South (Puget) Sound Help, Please

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El and Bill

New member
We will be leaving Bellingham manana heading south to the South Sound area, and Case Inlet in particular.

Sure would appreciate advice from local boaters about best anchorages in all of Puget Sound and South Sound, in particular. Also must see places, etc. Thanks folks.
 
There are lots of places in the South Puget sound. Dockton in Quartermaster Harbor is a nice place for the day. If you want to explore Tacoma go to Dock Street Marina-within walking distance of museums, restaurants, etc. Gig Harbor is a must. Olympia has a great farmers market within walking distance of Perceival's Landing (Budd Inlet). I would definately stay a night at Jarrell Cove State Park on the north end of Harstene Island. Hope you have a good trip.
 
Bill and El,

I have a book on that area, "South Puget Sound, Afoot and Afloat" By Marge and Ted Mueller. I have not cruised that area yet, but this might give you some insight into what's good or not. The book seems to be comprehensive for the area.

Steve
 
Bill and El,

We also have some cruising the South Sound info that we'd be happy to share with you at Bellingham.

Agree with the previous suggestions and will add a few more in a later post but for now, must see place probably include Gig Harbor (as mentioned) and Poulsbo.

Gig Harbor has very limited transient marina space (basically Arabella's Landing) plus a nice but small public dock - usually full. However, you asked about anchorages and Gig Harbor is small, crowded sometimes but it's only about 25 feet deep all over and there are always places to anchor. Gig Harbor is kind of a touristy place but nice to visit.

Poulsbo has a very nice public marina with about the best price for fuel in Puget Sound. It's a very cute little town with a definite Scandinavian flavor. We like Poulsbo a lot. There is lots of anchorage available near the marina which is right downtown.

If you want a really different experience, I highly recommend Bell Harbor Marina in Seattle. It's a very secure public marina - not very large but it's right on the Seattle waterfront. Easy walking distance to the Pike Steet Market - very much worth a visit and long but doable walks to everything from the Space Needle to Seattle's Chinatown. You will need reservations (probably) and you will probably be the smallest boat in the marina (we've been there several times and have always been the smallest) but it's definitely a must see. By the way, when we've been there, the restrooms and showers were exceptionally well cared for - which was nice. It's possible, I suppose, but I've never considered anchoring in Elliot Bay.

Just outside of Seattle, across Elliot Bay, is Blake Island. Blake Island is primarily a marine park although one of the local Native American tribes has a lodge there and there are daily boat trips from Seattle to salmon dinners at the lodge. Nice, minimal facility state marina. The island has a lot of trails for hiking. We've never tried anchoring there but have seen boats anchored at the southwest end of the island. It is awfully exposed, however. There are quite a mooring buoys and that's what we've used. Can be bouncy because of traffic.

More later,
 
As a fellow South Sound alien, I can't offer much except to echo the previous suggestions. Poulsbo is really neat. Brownsville Marina is staffed by the nicest marina folks I have found. Bell Harbor is almost a must for history buffs like yourselves. The girls and I stayed there for a few days on their Spring break and did all the touristy stuff. Take lots of money if you want to stay very long in Seattle!

And speaking of history - a stop by Swantown Marina in (or near) Olympia will give you a chance to see the site of the first ever CBGT Fall Fling, which also may have been the wettest ever recorded on the top of the boats. It seems to me that it's pretty close to Jarrell Cove.

We may not get a chance to see you guys up there this summer. Lots of stuff going on and the timing of things is difficult to work around. (I am scared to post it on the B'ham thread. I told Ruthie the news in a PM and she hasn't talked to me since.) The good part is that this year it is mostly good stuff happening.
 
El and Bill,

Going south from Anacortes, if one takes the Swinomish Channel instead of going through Deception Pass (both routes have good things about them) then a stop at LaConner can be interesting. This is a popular place to shop for art and collectibles. I believe you can make a brief stop at no cost. Anchoring in the channel is probably not a good idea.

A little further south the town of Coupeville has a lot of charm. There is plenty of anchorage adjacent to the public dock or a little further into Penn Cove. Not particularly well protected from winds out of the east but the holding is good and July/August winds are normally light.

Moving south, a lot of people like Langley on Whibey Island. We had a good time there the only time we stopped but haven't been anxious to go back.

Skipping on down past Gig Harbor, there a some nice anchorages but many of them are small. There are also several marine parks with mooring buoys although as you would expect they are usually full in the summer. As mentioned, Jarrell's Cove is a nice spot although someone else will have to address anchoring there. We've only been there off season when buoys were available and I don't remember much space. Longbranch certainly has anchorage. Pretty quiet place. We were there recently in the rain, took the dog ashore and didn't seen anyone. If you get as far south as Budd Inlet (Olympia), Swantown is an excellent marina, there are public docks and you can anchor along the shore.

Much more than you wanted to hear.
 
TyBoo":2i2ent8l said:
We may not get a chance to see you guys up there this summer. Lots of stuff going on and the timing of things is difficult to work around. (I am scared to post it on the B'ham thread. I told Ruthie the news in a PM and she hasn't talked to me since.) The good part is that this year it is mostly good stuff happening.
Click to expand...

Oh Mike! I must have forgotten to reply. Sure pleased to hear that all is well your way. Anyway, we were hoping that you'd be able to come up in a couple of weeks but if not, maybe Sequim at the end of September?

Ruth and Joe / R-Matey
 
El and Bill

We live up on Hartstene Island - North End, of Case Inlet - Our Marina Indian Cove is just 1/2 mile north of Jarrels cove. Please come visit, shower, have dinner, relax on the porch -stay on your boat in the Marina or preferably at our home --good views of the Olympics and Pickering strait. I will be traveling off and on during the next week - perhaps we can coordinate a visit.

My favorite spots in South Puget Sound are not Marinas but Marine Parks [the three below - no water, electricity, - they have mooring buoys.

Eagle Island - between Anderson and McNeil Island - usually 20-50 seals sun on the North side. Moor in the east side for views of Rainier. Some current there.

Hope Island - A new Marine park - just North of Olympia several mooring buoys

McMicken Island - very beautiful area - very protected. on the East Side of Hartstene Island and 20 minutes from our home.

We were just at Lakebay Marina - more correctly across the way from it at Penrose State Park - it was great four days. Mooring buoys and dock space. If you tie up to the dock try to take a spot away from the bank as at some low tides the boats next to beach are on the bottom. Watch the entry to the harbor there - Z type course in.

A great day trip - 1hr] from Penrose is North to Cutts Island - 8-9 mooring buoys but no restrooms as listed in the Waggoner. I say day trip as it has very long fetch - got rough in the afternoon but the Island is beautiful, and has a long sandy spit that stretches nearly to the shore at low tide. Good Beach on West side and shade if needed

In South Puget Sound
I would recommend buying gas at Boston Harbor just south of the Hartstene Island - they have a lot of business, so probably fresher fuel.

There is a public docking [no shore power] next to Anthony's restaurant in Olympia

Jarrels cove is OK - but owners are not in a hurry to sell fuel

Hope I didn't give too many details - I know your are experienced Mariners - I was excited you might be in the area.

It would be our privilege to have you visit and stay for a few days. You are welcome to email to coordinate.

Jim
 
Wow -- thanks for sharing your ideas, folks -- busy waypointing your ideas. Looks like interesting cruising country, and looking forward to the trip.
 
Bill and El,

I'm probably too late responding, but if you're in the Edmonds area give us a call. Our house is set up for visitors spending a night or two and we'd welcome your company.

You have my cell # in a PM. I'll send you my home number also.
 
Hey, you two, you're outside knocking on my front door! That's a big barrel of cool to have C-Brat luminaries like yourselves plying our salty Sound. Lemme set my bicycle aside, give Buster a great big smooch right there on the kisser and lob my nickel's worth into this already fruitful suggestion box.
:cat
 
Everybody's ideas were right on. Still, I see a few more prawns hidden under the lobster sauce and spinach.

Bell Harbor, Poulsbo, Brownsville, Blake Island, Gig Harbor, Quartermaster Harbor, Wollochet Bay, Fox Island, Anderson Island, Lakebay/Penrose Park and all those fun places jstates suggested are sites to see if you have time. South Sound is wonderful. You'll have Mt. Rainier looking down at you for the duration, so behave yourselves.

I might add Bremerton and Port Orchard, with a poke into Sinclair and Dyes Inlets. Run at least once up or down Colvos passage. Do stay at Bell Harbor one night and walk around downtown, then turn back time one century with a weekday visit to Blake Island. Make sure you walk the trail around Blake, this area's version of a San Juan island.
:love
 
I believe there is an article in the current Sea about boating the Hood Canal. There is a posh resort there with its own marina.

Warren
 
Didn't mention Bell Harbor in the first post but agree with all of the folks who reccomended it. We have a 22 foot Seasport and are often the smallest boat-the plus is they always find us a spot. It is a great way to spend some time in Seattle.
 
stuandjac":27r2ew6a said:
Didn't mention Bell Harbor in the first post but agree with all of the folks who reccomended it. We have a 22 foot Seasport and are often the smallest boat-the plus is they always find us a spot. It is a great way to spend some time in Seattle.
Click to expand...

That reminds me......

When we spent a week in the San Juan Islands last month, I saw about 4-6 times as many Seasport boats as C-Dorys!

Sure wouldn't have expected that from what we see down here in California!

Joe.
 
Sea Wolf":34d3inp4 said:
stuandjac":34d3inp4 said:
Didn't mention Bell Harbor in the first post but agree with all of the folks who reccomended it. We have a 22 foot Seasport and are often the smallest boat-the plus is they always find us a spot. It is a great way to spend some time in Seattle.
Click to expand...

That reminds me......

When we spent a week in the San Juan Islands last month, I saw about 4-6 times as many Seasport boats as C-Dorys!

Sure wouldn't have expected that from what we see down here in California!

Joe.
Click to expand...

Sea Sport builds their boats here in Bellingham and Boondock Boats & Motors located at Squalicum Harbor is the dealer. So not surprising that you saw several of them during your San Juan Island tour.

Ruth and Joe/R-Matey
 
Wasn't the old dealer of Seasports IMC in Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island?

IMC now sells Ocean Sport boats.

Selling boats from the islands can pretty much guarantee that there will be a lot in the area.
 
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