San Juan Islands

B

blackfish

New member
hello all

planing on making a short trip in to the San Juan Islands
four days three nights
thinking about launching in cowichan bay vancouver island
as this will be our first trip into the san juans I was hoping to get some suggestions on sites to see
we prefer anchoring out and also seeing that we only have four days
the less time traveling more time exploring small anchorages and beaches the better

thank you for all or any info
Dave
 
I would look around Sucia, northwest side; Patos, in the tiny bay south of the lighthouse; and Stewart for nice anchorages. You will need to check in with customs at Roche or Friday Harbors first though. (You already knew that)

BTW, hope you are planning on including Friday harbor CBGT may 18 to 20 in your trip.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

HH_Cal_09_07_Jul.thumb.jpg
 
Only suggestion I have is spend more time. My first trip was meant to be one week and I called work on the third day to get another vacation week!

Enjoy. You will be back!
 
Dave:

Before leaving suggest you obtain a print out from the Washington State Parks website showing the islands (or areas of shoreline) that are part of the park system. It is surprizing how many there are.

The customs people at Roche Harbor are generally friendly and easy to deal with. Also, you tie up right in front of their office, which is on the floating dock. The other customs alternative is Friday Harbor, but most of us prefer Roche when returning from Canada.

You will find the busiest public parks are those that have docks or mooring buoys...but generally in nice summer weather these are occupied...some with blaring radios and barking dogs. Our experience is being able and willing to anchor at locations without those facilities provides a more secluded experience, even in the busy season.

If you are anchored somewhere and wake up to find the wind blowing, it is usually easy to re-position yourself to the opposite side of the island and a lee shore.

The town of Friday Harbor is nice to visit, as is La Conner.

Have a nice trip.

Kevin Ware
El Gato Thomas
CD Tom Cat 25.5
 
Hi Dave. I generally launch in Sidney there is a nice ramp about a mile south of town that the Sidney angler assoc runs. Good safe parking. You can get a permit there or in town at west marine. I usually stay a night in Roche Harbour after customs. Either at dock or lots of room to anchor. Lots of history at Roche and nice pub. Wander the grounds. Stuart island has been nice in past visits. When are you planning to launch? I would definately suggest you come to the Friday Harbor gathering on the 18th weekend. Lots of fun. Friday Harbour is great for anchoring also. Or tie up great restaurants and history. Remember Sidney spit park in Canada as a fall back or wait spot if Haro strait is bumpy. Easy to see conditions for a quick scoot when calm. Can be poor on viz so be watchfull for shipping. Have fun. George
 
thanks everyone for the help
George
planing on leaving Friday morning or maybe late Thursday if thursday we will anchor near the launch thursday night

friday harbour gathering sounds interesting
its a bit of a last minute trip as timing doesn't work out for our annual fishing trip to buttle lake this year

again thanks everyone
 
I agree with George, launch at Sidney, it's only about 10NM from there to Roche Harbor. Launching at Sidney you could easily clear customs at Roche and spend the first night at Garrison Bay just a few miles south of Roche. It is a good anchorage, and English Camp of Pig War fame is fun to walk around and explore. Roche itself has some nice things to see but gets pretty crowded in summer. From that area I would head North up to Sucia and Matia Islands, anchor at either place and there are very nice walking trails. I like Shallow Bay on Sucia, nice sunsets and its a little less crowded. Both are great places for picnics. From there I'd consider, depending on the time you have left, heading over to Stewart island, anchor in Reid harbor and take the trail to the Turn Point lighthouse, its a pretty good walk but the rewards, the views, are spectacular. If you have the time and just want to cruise a little you might go from Sucia/Matia down to the Jones Island area, head east from there and go up into West Sound of Orcas Island spending the night at Jones island, nice trails and picnic areas. In either case I'd recommend Stewart as your last night/day before heading back to Sidney. You will just barely scratch the surface of the San juans with this itinerary but it minimizes travel and maximizes exploring. And...By All Means do join us at Friday harbor May 18,19,20. We have 39 boats signed up now and have a great time. My wife, Patti, and I host that gathering and would really welcome more Canadians.
 
Depending if you like tying to a dock or swinging on a hook you could come up with a different list of places to visit. All of the above are great for docks as is Deer harbor on Orcas and Fisherman's marina on Lopaz. If you want to walk the town of East bay in the middle of orcas, there is a dock in fishing bay that is for day use to visit town. The dock on the west side of James Island is nice but does not hold a lot of boats, 4 or 5 tops. From there you can walk to the other side, 50 yards, and watch the ferries go by after dark. Very pretty when they are all lite up.

If you want to anchor I would suggest Garrison bay, Provost harbor ( little bay off satellite island), Blind bay on the north side of Shaw. Shallow bay on suica is over looked but a great spot to anchor and go ashore to walk the island. You can walk either end as you are starting in the middle and its not as crowded as Echo. Eagle harbor on cypress is nice and quite. Watmough bay on the east side of Lopaz is a nice quite spot this time of year.

On your side of the border we like the looks of the Chatman Islands but have not had the chance to over night they yet. And Sidney spit is just a wonderful place to walk and hang out. Lots of wildlife to see and nice trails and beaches to walk.
 
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