This summer I want to take my boat up to the San Juans, Washington. If anyone has done this, do you know if it's legal to anchor off any of those many tiny islands, or are there many restrictions as to where you can anchor? I'm talking about the ones that are so small that no one lives on them. Thanks
No anchoring restrictions but the islands that are not part of the state park's system are private, so going ashore might be a problem. Lots of nice state park islands though. Do you have a particular area in mind? What kind of boat do you have?
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Ray
S.V. Nikko
1983 Fraser 41
La Conner, WA
Thanks for the reply, I have a West Wight Potter 15. I don't know the San Juans too well; I have been there cruising in other boats about 3 times and I know that there are a ton of tiny islands less than 1 sq. mile. Do you know where I could find out which ones are private.
A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands LINK
We have used this a lot in the sound and a bit in the San Juan islands. Worth every penny, and I tend to be rather frugal. Great information about all the little places, where you can get ashore or not, hazards that may be around anywhere you might want to anchor, etc.
Since you are going to be slow (sorry) and 3 knot currents are real common, I'd recommend the following current current atlas: (don't forget to also purchase Washburn's 2009 Tables, so that you can use the atlas)
"http://www.shearwaterkayaks.com/shop/chartsnav.html]"
I'm looking forward to my 4th summer of cruising the San Juans. I've managed quite well so far with the above publications, a hand-held GPS, compass, and a bit of common sense. I expect that you can too.
Make sure you let us know when you will be up there, and we'll watch for you!
Best wishes,
David
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1984 Catalina30 "Kyrie"
"They drove a dump truck full of money up to my house. I'm not made of stone!" -Krusty the Clown
As far as I know all the small islands that are not public (park, DNR, etc) are private land, but you'll be surprised how many parks there are. Some are hardly used, the favorites get pretty crowded in the summer. The one across from us rarely has a boat in it and it's a nice sandy beach. We usually have a group of about 12 Wests stay at the marina here every year, great boats. No matter which island you are on please remember that the islands are VERY dry during the summer months, extreme fire danger and there is generally NO fire fighting equipment available.
Something else you will want to have and use is the current tables, they can run pretty hard and it can end up taking you a long time to get somewhere if you are fighting it. Have fun.
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John Davidson SV Laurie Anne
1988 Brewer 40 Pilothouse
although its canadian, the volume 4 in the anne and laurence Yeardon Jones "Dreamspeaker" series "Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: The San Juan Islands: Volume 4" is very good and we have used it quite a bit. also available from amazon
I have had the fortune of cruising around the San Juans...what an experience. But, most of the small islands aren't for anchoring. I suggest if you like hiking...anchor at Cypress in Eagle Harbor...very nice. Also, James Island is nice..good hiking. Sucia is also agreat place to anchor and play. They are all worth cruising around and looking at. Good luck.
