How to Navigate the Strong Currents and Dangerous Waves of Deception Pass

   How do you safely navigate Deception Pass currents?  

 Deception Pass can be safely navigated by timing your transit near slack current, four times daily, when fast-moving tides briefly settle. This narrow pass can produce strong currents, whirlpools, and standing waves, especially when the wind opposes the tide. Most boaters wait for calm windows, or simply run through nearby Swinomish channel.

Deception Pass is located in Deception Pass State Park in Washington. It is notorious for strong tidal currents and swirling eddies. It is the starting point for many heading to the San Juan Islands, and the bane of skippers who ignore common knowledge.

The pass can be treacherous for boaters and kayakers. But in reality, other than being a tiny bit narrow, it is not much different than Cattle Pass, Thatcher Pass, or Peavine Pass. Here are some tips for navigating safely.

The safest way to navigate Deception Pass is to go through at slack current.

Looking inbound at what is actually two separate bridges.

You can see the narrow slot of Canoe Pass on the left side, and Deception Pass on the 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 to the area near the bridge. 

 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, with minimal whirlpools, no waves, and yet the boat stalls out under the bridge, with the skipper wishing 

Quick distance chart from where you are to where you want to be in the San Juan Islands

    What are the boating distances between key destinations in the San Juan Islands?   

   Boating distances in the San Juan Islands are shorter than many expect, with most popular destinations 5 to 20 nautical miles apart. For example, Friday Harbor to Roche Harbor is about 10 miles, and Sucia Island is roughly 15–20 miles away from Friday Harbor but fairly close to Squalicum Harbor. This handy chart helps boaters estimate travel time, fuel needs, and daily route planning. 

Every skipper needs to know how far it is from A to B.

      Here's a handy chart with the work already done, the distances are via the shortest route.

                                  First published 7/30/2016   

Note: The shortest route may not be the fastest or best route when currents and other issues are taken into account!
These numbers are approximate, and were derived by simply clicking "measure route" on a chart. Since making this chart I have come across several u-tube videos with distances that don't agree with  mine. Be sure to not rely on others and do your own calculations. 

When you are rushing from place to place, be very careful around unfamiliar surroundings so that you don't get a surprise.  The best advice is to slow down and keep watch.  Follow this link to learn of some shockers.  > Eight nasty surprises

San Juan Islands Cruise Starting at Cornet Bay in Deception Pass State Park

  What is a good boating itinerary from Cornet Bay through Deception Pass to the San Juan Islands  

  A typical San Juan Islands itinerary from Cornet Bay begins by transiting Deception Pass and heading north toward destinations like Friday Harbor, Jones Island, or Sucia Island. Distances are manageable, with many stops within 10–25 miles, allowing flexible daily runs and a mix of parks, harbors, and anchorages. 

This post first appeared on this website in  2011. Parking and launching fees at Cornet Bay have since gone up a little.

       Camping, traveling, vacation rentals, condo's, and resorts on a budget, 

Is it even possible? 

Yes, it is. Inexpensive (cheap) vacations are possible if you "go by boat" or yacht, as some say. The trick is to already own the yacht and then camp on it at all the great places.  Think of it like going to RV parks, only without the garish over-the-top  land schooners parked in the best spots.

            If you are a newbie to the San Juan Islands boating group, you may ask, Why is Deception Pass State Park Your Ideal Starting Point?

The Simple answer is that this Washington park has the best all-weather, all-tide launching ramp and long-term parking lot. Plus,  Deception Pass is one of the places to see that you should not miss, and the Cornet Bay dock is a wonderful place to overnight or just hang out for a few days.

The Google photos above with labels will help you to orient yourself. Because slow boats must time their passage through the pass, you may find yourself spending the night at the dock.  I always plan to spend the first night at the dock because after driving six hours, rigging and launching my sailboat, it's late and I'm tired.  My crew can fish, hike and race around in the dinghy while I take a break.  The next day, I'm ready to go, and cast off at slack tide which may be at noon or 9am.  The time doesn't matter, I'm on vacation time now.

The launch fee is around $6, parking is $10/day and staying at the dock is 50 cents a foot. The ramp has three or four lanes with floats. Trailer parking is abundant and long-term.  You can anchor out for free, anytime, anywhere. There is a fist of quarters shower that short times you in the bathroom.  Lots of locals and campers come down to fish off the floats, but boats tying up have priority. Try explaining that to a fisherman.

It is a very short run out the pass, under the bridge and into the Strait of Juan De Fuca, where high seas or fog may cause you to change your plans, if so, just head the other way to Swinomish Channel.  If you have never cruised the channel before, do it for sure, it only adds about 15 miles to your trip and is well worthwhile.  Or when you come back a week or so later, use the channel, but try to work it into your plans.  FYI, your boat will need to make 10 mph or better to overcome the worst of pass current, otherwise you will have to time it like the rest of us.  Of course with a favorable current you can rush on through, but the standing waves can be pretty big at times and an open bow boat will seem like a poor choice. The pass is narrowest directly under the bridge, so you will have a fast current for only a very short distance.

Dock and ramp at Deception Pass State Park (Cornet Bay)

You should run through Deception Pass for the beauty of it.

  Next door is Canoe Pass.

 And while navigable, Canoe Pass should only be used at slack water, it is very narrow  and sight distance restricted right under the bridge.  It is a little creepy when the whirlpools turn on and begin spinning you towards the rock cliff face.  Sometimes, we take our 9' dinghy with its 7.5 hp motor around Pass Island and wave to the gawkers on the bridge, but when the flood or ebb starts cascading, a tiny little dinghy has no business in either pass.

         When you come back a week or so later and are ready to head home you can wait for slack water outside the pass at the dock in Sharpe Cove or Bowman Bay. 

           I always spend my last night at the dock and get a good rest for the long drive home.

Here's a link to the marine parks locating map  marine parks maps etc. click here

Tall ship ghosting through the pass at high slack water (photo taken from the bridge)

 In 60 minutes standing waves 3-6 feet tall may form and the current will be 5-8 mph

Swinomish Channel is itself a very picturesque not to miss 

part of all great cruises.

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 that Swinomish Channel is just around the corner and avoids the pass altogether.  

Click below for a satellite view of Deception Pass