If you have come here in the past and not on your private yacht chances are you took a ferry ride and got off at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. You probably remember Friday Harbor as the quaint immensely walk-able seaside town dominated by a marina and ferry terminal.
I want to reinforce that memory and add this
If you have only one day and can visit only one place in the San Juans, go to Friday Harbor. Whether by boat, on foot, bike or car, make Friday Harbor that choice.
No I don't have stock in Friday Harbor, but I would if I could. I'm simply trying to pass on the information you need to have a great boat trip. The truth is we will make half a dozen visits and not go to Friday Harbor, but that's because we have been there many times and are interested in other places too.
The marina is really big and we have never been turned away for lack of a place to tie up. Their policy is to never turn away boaters, they just keep rafting. (for those new to the term rafting, it means to tie your boat to another boat)
I will not attempt to describe everything to do and see, for now lets just zero in on new boaters needs.
- If your planning to get a slip, you may call and make a reservation or simply show up. You should call on the radio or use your cell phone when you are inside the harbor at the breakwater floats.
- If your just stopping by for a few hours to walk into town for food etc. all you need to do is tie up at a break water float (either side) Boaters move in and out constantly, if there is no room, wait a minute or call the harbormaster for an empty slip. You may stay for a few hours compliments of San Juan County.
- If for some reason you want to anchor, you will find a little crowded area on the right side past the docks where a small boat can squeeze in and drop a hook and then only paddle the dinghy a hundred feet, but there is a much nicer large bay to the right of the port (as viewed from your boat) where there is lots of room, and its only a really short paddle in your dinghy over to the port dinghy dock under the gangplank. Of course you may anchor for free and stay as long as you want. This bay will get crowded on the 4th of July. (that means come early) But not near as crowded as Roche.
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| At Friday Harbor, anchor by the upper red dot, bring your dinghy in at the lower red dot |
Roche harbor
is not a city, it is private resort, but is so popular that it may as well be a city. They offer customs check in, a well stocked store, restaurants, expansive floats and slips where hundred foot yachts frequent. On shore are hiking, sights, historic gardens....
Anchoring room in the bay goes on for miles. The above picture of Roche was on the 4th of July. Yes it was hectic and confusing and drove the admiral crazy, but in reality there was lots of room and you should have been there too.
Roche Harbor is considered by some to be
the premier destination in the San Juans.
If your coming to the San Juans, you should make sure
to visit three destinations.
Rosario
Roche Harbor
Friday Harbor
Tip These are the three places that you will wish you had checked out.
Sooner or later you will need to a place to anchor for nightfall, lunch, fog, high wind or waves. If you knew when or why in advance you probably wouldn't be there. Thats why you need to know about the three anchor spots below.
Garrison Bay is a medium size shallow bay off of Roche Harbor. Garrison is a good place to get away from the hustle of Roche for some peace and quiet, it's much smaller and so will have less of everything, especially wakes from inconsiderate dinghy drivers heading for the floats at Roche. On shore is historic "English Camp." You should check out the formal garden the troops kept tidy while stationed there. The small float makes it very easy to go ashore. Garrison Bay would be a good place to leave your boat anchored for extended periods. It would also make an excellent home base for bicycling San Juan Island.
Sooner or later you will need to a place to anchor for nightfall, lunch, fog, high wind or waves. If you knew when or why in advance you probably wouldn't be there. Thats why you need to know about the three anchor spots below.
- Parks Bay
- Indian Cove
- Garrison Bay
Garrison Bay is a medium size shallow bay off of Roche Harbor. Garrison is a good place to get away from the hustle of Roche for some peace and quiet, it's much smaller and so will have less of everything, especially wakes from inconsiderate dinghy drivers heading for the floats at Roche. On shore is historic "English Camp." You should check out the formal garden the troops kept tidy while stationed there. The small float makes it very easy to go ashore. Garrison Bay would be a good place to leave your boat anchored for extended periods. It would also make an excellent home base for bicycling San Juan Island.
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| Garrison Bay is where to anchor for some peace and quiet near Roche Harbor |
Indian Cove is on Shaw
Island across the channel from Odlin Park (Lopez Island) It's very
protected and there really is nothing on shore so you will just use this spot
as a rest stop that is better than nearby Odlin which is not protected
but has shore attractions. In a more perfect world we would combine
Indian Cove and Odlin Park.
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| All four places are there when you need them to anchor. Odlin has a float but also is open to wakes, and you will always have wakes at Odlin. No floats at the others just drop the hook and go to sleep. |
Parks Bay is on Shaw Island almost directly
across the channel from Friday Harbor. Once again it is just a protected
place to anchor for the night. For me, I would run twenty minutes across to
Friday because I like going ashore and walking the city.
Pictures Still to come
