Sept. San Jaun trip

S

SeaSpray

Active member
We planned our vacation for Sept. and will be arriving Labor Day weekend. Too bad we are missing the Bellingham/Gulf Island trips.

We have launched from Anacortes in the past but not sure we like the idea of a sling launch after the picture of the Searay!

Any suggestions for good places to launch and leave our rigs for over two weeks? We will be with our friends and have 2 trucks and boats.

Bellingham has been mentioned as a good place but my friend heard that there is a typically rough water area getting to and from Bellingham. Anyone know about that?

We have generally had good luck on leaving our cars in Anacortes but did have a broken window one time.

We have not decided if we will use some time to go to the south Sound or just visit our favorite places in the San Juans and Gulf Islands. So we are open to launching from different areas.

Thanks for any input.

Steve
 
You might look into Cornet Bay by Deception Pass on the North end of Whidbey Island. There are good state park launch ramps, lighted, patrolled parking and I've never had any problem leaving my truck/trailer there. The only downside is a $10 per night parking charge.
 
Bellingham is a pretty good launch spot. There is a five dollar charge for launching, and lots of parking. The rough spot your friend is referring to is Bellingham Bay. The bay can be a bit rough, especially when winds have a southerly component. The good news is that the run across the bay is only 7 miles long, at which point you have some options in terms of your route depending upon the weather.

Having kept a boat north of Bellingham, in Blaine, I would say that I would choose the Bellingham Bay crossing over the 15-20 mile crossing of Strait that is required when coming or going in Blaine. (My wife strongly seconds that opinion.) Blaine would be a good launch point if your intention is to head straight into the Gulf Islands.

Anacortes is probably the closest jumping off point for getting into the San Juans with the least risk of a long lumpy crossing.
 
I would favor either Bellingham or Blaine. As mentioned, the launch is $5 - and the parking is free (Port of Bellingham runs both launch facilities). Bellingham is by far the better launch facility, but Blaine is entirely adequate and much less crowded. You are probably making too much of the rough water in Bellingham Bay - Rosario Strait can be just as snotty if not more. Bellingham is closer to the San Juans, Blaine is closer to the Gulf Islands - jumping off from Blaine, just cross directly to Active Pass. They are both good.
 
Living in Bellingham makes their launch facilities very convenient for us. Yes, we've had some snotty crossings but it's manageable. Just have to watch the weather. There's a separate parking lot for the long term parking. Just contact the Port office when you arrive and they'll take care of you. So close to Sucia Island, Matia Island and many others that we enjoy.

Ruth and Joe / R-Matey
 
Steve, my buddy, after making that run up the river after the Delta/Bay cruise, you will think Bellingham Bay is a walk in the park! :wink:

The launching/parking at Bellingham is great. Besides the $5 launch fee that has been mentioned, parking is FREE. Yes, even long-term parking for the truck and trailer. And you can stay up to three nights in the marina as a transient for only 50¢ per foot - what a deal! Bellingham is a great jumping off place for the San Juans. Everything is close, so you can see SO much without endless running. Bellingham is also a good place to provision/fuel for the trip.

If you decide to do the south Sound, Swantown Marina in Olympia is another good place (but they do get $3 day for parking). All over, there are state parks and plenty of anchorages if you want to stay on the hook.

If it wasn't for the 11 1/2 months of "rainy, but we do get occasional sun-breaks" season, I'd move here! :hot

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Thanks to everyone for the information. I would like to launch from Bellingham and we may do that. My friend is not so adventurous and may want to launch from Anacortes where we know.

I really wish I was up there now but it is only six more weeks.

Steve
 
We planned our vacation for Sept. and will be arriving Labor Day weekend. Too bad we are missing the Bellingham/Gulf Island trips.
Click to expand...

Steve,
Hope you are taking a nice long vacation and are including the Sequim Bay CBGT Sept 28 - 30 in your plans. There now, your launch and parking is taken care of at John Wayne Marina. Excelent launch ramp, nice facility, secure parking, and a "strait" shot :smile north about 23 miles to Cattle Point and San Juan Channel, Southerly entrance to the SJ Islands. Launch fee is $8.50 not sure on the long term parking but would be glad to check. Have friends parked there for long term but don't know the arrangements.
Harvey
Sleepy C :moon
 
Harvey,

Thanks for the information. I really wish we could stay that long but I only have 3 weeks and there will be 4 days spent coming and going.

Thanks,
Steve
 
We are going to launch the same weekend, maybe the friday before. We will launch from Oak Harbor. That is an easy run in usually calm water up to Deception Pass and out and over to Lopez. And the price for launch and parking is right 0$.
 
Hi Loyds,

We went to Oak harbor when we were getting our boat from EQ. That is where the canvass shop was located. I did not look at the marina that closely but it looked nice.

Is it a safe place to leave your truck and trailer for 2 plus weeks?

We are thinking we will be able to get there and launch by sometime Monday. Depending on how things go it may be late Monday.

Let us know what you r plans are and we may be able to meet up.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Steve, that would be great to meet up. The last time we launched at Oak Harbor I did check in with the harbormaster and tell him our plans and timing and everything worked out great. The parking is right by the head of the launch ramp. We parked our truck, camper, and the trailer in one stall and it fared fine. We only parked there a week but no one bothered it. They do have some security there plus there are some commercial businesses within a 100 feet so you aren't sitting there alone. I will contact you again as the date gets closer. I really like the ride up past cornet bay to deception pass from oak harbor. And coupeville is just minutes away from the launch as well. You can hit that on the way out or the way back.
 
Back
Top