San Juan Islands for First Timers

Parks, Parks, Parks

This a partial list of Island and parks I judged to be of value and worth a visit when cruising, resorts are not included;

James Island, Jones Island, Sucia, Matia, Patos, Stuart, Clark, Cypress, Saddlebag, Obstruction Pass, Spencer Spit, Odlin County Park, Doe Island, Deception Pass.

Suggested 80 mile Itinerary  (5-7 days)

Lets start this cruise in Bellingham at Squalicum Harbor

Day # 1 You arrive late in day and launch boat, then secure a space at the overnight dock, now park the trailer and drive into town (ten minutes) and shop for all those last minute provisions. (Costco, Walmart, Fred Meyer,. etc.) Eat dinner out or come back to boat for a Barbecue.

Day # 2  Cast off for Cypress Island, leave early or late it doesn't matter, (your now on Island time) Bellingham Bay should be good sailing, make your way to
Inati Bay for a quick look, or anchor for lunch. Head for Pelican Beach on Cypress Island, grab a free buoy or anchor, there's no docks on Cypress.  If for some reason you can't stay at Pelican Beach, no problem just motor south about one half mile and tie up at Eagle Harbor where you will find 16 more free buoys and lots of anchor room. Pelican Beach has a steep gravel (90% skipping stones) beach suitable for dinghy's at all tides. On shore are camp sites, campfire rings and bathrooms. If you have some daylight, take a quick hike on the Islands trail system.

Day # 3  You may cast off for Matia but I suggest you stay put and hike up to Eagle Cliff, on your way back detour to Smugglers cove on the Rosario Strait side of cypress (don't forget your camera, it will be worth it) If you want to spend another day hiking you can hike the ten miles or so to Cypress lake and the old airstrip. Back at the boat, relax, but be sure to go ashore and mingle with the kayakers, wrap up the day with a sunset campfire with smores and drinks.

Day # 4  Rise and shine, say goodbye to Pelican Beach and head for Matia Island. The current may be against you, if you have a puttster boat you should wait for the tide change, remember your on Island time now.  On your way to Matia, swing into either side of Clark Island for a quick dinghy ride to shore and lunch stop.  Clark has anchor buoys and campsites on shore.

When you get to Matia, run straight to the cove on the far west end and hopefully get a spot at the little four boat float, there are a couple anchor buoys and room for a few anchors to be dropped.  If for some reason you can't stay at Matia, that's OK, simply move on to Sucia. Sucia is only an hour further and has unlimited room.  Matia is a little gem and should not be missed, there is a cove on the east end where you can anchor if the west end cove is full.  On shore are the standard state Park composting toilets and a great trail taking you through a rain forest setting.  Fires are not allowed on Matia.

If foul weather, fog, high seas, or beach combing keep you in port, Matia is where I want to be.  It is easy to spend some quality, quiet, leisure time on Matia.

Day #5 Pry yourself away from Matia and set course for  close by Echo Bay on Sucia Island.  Sucia has many, many bays where you can find good anchoring plus a host of buoys and linear tie ups.  It is easy to spend several days exploring the trails system on Sucia.  You can spend some more days exploring by dinghy.  For many Sucia is the ultimate destination, and boat clubs routinely have gatherings. (rendezvous)

Day # 6 or day # 12 if you've been taking my suggestions. Check your tide table and up anchor when a favorable current will assist you, then set course for Jones Island, home of the famous tame pygmy deer you can hand feed. On the way to Jones cut over to West Beach Resort on Orcas Island.  Tie up at the dock and enjoy a waffle ice cream cone from the small store.  You can also pick up ice, groceries and gas.  At Jones Island sail straight into the north cove and grab a spot at the dock, the dock holds six to ten boats depending on size, if no dock space, there are half a dozen buoys and plenty of anchor room. Jones is a favorite spot for day visitors and kayakers from Deer Harbor, expect boats to come and go, be ready to move to the dock should a space open up.  The cove at Jones is very protected and is a great place to weather a storm.  Hiking and tide pooling are awesome.  On shore are lots of campsites, running water, and a great shoreline trail. Deer wander around and may be approached. (don't feed the animals, they will come to expect it, then starve when you leave, (phooey))

Day # 7  It is hard to leave a place you enjoy, and most likely will have met some new friends too.  Cast off to the fair winds leave Jones Island once again, and set sail for Deer Harbor.  Its just a short run to Deer Harbor on Orcas Island, you can skip this stop, but should you need anything, the  resort store and deli has what you want including overnight slips, gas, etc. You can also skip the next stop at Orcas landing, but it is right on the way, the docking is easy, so why not stop for a few minutes.  A few feet up the plank you will find a gift shop, restaurant, a park for lunch, public bathrooms with running water. The ferry lands here and is a good place to watch them coming and going.  Now get going, James Island our next overnight-er is a long ways to motor.  You probably will have some adverse currents that can't be avoided since leaving Jones, the good news is that    the currents are less on the inside than they were out in the straits.  At this point in the trip you could detour to Friday Harbor or Rosario, or skip James and head straight for Bellingham to end your cruise. I would go to James for my last night in the San Juans.  At James is a small four boat dock and a cove to anchor. James has a shoreline trail plus two summits you can hike. On shore are bathrooms, campsites with fire pits.  Otters and raccoon's are a real nuisance on James, they will leave muddy footprints all over your boat, make sure your cooler is latched. From James you may spot Orcas in Rosario Strait.

Wind Song anchored at James Island (four boat float in background)

Day # 8 Study your tides and currents, time your departure properly and you may get a free ride all the way to Squalicum Harbor.  With a little luck the wind in Rosario Strait and Bellingham Bay will team up for a fast broad reach all the way to the guest dock.  When you arrive back at Squalicum plan on spending your last night on board.  The boat basin never closes and they have three or more areas for transient boaters, as a last resort you can always go get your trailer and sleep aboard in the parking lot.

Day # 9  Drive for home, while driving make plans for your next trip to the San Juans, you're no longer a first timer. 

John 9/7/11