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.
Discover this new feature
Below every post is a satellite view hot link - You may drag image to your area and/or use the plus button to zoom in all the way or click street view when enabled.
++++ ============================= All Posts Below
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.
