San Jauns Camping

[Cutty Sark]

Ok, now that I have finally decided on the boat I want. It's time to start planning. I'm thinking by summertime I should be able to find a CD for sale that fits my needs and budget. So one of the things I have been wanting to do is take a vacation through the San Jauns. Mostly staying at more primative areas, and maybe doing some beach camping, staying at anchor a couple nights etc... Does anyone have suggestions on some different islands to try or any particular books that cover the San Juans really well. Having never been there what kind of crowds can you ecpect in the summer. Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sark

[Jeff and Diane]

Hi! I will share what I know, and that isn't much... But Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island is nice and protected. It has sites on the beach for camping and fires, etc. It fills up pretty fast, so you will need to get reservations pretty soon. There are spots to tie up your boat out in the bay... you will need a dinghy to get to shore, as there is no dock. There are public restrooms/showers etc. at this site. Not too primitive. A really cool place was on Sucia Island. Fossil Bay is where we tied up five boats and hung out on the Island. You can camp there, there are out houses. It is a state park also. They have a dock, but usually taken with boats. You can only get to this island by boat. Check out our photo album on page 5 and 6. It has this Island on it. Actually a lot of pictures in our album are from the San Juans. Blakley Island Marina is really nice. There is another place to camp and tie up to buoys across from Blakley Island Marina. It has only three buoys, I think. Pretty small. I'm sure someone else will see this post and have a lot better input than me. If Catman sees it, he will have good input for you. Have fun It is a beautiful place Check out the events that are planned for July... Blakley Island, May... Fisherman's Bay, Lopez Island. Come and join us We'd love to have you

Diane

[Alyssa Jean]

Crowds WILL be there during the summer. Most of the crowds will want to be at docks and buoys at state parks. However, mostly week-ends. ie Fri/Sat. nights. So. If you can head out on Sunday and want to be "primitive" you will not be competeing with a lot of other boats. I would say that you can do the state parks Sun-Thurs and usually find docks if you want to take the kids ashore for a hike etc without dingying in. . Jones Is., Sucia, Is (Echo and Fossil Bay) Matia Is. There is a nice area on Cypress on the east shore, Eagle Harbor and a little more north Pelican Beach. All buoys, or can anchor. Pelican has nice beach facilities.

James Is. just off the north east side of Decatur Is. has a dock and a couple of buoys. The nice thing about the state parks is that they all have at least toilet facitlities on shore.
Spencer Spit is another State Park off the NE end of Lopez Is. I think.

Get a copy of Waggoners (sic) for the area. Good stuff about what you want to know.

[Pat Anderson]

Sark - all the places mentioned are good, another one that is way cool is Blind Bay State Park - the State Park is on Blind Island, but it is right off the Shaw Island ferry terminal. There are four buoys and four campsites, and a new composting toilet. You need a dinghy (or kayak) to get ashore, no dock. We were just there on a buoy Saturday night.

You really might want to re-think the Angler / Cruiser thing - if you find you like cruising the San Juans as much as we do, you can literally do it all year round with a Cruiser with a Wallas or other heater and a camperback. There are lots of clear sunny days between Labor Day and Memorial Day - and you won't be competing for dock space! Colder than July of course, but just bundle up.

There are a lot of books, but the ONE you absolutely need is Waggoner Cruising Guide (you spelled it right, David). This is THE comprehensive guide for cruising the area between Olympia and Prince Rupert. It starts with South Puget Sound and generally works northward in logically grouped areas, and lists and describes ALL the state and county marine parks, marinas, fuel docks, shore facilities, etc., in a concise manner. It also has a ton of valuable "local knowledge" - for example, how to approach Blind Bay (do not pass west of Blind Island). It is updated every year, and is very well indexed. It has all the info you need to deal with Canadian and US Customs. Waggoners plus the Maptech San Juans Waterproof Chartbook, and you are ready to go - Waggoners has locator maps but the Maptech chartbook is really a jewel.

[KenG]

[Cutty Sark]

Pat,
I am going for the cruiser, got to have that heater. I was out this saturday in my little arima, and it was cold!!! This weekend's trip was what finally made the decision for me. Got to the everett launch at about 5:30 and everthing was frozen including my canvas . I can't trailer with it up so have to put it up when I get there, and I tell you unrolling frozen canvas sucks. Plus putting it up and taking it down so many times for one trip stinks. So that really sold me on a hard top. And then freezing my rear off for a couple hours made me think about the wallas and shiver with envy. I try to fish all winter, and I think the CD 22 cruiser will allow me more days and be good for cruising with the family. The only thing that kept me from totally freezing, was the fact that we got a 14 pound blackmouth to the boat, after a couple of recent trips with only shakers. That got my blood pumping a bit. Thanks for all the info . I think I'll stop by westmarine or somewhere and pick up those cruising guides.

Sark

[Luna C]

We have enjoyed nearly all of the Marine State Parks in the San Juans. Our favorite book has been "Afoot & Afloat in the San Juans" by Marge & Ted Mueller. It is available at West Marine (and others) and our public library. The BC Provincial Parks are great too!

[starcrafttom]

there is a site called north west boating.com that has descriptions and photos of all the state parks http://www.nwboating.com/dest/nav/san_juans