Chapter # 1 Get oriented and Launch the Boat

     At first this map/chart may look strange and unfamiliar, but soon these names and places will become a source of fond memory's.  Take a moment to study the names. As you learn more about the San Juan area, you may want to come back to this page to keep oriented. I suggest that you locate Bellingham, Anacortes, La Conner, and Friday Harbor.  These four city's will be central in your San Juan experience if you come back again and again like we have.  (click on the image, see if it gets bigger) 

Red dots are Parks, Green dots are Floats (docks), Purple dots are Ramps

     Many of the Islands and places to go are much too small to see with any detail on this large scale overall map.  Rest assured there are plenty to go around. The San Juan area allows total privacy when camping, cruising and hiking, or if you prefer, hustle and bustle, restaurants and night life.  Right now though lets look at the boat ramps, and marinas, because first you need a convenient way to get on the water.  At the top of the picture by Interstate five is Bellingham, home of Squalicum Harbor.

 Tip   Squalicum Harbor  in Bellingham is by far the best ramp and facility around, and has my highest recommendation.  If your planning to go to Sucia for the first night, you should start at Squalicum Harbor.

• Four lanes, suitable at all tide levels, open 24/7
• Lots of free parking, long or short term  (this is a $100+ savings)
• Fresh water wash down hoses  (always wash your trailer immediately after immersion)
• On site restaurants, and bathrooms with showers.
• Transient boat docks for overnight visits
• Major stores near by, but not walking distance
• Closest jump off point to Sucia, Matia and Patos Islands
• Fuel dock, pump out 

Next on the list of  popular launching points is Cap Sante in Anacortes

• Two Sling launches (big and little) but no Ramp (keeping your trailer out of salt water is a good thing) may require reservation or waiting in line, not 24/7 use
• Fee parking, long term, short term  (rv parking too) fees add up fast
• Restaurants, bathrooms, showers
• Transient boat docks for overnight visits
• A few major stores near by (Safeway is across street)
• Fuel dock, pump out
• Closest to Friday Harbor and inner island area

Not very far, but overlooked is La Conner on the Swinomish Channel

• big and little travel lifts (sling) at several marinas (may need reservations)
• one lane public city ramp with float, 24/7 use, all tides except minus
• inexpensive, limited parking at ramp but pay parking at marinas
• transient docks for overnights at marina and along city seawall  (really nice stopover place for lunch or the night at  three city floats)   Tip  you really should visit La Conner by boat or car
• quaint restaurants, quite a few, all walking distance
• no name brand major stores but a very well stocked local store is a short walk, and they have block ice too (open pretty late too)
• fuel and pump outs
• closest to Deception Pass and heading south to Puget Sound area
• La Conner has been our home base where we moor the boat for summers now for several years. They have lots of slips available, unlike Cap Sante and Squalicum.

Best kept secret is Cornet Bay at Deception Pass State Park 
Cornet Bay is my second ramp choice, and I use it if my plans call for easy access to the southern area, and most importantly long term hassle free parking and 24/7 usage. Tip   Great place to spend several days hanging on your anchor or at the dock when Rosario strait is foggy.

• four lane all tides ramps and floats
• lots of long term fee parking ($10+ day)
• transient floats .60/ft
• small convenience store, short walk
• hiking trails
• small bathroom
• to get to the San Juans, you have the option of going through nearby Deception Pass or using Swinomish channel to avoid weather issues.
• on shore campgrounds 

Washington Park in Anacortes,  City park (campground) with ramp

• two lane ramp, and float
• limited fee parking, but long term, was $8 day
• subject to wakes
• bathrooms
• no overnight boat tie up, but you could anchor out
• on shore campground, would make good home base for day only boating
• just a few miles to stores in town
• absolute closest jump off point to San Juans

Twin Bridges Ramp at north end of Swinomish Channel (I have used once, I didn't like it)

• two lane county ramp with float
• strong current a lot of the time
• shallow at low tide
• horrible stinky bathroom
• questionable security in long term fee parking lot
• no stores
• no transient tie up

Oak Harbor

• ramp and travel lift
• long term parking
• stores are a few mile drive
• really not needed, other ramps are closer
• fuel and pump out

     All of the San Juan Islands have  county, resort, and marina boat ramps, but I have left them out because in all likelihood you will not be taking your boat and trailer on a ferry when going cruising. Never the less there are vacationers that rent houses and bring their boats with them for day outings and will find this guide equally useful.

The map below is much the same, but with many more names marked, and it's bigger so you can more easily read them. As you use this guide, come back here and find new places mentioned.

Scroll this picture if it is off your screen, clicking makes it smaller.