- 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 (short walks)
- 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 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)
- Restaurants, quite a few, all walking distance
- No major stores but a very well stocked local store is a short walk
- Fuel and pump outs
- Closest to Deception Pass and heading south to Puget Sound area
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. (daily fee)
- four lane all tides ramps and floats
- lots of long term fee parking ($10+ day)
- transient floats
- small convenience store, short walk
- hiking trails
- small bathroom
- 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. This is your choice for car camping with a boat you take out for day trips. Call for reservations is a must.
- two lane ramp, and float
- limited fee parking, but long term, or park at your camp site
- 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 or large groups where some stay in camp while others go 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 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
Oak Harbor
- ramp and travel lift
- long term parking
- stores are a few mile drive
- really not needed, others are much 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.
There are numerous other places to get your boat in the water, for instance if you have a planing boat and your a glutton for punishment, you could begin in Olympia at Swantown Marina. Then in one day motor all the way to Victoria or the San Juans. We did the reverse route in one day, and then drove to Portland arriving after midnight, never again (I hope).
Tip Do yourself a favor and start at Squalicum Harbor
