San Juan Recommendations...

[RDragon]

Good Morning to the Board!

Just wanted to do an informal poll. We have never been north of everett and so are looking for information. After looking over the charts and books, we have a tentative plan...but would love some other input from experienced cruisers.
9 days, Tacoma to Anacortes, Anacortes to Deer Harbor, Deer Harbor to Roche Harbor, Roche to Sucia, Sucia to Rosario, Rosario to La Conner, La Conner to Tacoma....Whew!

Any other thoughts? Places to omit, to see or where to spend extra time would greatly be appreciated. Also looking for reprovisioning and fuel stops...I know, A lot of questions crammed into 1 small post. Sorry! Thanks again

Drew

 

[CaptMac]

Hi Drew,

First - 9 days is too few! Gotta sneak in as many as you can....

That's a long haul - Tacoma to Anacortes. Sounds like you are coming up the East side of Whidbey - might be a good time to stop at LaConner then.

I've never stayed at Anacortes - it's tough when the San Juans are so close by -
Jones Island is on our list (north side) - with Sucia - both have Parks buoys to hang on if you can get them
Reed Harbor - Stuart Island is a favorite - always room in a sheltered harbor
We like Roche a lot - just can't get enough of the evening ceremonies.
We occassionally visit Friday Harbor as well.
We've been to Fisherman Bay (Lopez) a bunch, but it has been a while. Town is a short hike away
Never stayed at Deer Harbor -
Always wanted to visit Rosario - I look forward to hearing what you think
Port Townsend (the Boat Basin is pretty far from town, stay at Port Hudson) is on our list
And Port Ludlow on the way home -

Enough? Bring a copy of Wagoneers -

Mac

You can provision/fuel at Frioday Harbor, Roche, .. Just be sure to carry a copy of Waggoneers

 

[RDragon]

Mac,

Your a great Resource! Thank you. Was looking at the long slog of open water between Lopez and Port Towensend. Is that transit (in the right weather 😱 ) ok? I would prefer NOT to return the way we came, and I always love Port Hudson, but.........All that OPEN WATER SCARES ME! :? I'm ashamed to admit it, but there it is out in the open. Always appreciate the advice!

 

[j&lgray]

Hi Drew!

If I was coming from Tacoma . . .
Night one in Edmonds or Everett or Langley depending on tides, conditions and how early we left
Night two at the Spencer Spit State Park on the SOUTH side of the spit after going through Deception Pass on either slack or an Ebb Tide-because it is fun and Lopez Sound is nice. Catch a mooring buoy or anchor. Next morning, if the weather is right and the water is flat, go around San Juan Island island at catch the Orcas that are south and west of the island.
Night three at Roche Harbor (we don't care for it because it is not our style but that is just us) or anchor at Garrison Bay at San Juan National Historical Site and dingy ashore to English Camp and their visitor center. Enjoy good crabbing and get fresh oysters nearby.
Night four at Stuart Island, Reid Harbor: walk to the school house and buy cool shirts and post cards at their honor system and walk to the Turn Point Light House for an incredible view of Canada and Boundary Pass
Night five and six at Sucia Island: there is just so much to see and walk to but no facilities at all
Night seven at Fisherman's Bay at Lopez Island: reprovision and get ice cream at Lopez Village, about 1/2 mile walk
Night eight at Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, Kingston or Winslow depending upon conditions, tides and timing.
Home.

Have a great time!

 

[RDragon]

Great suggestions John! Thanks...Mooring bouys $10/night? so it may pay for itself to get the pass prior to departure...I appreciate the input! SO that 20+ miles isn't too bad?

 

[bluebayou]

Having just spent the month of May in the San Juan Islands (leaving and returning from/to Bellingham), I will add just a few comments here:
Fisherman's Bay, Lopez Island: Watch the Tides !!! At low tide, there is not enough clearance for an R-25. I bottomed.
Deer Harbor: One of the most pleasant places I found in all the islands. Call ahead for mooring. Eat at the Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant. They have a free Limo service from the dock to the restaurant and back. Excellent food and service.
Rosario: Skip it. When I was there, it was boarded up and shut down, even the Mansion. Harbor nearly empty of boats
Blind Bay, Shaw Island, North side. Along with Garrison Bay, mentioned by others, a great place to sleep on the hook.
Sucia Island: You can anchor for free in the many coves and bays, if you can get ashore by dinghy.
Olga, Orcas Island. Great restaurant a short walk up the main street from the free town dock.
Above all, be sure and visit Friday Harbor. Lots of Guest docking, and the town is easily accessible on foot.
Anacortes: Likewise, the very quaint downtown, with mucho restaurants, is just a few blocks from Cap Sante marina.
Enjoy your cruise !!!!
Charles on Blue Bayou

 

[Auklet]

Drew --- All good suggestions from folks who know and love the islands. I'll just second a few of their comments. We bought our boat in Tacoma, left there abour 3 PM. Didn't want to push the new engine but still made it to Kingston for the night. The next day we had a comfortable trip home (Anacortes) via Laconner. Hope this helps with your timing.

The straits are generally calm this time of year but it can be anything at any time, watch the weather reports. Go out and look, then make your decision. Your boat should cross the straits in about two and a half hours. I have always tried to reach Cattle Point on an in coming current.

Library --- Wagoneer is a good one but I also carry a book called The Burgee.

Best for provisions and fuel --- Anacortes, everything within a block or two and they try to have the cheapest fuel. Friday Harbor, we generally stop here late in the trip when we are running out of stuff.

Best tie ups --- All towns and villages have good safe places facilities except East Sound. Don't know why.

Best run-and-hide in case of storm --- Any of the towns and parks except Spencer Spit. In that area I prefer Hunter Bay. On your way north or south consider Mats Mats or Port Ludlow.

Best land adventure --- As mentioned by the others, the lighthouse at Stuart Island and lots of hiking on Sucia.

Be safe and have a wonderful journey.

 

[dmcinfo]

If you go online to the Latitude 38 website there is a good article in their January 2009 magazine about cruising the pacific northwest. Lots of good tips about cruising the San Juans and surrounding area. Here is the link to the site.

http://www.latitude38.com/eBooks/Jan2009.html

 

[Trinity]

Coming from Edmonds, we like to stay in Anacortes our first night. The showers and facilities are great and the Safeway is close by if we forgot to bring anything. We are not as experienced in the islands as most who have responded. My only suggestion is to be flexible. Last trip we loved Sucia so much we stayed an extra day and rearranged our travel plans. Also, I believe Rosario Resort is closed. Don't forget to see fellow Ranger Tug owners on your travels if you stop in Edmonds!
Nancy and Kerry

 

[denny]

OUR FAVORITE PLACE IN THE SAN JUANS is British Camp on Garrison Bay just south of Roche. Denny

 

[johnniethek]

I just got the 2009 Waggoner Cruising Guide. Can somebody recommend a publication that has the best charts in the San Juan area? I was hoping there would be better navigational info than there is in the Waggoner pub.

 

[Auklet]

Johnnie --- Waggoners only discribes places where you are hoping to stop. Was never intended as a navigation tool. The best chart book for San Juan Islands is Maptech book #WPB 1510-02. There is also one for Puget Sound #WPB1520-02. They each cost 50 bucks, but what is your life worth? There are others, some cheaper, some covering more area, but none are as accurate or easy to use.
Saw your question on another thread about mooring bouys. The answer from Larry H is right on, follow it to the letter.
Strongly suggest that you take the Coast Guard Auxilary or Power Squadron classes.
Hate to sound like a big brother all the time, but that's what we are here for. Just trying to keep our tugbuddies alive.

 

[johnniethek]

After I posted my question, I made my way to Fishing Supplies in The Emerald City and picked up the Maptech waterproof chartbook on the San Juans. Poring over it now...while I watch the M's (hopefully) beat the Rockies.

Looking forward to sampling and learning more about the on-the-water cruising experience. By the way, I took the Coast Guard Auxilary class several years ago, and have been poring over that textbook once more.

J