spent.
6.Additional
Excursions:
Don't miss out on Butchart Gardens and Victoria; both can be
day-only overnight additions to your San Juan Islands trip. While
reservations aren't necessary, make sure to carry your passports for re-entry
into the US.
7.Easy Five Island - Ten Stopover Itinerary:
Day 1: Launch at Cornet Bay in Deception Pass Park, spend the night at the transient dock.
Day 2: Run to Jones Island, spend the night at anchor or dock.
Day 3: Run to English Camp, hike up Young Hill, have lunch at Roche Harbor, and return to Jones.
Day 4: Run to Friday Harbor, have lunch and showers, buy groceries, and return to Jones.
Day 5: Run to Stuart, hike to the lighthouse, and dock or anchor for the night.
Day 6: Run to Sucia, anchor or dock for the night in Fossil Bay, and hike to China Caves and Ewing Cove.
Day 7: Swing by Pelican Beach On Cypress and/or Saddlebag Island for a short hike.
Then run through Swinomish Channel, have lunch at La Conner, and arrive in time for a beautiful Sunset back at Deception Pass, spend the last night at the Cornet Bay dock.
By
following these guidelines, you'll be well-prepared to embark on an
unforgettable boat trip through the stunning San Juan Islands. Enjoy the
breathtaking beauty and create lasting memories. Most of all, you will
have fun.
If you really want to take advantage of tides and currents, consider this guide
