Puget Sound cruising

S

SeaSpray

Active member
We are considering doing a late June/July trip to the Puget Sound area. We have done the SJ's many times and some of the Gulf Islands but never the Puget Sound.

Any suggestions about places to go and things to see? We generally enjoy anchoring out more often than doing marinas and being able to get to shore for walks.

any information appreciated,
Thanks,
Steve
 
How long of a trip do you plan on taking? In addition to anchoring out, what other aspects of cruising do you enjoy? For example:
1) do you get more out of the traveling or the stops? (the answer to this will determine whether we recommend long runs between short stops or short runs to more interesting places?
2) Do you prefer stops at places with interesting people/shops/cities/villages or do you prefer places to hike/commune with nature?
3) Do you need stops with good restaurants nearby or do you prefer to cook your own?
4) Do you plan on fishing too?
5) Do you like Pina Coladas And getting caught in the rain?
oops... everything but (5) was serious (any old Rupert Holmesfans out there?).

Give us a bit more info and I'm sure the crowd can provide a better potential itinerary.
 
Hi Roger,
We are planning a 2 week trip. Probably would enjoy more interesting stops but I enjoy the boating also. We usually don't like to go every day but spend 2 nights in a place.

We usually prefer to not do the tourist stuff but enjoy places to hike/commune with nature. We usually cook but a couple of dinners out in interesting areas is also nice.

I am the only one that likes to fish but it is not the main reason for the trip. If we can put out some crab traps that would be great but not necessary. We would love to get some more Sockey either from a fishing boat, fish market, or in a restaurant.

As far as the Pina Coladas and the rain we definitely prefer to be in the C-Dory securely anchored/docked, drinking hot chocolate and watching the rain out the windows.


Thanks,
Steve
 
OK, Steve, here are a few of our favorite Puget Sound stops, from Shilshole south.

1. Poulsbo, Libery Bay - stay at the City marina, enjoy the restaurants, or anchor out and dinghy in - this is really about Poulsbo, which is a great little Scandahoovian town.

2. Blakely Harbor, Bainbridge Island. GREAT protected anchorage, and a County park with the shell of an abandoned power house.

3. Blake Island, go around to the northwest side, there are floats but you can anchor there, no need to use the floats, and a state park to land the dinghy, lots of trails.

4. Quartermaster Harbor, Vashon Island. We like just anchoring off the little town of Burton, there is a beach and some stairs going up to the store there. Status of beach is unclear, not a park, but locals all said it was fine to land the dinghy by the stairs.

5. Gig Harbor. Again, this one is about the town. There is a free public dock there, but room to anchor out as well.

6. Jerrell's Cove State Park, Harstine Island. GREAT spot, we had a CBGT there, you can stay on the dock or anchor out.

There are probably a hundred places south of there in the South Sound, but we are not as familiar with that area - yet!






seabran":13x47mfn said:
We are considering doing a late June/July trip to the Puget Sound area. We have done the SJ's many times and some of the Gulf Islands but never the Puget Sound.

Any suggestions about places to go and things to see? We generally enjoy anchoring out more often than doing marinas and being able to get to shore for walks.

any information appreciated,
Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...
 
With that much time and a desire to "do the sound", I'd suggest a trip that essentially circles the Kitsap penninsula. There are two Port of Allyn launches that only about 4 miles apart - one is in the Hood canal and one in the sound. You could pretty easily start at one and end at the other. I haven't used either of them so perhaps others can comment on the quality of the launches.

This link should bring up a map with them on it. They are #'s 39 and 40 on the map. The trip on the east side of the penninsula is more urban so there are fewer (but still plenty) of places to anchor out/hike but there are better restaurants and city things to see. I'm not super familiar with the south end of the sound but have poke around a couple of places.

On the south end of Vashon Island, Dockton park is has some nice floats and is a cheap stay - I think you could easily anchor out in the harbor there and it's very well protected and fairly quiet.

One night in Tacoma might be nice as it would give you an opportunity to see the glass museum - lots of handblown glass, very beautiful. Blake island state park is a C-brat and SeaDNA favorite. Good floats and some nice walking. Also, some native american entertainment and food in the summertime - that aspect is a bit touristy but you don't have to partake and the rest of the island is nice.

I'd recommend a stop at the Bell Harbor Marina for restocking and for hitting some nice restaurants. You can walk up to the Pike Street Market and buy that sockeye salmon you want (plus lots of other great food). The water front in that area is fun to visit.

Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge is very protected and easy to anchor in. There is also a city float that allows O/N moorage for a few boats and free tie-ups for less than 2 or 3 hours. The local village (Winslow) is a nice walk with some interesting artsy-fartsy shops. At the north end, Port Madison offers some good protect anchorage but there's no place to really go ashore except for Fay Bainbridge state park on the NE east side.

You could chose to go through the locks and cruise down past Lake Union and into Lake Washington - good views of the city, some good restaurants and many nice parks are available. Plus, if you're close friends with Bill Gates, you can stop by his house on Lake Washington. :lol:

The Port of Kingston is a good place to refuel, buy food etc. It's very quick in and out. By the way, plan on buying your fuel on the Penninsula rather than the East side if possible. Fuel is generally less expensive on that side as you aren't paying the higher Pierce or King county taxes.

The Port of Edmonds has a good bait shop (Bud - the often grumpy bait seller), good restaurants and transient moorage. Very nice marina.

You could chose to also circumnavigate Whidbey island. Coronet bay at the north end is quite nice. Good anchorage and good hikes on the island. Deception pass is worth the trip - it's best to pass through there on a slack tide as the currents in the channel can get upwards of 10-12kts. I've done it up current at max flood and it can be safely done then too.

On the way up, the Swinnomish channel and a stop at La Conner might be nice. There's a good marina there and a nice sleepy town to visit. The Port of Everett also offers good transient moorage.
The hood canal leg would be much quieter with more opportunity for hiking etc. I'll put together some recommendations for that later.
 
The launch at Allyn on hood canal is good, it has a float, but the ramp is not very steep, when launching my palmer there, I had to back in quite a ways to get her off the trailer, the CD should be easier since it's draft is less, but I have yet to launch my new CD there. But it is the best launch on that side of the canal. And the launch fee is only $3.00 . There are a couple neat places to stay out that way, one is a state park, which the name eludes me right now but some relatives of mine stayed there and loved it. Or there is Alderbrook, right across from Tahuya. Alderbrook is supposed to be very nice, and a cool little nook. And of course I know alot of people like Pleasant harbor. Good crabbing in the canal. PM me if you're thinking of heading that way. I have a cabin out there, and spend alot of time there during the summer. And depending on the time of summer salmon fishing can be quite good.

Sark
 
Pat has a good plan for sure, but I would plan an overnight stay in Tacoma at Dock Street Landing. A new Marina at the Glass Museum. All new facilities lots to see and do with in walking or a light rail ride , they have a site I believe,and they really would like to see a C-Brat Gathering there too. Perhaps later in the year.
 
Thanks to everyone for the information!
I know Karen would enjoy the Glass Museum.

Looks like I need to get busy and start planning a trip. If there are any more favorites just post away!

One other thing we need to think about is where to leave the truck and trailer. I am thinking that launching in the south sound will get us on the water quicker but it might be better to launch at a more central location so we can go both directions. I think our friends with the Kingfisher 26 will join us on the trip.

Any firsthand experience with leaving your rig at a launch site for a week or more?

Thanks again,
Steve
 
Steve – if you launch in Olympia, the very southern end of the Sound, there is a really nice marina with docks and boat ramp. I have a warehouse with a fenced parking area and a locked gate 1/2 mile south of the marina. You would be welcome to leave your vehicle there and have a key to the gate so you could come and go at will. The only bad thing about my site is there is a food bank 200 ft north of it. The type of people this attracts is, lets just say not nice. They tend to throw their rejects, food they don’t like from the food bank, over my fence and oftentimes with their used needles.
 
OK now for my limited knowledge of the Hood Canal and the N end of the Kitsap Penninsula.

If you do circumnavigate Whidbey or go a little North of the Hood Canal, Port Townsend is a great place to visit. Nice little marina, good access into town. Some nice little antique shops to visit. Coming farther south, Port Gamble has good anchorage and is a nice place to visit for ice cream and a picnic. I've been there many times by car but have never tried to go ashore by boat. I think there's a float you could come to but am not sure.

Port Ludlow is really nice. First class marina, good hotel and two decent restaurants - one in the hotel one on the hill above the marina. Lots of good anchorage, digny dock, fuel, store etc. If I'm out fishing Pt. No Point, I'll often run over here for lunch and/or a drink.

Pleasant Harbor is a nice stop too they have a fun little marina, good anchorage and a state park with a float. The marina serves pizza (Seabeck from across the water - a locally "famous" pizza place), has a hot tub and a nice little store. I've been there by boat once or twice and my wife and I stayed on a house boat (HouseBoats4two.com) there on our 15th anniversary. Seal Rock state park is a little north of there and there are some anchorage possibilities near the park (I believe). Oysters can be gotten there when the season's open and the state allows.

Farther south of that - I don't know about.

When were you thinking about making the trip? I can provide some advice on where and what to fish for. Hood canal is good for oysters and crabs and shrimp for the 2-4 days that we are allowed to shrimp. Crab season will probably not open until June and will likely close by mid Sept. Salmon will probably open up around June in the south sound, July in the middle sound, August in the north sound and July in the Hood Canal (seasons for 2006 are not yet completely set). Depending on when you are going, it may be possible to find a local brat who can store your rig for you. I've not left my rig unattended for more than a few days but there are definitely places where I would feel comfortable doing so. Edmonds marina is one such location. They have a sling launch and good security but I think charge a good penny for long term parking.
 
Steve,

We store our boat right across the waterway from the museum of glass. It really is a neat area down there with lots to see and do.
We should be picking up our Kingfisher this weekend. Maybe we will run into you guys out and about on the sound this summer during your trip.
Jeff and Julie
 
This advice is great. We're quitting work and leaving for the Seattle area on June 1. Our first goal is to pick up 2 ea. grandchildern in Tumwater, and let them get used to being on a boat (without their parents.) So my question is, where would be a good place near Olympia, where we could anchor overnight, near an island, but not at a marina? We thought that we'd try that first before we left to cruise Puget sound, (and I have copied every suggestion above.)

Back to cruising. Anybody been around Vancouver Isl?

Boris
 
Swantown in Olympia is a Primo Place. We had a couple C-Brat Gatherings and we were pretty much in agreement the place was pretty nice, just that the weather wasn't( it was in March).
 
We have 2 young boys, 7 and 4, and we really like the Olympia area. There is a really great park right by the downtown marina areas that our kids love to play at. There is the farmers market right there also and that is fun.

Julie
 
If you are looking for an island near Olympia where you can anchor or tie to a state park bouy, the best place, I think, is Hope Island State Park. It is a marine park and has limited campgrounds that are used mostly by kayakers. There is a trail system that winds through the woods and drops down to many nice beaches. If the tide is low you can walk around the island on the beach.There is also a wonderful meadow with apple trees and the rangers cabin where deer come to feed in the morning and evenings. This is a gem of southern Puget Sound. It is located about 9 miles north of Olympia tucked in behind Squaxin and Hartstene Islands.

I have a few more favorite out of the way places in the south sound that I would gladly pass on to any one interested. Send me a PM and I would be glad to talk by phone or PM's. Robbi
 
Wow! I am getting excited about this trip now!

Thanks for all the information and offer of place to store the trucks. I need to get with my friends and finalize the dates and make a plan.

It sounds very likely that we will meet up with some of you. After we get a better idea of what we are doing I will let everyone know.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Roger and Pat covered a lot of my favorites, but on the west side of bainbridge island is Manzanita, a really cool small inlet with nice homes and seclusion and quiet. A really enjoyable place. Port Ludlow is a really good place as well. And if you need a city fix after all this peace and quiet Belltown Marina is the place.
 
I forgot to mention, you can go to Elliott Bay Marina, at the foot of Magnolia Bluff, near downtown seattle, and moor for a not too exhorbitant rate. They have outstanding showers and laundry facilities and port employees who are also outstanding. Palisades Restaraunt at the marina is one of my favorite places to eat, and it is something to see inside, with the water features and the player grand piano and glass sculptures suspended from the ceilings. If you want to dine outside Maggies Bluff downstairs is really good as well.
 
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