Cruising Puget Sound?

C

Casey

New member
Just considering some possibilities....

We were looking at some charts of the PNW, and while we thoroughly enjoy the Annacortes-to-Cape Caution region, I realized that we have never even been south of Port Angeles or explored Puget Sound.

Most cruising discussions seem focussed on areas north of Annacortes, and very little on Puget Sound. Why is that?

For those who've spent time there, please share some insights!

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Not that far south of Anacortes, but we really enjoyed staying in LaConner on our boat. The docks were very convenient to base out of and explore the little town on foot, as well as take short trips via boat into the Puget sound or north into SE area of the san juans to check our crab traps etc.

If you get really far south, towards Olympia, we used to really like to hang out on the east side of Squaxin island. Its very protected water in there, lots of little coves to anchor up and enjoy the scenery.
 
By no means am I an authority on this topic. We spent about 6 weeks in the northwest. Started in Bellingham went north to Desolation Sound. I thought the trip into the San Juan and Gulf Islands had much more to see and was pretty protected with many places to stop and relatively close together. Crossing the Strait of Georgia was big water for us. We traveled as far south as Seattle but seem to encounter more commercial boat traffic. I think there are plenty of spots we would have liked visit. Tacoma, Olympia, etc. It seemed like larger stretches of open water in Puget sound and the scenery was better the farther north you went. That's just me.
D.D.
 
Casey,

There have been numerous discussions on cruising in the area before. Typically in response to a "I want to cruise near Seattle" inquiry. La Connor (already mentioned) is a favorite and has been the site of previous CBGT's.

Farther south, the Port of Everett is worth a visit and is a good launching point for those looking to trailer in and cruise. It's the largest launch facility in the area with 14 ramps and plenty of trailer parking. Long term parking is available and the lot is patrolled. The marina is quite nice and sports a local brewery near the East end and several restaurants near the W end.

Around the bottom of Whidbey Island and across the way is Port Ludlow. Port Ludlow is a lovely quiet port that serves as the entrance to the Hood Canal. It has a very nice hotel if one is looking for a spot to sleep off the boat. It also has a couple of good restaurants.

Farther south in the Hood Canal is Brinnon. There's another nice, small marina there that is extremely well protected. There's a pool and a hot tub at the marina and good pizza is available there. A small store provides the basics. That's as far south down the Hood Canal as I've explored.

Back around the other side of the Kitsap Peninsula, Kingston is another great little stop. They have a nice market on Sat. AM just at the N end of the marina and there's plenty of restaurants and bars within easy walking distance.

From Kingston, you can slide SW through Agate pass and then WNW to hit the port of Poulsbo. There's a cute little science museum, a couple of galleries and several restaurants within walking distance of the marina in Poulsbo. If I recall, JJ's has good fish and chips.

Back around the east side of Bainbridge Island is Eagle Harbor. There's a ton of good restaurants and bars within walking distance of the marina and there's a good grocery store about 1 block away also. It's a good place to stock the kitchen. There's even a couple of wine bars and a winery tasting room on the main street there. Many cute shops are available on the main street also for those who like to shop.

Across the way to the east is Seattle. There are several possible marinas to stay in near Seattle but for me, Bell Harbor is the best placed. From Bell Harbor marina, you can easily get anyplace downtown. Take a cab or bus to see a ball game in the summer, explore the Pike Street market, visit a museum etc. It's all available and the local bars and restaurants are excellent.

A little to the S of Whidbey is Blake Island State Marine park, a favorite stop for many brats. There's not a ton of dock space, but there's often plenty of space in the off season. Tillicum Village is right there. They celebrate NW Native American culture and provide good dinners during the tourist season.

Farther S and around the tip of Maury Island and then back N is Dockton county park. There's a bare bones dock available for moorage there and I recall one of my earliest CBGT's (a small one) was held there.

Even farther S is Tacoma. I haven't personally taken my boat there but I know there's moorage to be had at the marina near the Museum of Glass. That museum houses all kinds of glass art from local artists and is well worth a visit.

I'm sure others will chime in with their favorite spots but the list above could keep one busy for a week or more.
 
Western Washington State geology inland waters roughly divide somewhere around Anacortes. North of it you are getting into hard rock country with a lot of spectacular hills and islands up to, say 1500 feet - the San Juan and Gulf Islands.

South is dominated by glacial till, typically around 450 feet high, with great views of the Cascades and Olympics in the distance. It is also characterized by peninsulas, inlets, and islands - seemingly beyond counting.

The south, once you get a mile or two from a marina or launching ramp finds you in largely deserted waters even in the summer. Some down here enjoy the San Juans (crowded in the summer) in the winter, and the south in the summer. Olympia at the very south end is about 60-70 miles south of Seattle by land, and by many of the routes you might take by sea.
 
Poulsbo. Fun town. Lots of small shops, restaurants, Sluy's Bakery. Anchor out and run in on you dingy.

Gig Harbor. One more nice anchorage. A few restaurants. Good mud to anchor.

Port off Langley. Small marina and lousy anchorage as there is no way to hide from the weather. But, they have a few good restaurants (Cafe' Langley is our favorite!) some small shops etc.
 
Hate to tell you that Cafe Langley just closed after 37 years. Sad.

Primo Bistro is good as is Braeburn and others.

Dock has been extended.

Coupeville has limited dock and maybe a bit exposed to W but plenty of good restaurants with a new one opening on the dock this year.

Oak Harbor, plenty of space.

Anacortes likewise.

La Conner lots of space and good fun places.
 
Speaking primarily about the South Sound, I've been down through that area twice but not technically "cruising". As others have stated, much less boat traffic but just as beautiful. South Sound destinations to hit would include Tacoma and the Thea Foss Waterway, with nice marinas in the heart of the revitalized Tacoma downtown with the Glass Museum and restaurants. The Olympia waterfront is very nice with a nice boardwalk and lots of restaurants. I've never been but heard good things about Jarrell Cove on Hartstine Island as well as a nice marine park at Hope Island. Cruising under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is pretty cool. There is definitely things worth seeing in the South Sound.

While following Caryn who was participating in the tribal canoe journey this past summer, I was able to witness some spectacular views. See below.

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The dockspace and service generally diminish as you get south of Gig Harbor/Tacoma, but there are still plenty of options.

Do some googling on these

Narrows marina overnight/services
Cutts Island anchor
Henderson Bay anchor
Penrose point state park bouy/anchor
Lakebay marina overnight/services
Filucy Bay anchor
Longbranch marina overnight
Oro Bay anchor
Joemma beach state park bouy
Port of Allyn overnight/services
Vaughn bay inlet anchor
Fair Harbor marina overnight/services
Stretch Island state park buoy/anchor
Jarrell cove state park overnight
Mcmicken island anchor
Hammersly inlet scenic
Coon cove anchor
Hope island state park bouy/anchor
Totten inlet scenic
Little skookum inlet scenic
Fry cove anchor
Swantown Marina overnight/services
Port of Olympia port plaza dock Day use with lots to walk to
Eagle island state park anchor

That should keep you busy! I have covered most of the water down there if you have questions.

Greg
 
As you enter Admiralty inlet from the north, on the NE corner of the Olympic Peninsula is Port Townsend. Lot’s of neat shops and good food, (Check out SeaJ’s for excellent fish and chips), within walking distance of either of the 2 commercial marinas. In the summer there is a downtown dock available between the marinas.

Across the bay to the south is the entrance to Kilisut Harbor and the channel in to get to Mystery Bay State Park, which is a favorite spot of mine. There is also a dock at Fort Flagler in the summer.


Rogerbum said:
“Farther south in the Hood Canal is Brinnon. Just south of that there's another nice, small marina there that is extremely well protected. There's a pool and a hot tub at the marina and good pizza is available there. A small store provides the basics. That's as far south down the Hood Canal as I've explored.”
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I believe he is speaking of Pleasant Harbor, which is a VERY protected marina with fuel available too. He mentioned the hot tub. A great place to soak. If you aren’t into the marina, there is also a State Park dock there and a Washington Fish and Wildlife launch ramp there also. On one trip down there, I ran across a lone humpback whale there. I have heard reports, but have not seen Orca in there. Getting down that far in the Canal, you go past the Banger Sub Complex. Stay awake and give them the required 1000 yards.

South in Hood Canal and around the “Hook” on the south side is Twanoh State Park with a launch ramp and a nice camp facility.



Rogerbum also said:
“There are several possible marinas to stay in near Seattle but for me, Bell Harbor is the best placed. From Bell Harbor marina, you can easily get anyplace downtown. Take a cab or bus to see a ball game in the summer, explore the Pike Street market, visit a museum etc. It's all available and the local bars and restaurants are excellent.”
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Bell Harbor is a great place to stay, and they are super nice there.

Lots of great places in the south sound, and I have only seen half of it from the water, but I have heard from several places it is a good place to go in the summer because everybody else is headed north to the islands.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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Way south, Olympia is an interesting visit - plenty to do, restaurants and shopping within walking distance. Swantown Marina is a good facility, but no fresh water washdown for your trailer.

All kinds of state parks and interesting anchorages as you make your way north towards Seattle. As has been mentioned Bell Harbor is right in the middle of downtown - easy walking to all the "urban stuff" you'd want to see and do. Across the sound from Seattle is Blakely Harbor - feels like "the opposite" of downtown Seattle. We anchored out there a few times when we wanted peace and quiet - further in is more protected; towards the Sound you get a great night view of the Seattle skyline.

East and north to Shilshole Bay area - head inland and go through the Ballard lock and into Lake Union. Easy to spend a few nights here, again with access to all the Seattle stuff you couldn't get to from Bell Harbor.

Back out into the Sound, heading north and west - the town of Poulsbo; good marina, a couple tasty bakeries and shops. Everett, Langley, Oak Harbor, up the Swinomish Channel for a stop in LaConner. Continue north(ish) and you are in Anacortes.

You could easily spend a month doing this area. It would be a different cruise from the San Juans, Gulf Islands and north that you have done... more civilization, but still the opportunity to find anchorages that surprisingly weren't very occupied when we visited.

Hugs to you two,
Jim
 
JamesTXSD said:
East and north to Shilshole Bay area - head inland and go through the Ballard lock and into Lake Union. Easy to spend a few nights here, again with access to all the Seattle stuff you couldn't get to from Bell Harbor.

As soon as you go thru the locks you will be in fresh water. Almost immediately there is Fishermans Terminal on the right, with a memorial to those lost at sea. Continue down the ship canal into Lake Union with the houseboats, wooden boat museum and Seattle skyline. then through the cut past the University of Washington into Lake Washington. Lots of expensive homes to see, including Bill Gates compound. Go north to Kirkland and the beautiful Sammamish Slough and south Bellevue and Renton. If you're lucky you see a brand new Boeing 737, still in green cladding, take off on it's first flight. Fuel and food available at several places.
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Casey":2dmtif2y said:
As usual, C-Brat's is a mother load of information! Thanks!
Best,
Casey&Mary
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And if you happen to be in a Bell Harbor Marina on a weekday, I've been known to deliver donuts or other tasty treats to brats at the dock.
 
You know it is really funny how we never appreciate what we have, we always hear at gettogethers how everyone wants to get to our area to cruise every year and we love to head south once a year if we can to cruise in Puget sound waters. It is definately beautiful where we are and just north in the broughtons but there are beautiful areas in the sound also. The facilities in places like port Townsend, Poulsbou, gig harbour, Vashon are second to none and we have always been very well received anytime we have been there. I guess it is just the differences that attract us, aren't we blessed to live in such a place. I just hope the new "wall" doesn't extend into the water!
 
rogerbum":1nhvuk9q said:
Casey":1nhvuk9q said:
As usual, C-Brat's is a mother load of information! Thanks!
Best,
Casey&Mary
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And if you happen to be in a Bell Harbor Marina on a weekday, I've been known to deliver donuts or other tasty treats to brats at the dock.
Click to expand...

Or, take some to breakfast and West Marine. (Our first face-to-face meeting with Roger almost a decade ago.)
 
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