Cruise suggestions for 4th of July weekend??

D

ddenver

New member
Being a bit of a newbie to boating, any suggestions for a cruise destination for the upcoming 3-day 4th of July weekend?

What do other Puget Sound area brats do for the 4th? Is it a wise weekend to stay home and avoid the huge crowds or would a quick trip up to the San Juans or perhaps towards the South Sound (if it would likely be less crowded) be a good idea.

Where might I consider heading to for the 4th of July weekend? Perhaps a locale where I might see some fireworks - does not have to be too close - would be nice.

I assume marinas will be extremely crowded and the WA. Marine State parks will also be chocker block full.

Anyway, just thought I would seek guidance from those far wiser then myself in boating related matters (that's about everybody!).

Take care and have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend!

Take care,
Dan & Tanya
 
Dan, I have heard that Lopez puts on a nice fireworks display in Fisherman's Bay. Anacortes will be putting on a fireworks display that you can see from Cap Sante. Cap Sante usually always can accommodate transient boaters. If you decide to come here PM me and we can connect.

Warren
 
If you want to stay close and cruise down the canal there is always an awesome 1st class show right in front of Alderbrook Resort.You have the Gates and Nordstrom weekend homes on either side and every year there is a awesome professional show along with $1000's of dollars of private explosions on either shore of the canal.It used to be a secret but no more.Watch out for the the folks who choose to run without lights or at excessive high speeds after the show is over.There are also kayaks out there but most of the smart ones display a strobe or glow stick. There are mooring buoys@ Twanoh State Park and Potlatch State Park but probably not to quiet and little harder to find in the dark.
Have a good 4th,
Paul
 
Anyone down here in SW fla Naples has a pretty good shhow right off the naples pier .Pappion aand I will be right off the Naples dock about 5pm come on down
 
Warren,

Tanks for the tips. Hope you and Lori are both doing well and you are enjoying both of your boats. If we head towards Anacortes we will definitely give you guys a yell.


Paul... nice to hear from another C-Dory owner near the Hood Canal. Tanks for the tips on Alderbrook Resort. We are hoping to put our boat in the water - perhaps at Pleasant Harbor - for a few months PDQ to optimize our boating opportunities during the nice weather. One of the big problems we have run into is a seeming lack of places along the canal that will provide a boat ramp launch and allow us to park truck and trailer there over night. There must be some places but we are not finding them.

Jim... Nice to hear from you. Enjoy the Naples fireworks display!
Not sure where we will windup but afraid it definitely won't be Florida!

Tanks again to all of you for your comments and suggestions.

Have a great 4th of July weekend.

Take care,
Dan & Tanya
 
Dan,

Crabbing and salmon fishing open on 1 July in areas 9 and 10, so that's what we'll be doing. Not sure which fireworks we'll watch. I suppose if we drift around in the right spot we could watch Seattle, Bremerton, and Tacoma all at the same time. :)

If you venture around to the Port Orchard area, give us a shout.
 
The last few 4th's we've gone to Philadelphia. Maybe a bit far for you west coasters, but as the place where it all started, it just seems appropriate.
They do a great fireworks display right next to the Philadelphia Marine Center, where we will stay the 3rd and 4th this year. If anyone is interested, you can make reservations with Barbara at 215-931-1000.
 
For those considering Lopez Island, I just talked with the resort, fireworks are on...they're fully booked and have a 45 boat waiting list. So, its anchor out time and it'll be crowded.
 
Last summer we were in Howe Sound for the 4th and I don't recall it being crowded. In previous years we have been at our cabin on Decatur Island and have found the San Juans to be packed. We are thinking of going up Sunday morning through Tuesday somewhere, perhaps the Gulf Islands. Can anyone comment on what type of crowds to expect in the Gulf Islands? We prefer marine parks and would like to be able to tie up to a dock since we'll be traveling with an 11 week old chocolate lab.

Thanks for the help!
 
Minnow,
Better check with Barbara at the Philadelphia Marine Center she said the fire works were last week. :shock: . I was just inquired about an over night slip at your suggestion. Barbara said the fireworks were last week. I could not believe it. Just an FYI
D.D.
 
In the San Juans official fireworks displays will be at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and Lopez/Fisherman's Bay. Also at Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles.
 
colobear":n9tiimed said:
In the San Juans official fireworks displays will be at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and Lopez/Fisherman's Bay. Also at Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles.
Click to expand...

And Anacortes.

Warren
 
Rick and Shirley on C-Dawg... we hope you guys have a good opening day for crab and salmon. That would be a tasty 4th of July weekend dinner.

Barry and Patti on C-Cakes... tanks for the tips on Lopez's fireworks display. I had also called up there and was told the marinas had been booked months in advance. I guess their 4th of July celebration is quite the event.

I assume most of the large south Sound cities - Tacoma, Olympia, etc. also put on big fireworks displays in addition to the San Juan Island and north sound destinations (Port Townsend, Anacortes, Sequim, P.A.) mentioned by Barry and Warren.

Rick did say he might be able to catch Seattle, Tacoma, and Bremerton's shows simultaneously if they were in the correct spot. That ought to be quite a view.

Tanks all for your comments on the situation.


Take care and be safe,
Dan & Tanya
 
20dauntless,

Expect the Gulf Islands to be busy but not as much as the San Juans. BC marine parks with docks are somewhat rare. Most of their marine parks are pretty undeveloped with shore camping but no docks. Conover Cove on Wallace Island and the park at Montague Harbour are exceptions but are also very popular. Dockspace is at a premium. Some non-park places you might consider with docks include: Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Genoa Bay, Ganges, Telegraph Harbour, Otter Bay, Chemanius, Brentwood Bay, and Sidney. The Gulf Islands are very nice and worth many visits. We have been to each of the sites listed above and have liked them.

Hope this helps.
 
colobear,

Thanks for the help. I was up in Ganges and Montague Harbour last week. Both nice places but I'd like to switch it up some for next week. Does Sidney Spit have a dock? I think I read that it does. I've been to Wallace Island several times, and will probably try to head up there for a night as well.

Thanks again!
 
Yesterday we reserved a slip in the Everett Marina for Friday and Saturday night. There are supposed to be fireworks at Port Gardner and hopefully we'll be able to see them. I've been told they will not be on a barge, but so far I haven't been able to ascertain what the plan is.
 
Sidney Spit does have a dock - we stayed on it. At the time, we were told by an employee there that the dock can be quite the party place on weekends. I would imagine even more so on a holiday weekend.

Here's the dock...

EarlySunE.jpg

The T on the end is reserved for the passenger ferry.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Yes, we've been out there during a weekend and you'd be lucky to get a place on the dock. However, the anchorage is nice with plenty of room and there are usually tons of boats anchored out.

We stayed at Port Sidney Marina during the 4th of July weekend a few years ago and they had plenty of room for us. It is a little pricey but it is a very nice marina, nice clean facilities and the town is fun to explore, especially if you're a big reader. The town is known for its bookstores. Sorry if I'm repeating something you already know.
 
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