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 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
Cons:- crowds sometimes
- long ways back to the mainland
- open to north wind
- no bicycle trails
2 - Matia Island never disappoints us.
Pros:- 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
click here for the rest
