San Juan Islands Cruising Guide
One Week Sample Itinerary
This itinerary provides a nice overview of the San Juan Islands and assumes that you would like to split your time more or less evenly beteen state parks and marinas. There is MUCH more to see beyond this iterary and you could just as easily spend your whole charter anchoring in quiet bays or docking each night at marinas.
- Day 1 - Sucia Island. Cruise across Bellingham Bay to Lummi Island, up scenic Hale Passage, to the most popular of the marine parks. Wander the scenic trails onshore or explore pebbly beaches lined with unique sandstone formations. (18 NM)
- Day 2 - Roche Harbor. Cruise southwest along Orcas Island, through Harbor Porpoise territory, to this historic resort. As you pass south of Spieden Island keep your eyes open for Mouflon sheep, European fallow deer and Japanese sika deer (imported to the island around 1970) grazing on the grassy hillsides. Roche Harbor Resort offers a restaurant/bar, cafe, a small grocery store, pool and spa. Of interest nearby are a sculpture garden, distillery and the unusual Afterglow Vista. (16 NM)
- Day 3 - Stuart Island. Today can be a short day or a longer day depending on how you would like to spend it. The destination is either Prevost or Reid Harbors on Stuart Island. Both flank a state park with fascinating trails. If you've chosen a shorter day on the water and would like a good, long leg stretch, continue beyond the state park trails and along the quiet country lanes to the Turn Point Light house (4 miles each way). Along the way stop at the old schoolhouse where t-shirts are sold on the honor system and there is a small but interesting museum to expore. For those who would like a longer day on the water, this is a good day to meander south along the west coast of San Juan Island to look for orca whales before back-tracking to Stuart Island. (4 NM to Reid, 7 NM to Prevost)
- Day 4 - Friday Harbor, Jones Island or Deer Harbor. Several options fit well for today, depending on your mood. You could head east to Jones Island, where there are trails to wander and deer eat apples from your hand. Or, consider staying at charming Deer Harbor, where you can find provisions, ice cream and a nearby restaurant. For a taste of island village life, head to Friday Harbor. The largest town in the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor offers shopping, a large grocery store, and plenty of restaurants to choose from. While there, consider a visit to the Whale Museum or rent mopeds to visit a lavender farm or winery. (7 NM to Jones, 9 NM to Deer Hbr, 13 NM to Friday Hbr)
- Day 5 - Rosario Resort. Head through the center of the islands toward this Gatsby-era resort on Orcas Island. If you have time and conditions are settled you may wish to detour past Rosario, to the top of East Sound, dropping anchor temporarily to explore Eastsound Village before returning south to the resort. Rosario Resort offers a pool, hot tub, spa, restaurant and pub. There is an interesting museum in the mansion and the pipe-organ concert and historical slide show are well worth catching if you have time. Hikers will find access to the excellent Moran State Park trail system from the resort. (10 NM from Deer or Friday Hbr, 11 NM from Jones)
- Day 6 - Cypress Island. From stately Rosario Resort head down East Sound and east through Obstruction Pass, then across Rosario Strait, to pick up a mooring buoy at either Pelican Beach or Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island. Explore the trails onshore or just relax and ponder your view of Mount Baker. (10 NM)
- Day 7 - Bellingham. A morning cruise across Bellingham Channel and then Bellingham Bay completes your circuit, though truthfully you have tasted but a tiny sample of the delights of the San Juans. Itinerary subject to change upon impulse with only delightful consequences. (13 NM)
Special Opportunities
| Courses & Stateroom Bookings | Spring & Summer Guided Flotillas | Fall Guided Flotillas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Learn-n-Cruise | 10-Day Sunshine Coast | 7-Day Independence Celebration | 7-Day San Juans & Saanich |
| Refresher & Maneuvering | 31-Day Broughton Islands | 7-Day Women-only San Juan Islands | 14-Day Desolation Sound |
| Private Courses | 7-Day Victoria & the Gulf Islands | 7-Day San Juan Islands | 10-Day End of Season Hoorah |
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