Issues with cruising in the Southern Gulf Islands

[Shano]

Many marinas in the Southern Gulf Islands are closed to transient boaters. Some fuel docks are closed. Some fuel docks have reduced hours. Steveston Chevron will stay open I am told. Some boat ramps are closed. So if you do go out, and we ( my wife and I) are planning to go out on Wednesday, plan to anchor out or go to a park mooring buoy (which I think are still ok). Pretty well all marine parks are closed. Crossing the border has big issues. And of course all of this can change very quickly. A fisheries officer told me that they will ticket boaters who have people on their boat that they do not live with (social distancing). So call ahead to check out what is open. So here’s hoping that this pandemic ends sooner than later and that we can get back to all those activities that we love! Safe boating.

 

[scross]

Thank goodness there are so many great anchorages in the Southern Gulf Island! And in the San Juans for that matter. Even with Provincial Marine Parks and Washington State Parks closed, you can still anchor out and have a great cruise.
I can think of a dozen wonderful anchorages from Bedwell Harbor on the South and Silva Bay in the North Gulf Islands that are amazing places to visit. Anchorages from Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island in the NW San Juans to the anchorage areas around Deception Pass SP on the SE San Juans abound.
Call ahead to double check on what specific restrictions are in place for where you are planning to launch and cruise. Manage your social distancing, fuel consumption and battery status and you are good to go! Who knows, you might learn to prefer anchoring out on a regular basis as we do.
Stay safe out there!