Anchorages | Water Dog Site

Stuart Island To Sucia Island State Park

July 8^th, Stuart Island To Sucia Island State Park

Trip Length 14 nm

We decided to spend a night anchored out at Sucia Island Fossil Bay.

The anchorage at fossil Bay is mostly taken up by moorings and there is not much room to anchor so we ended up fairly far out in the cove with no protection from the South East. In the calm conditions was no problem and we had a great view out over the water outside bay.

After walking the Island there is a lot more room in Echo Bay where you can anchor in great spots and if Shallow Bay, on the west side with green/red markers at entrance, has enough depth it looked nice also. Both Echo and Shallow had nice beaches to dinghy too.

Sucia Isalnd Fossil, Echo and Shallow Bays

We took a very nice hike around the perimeter of the island where the trail crosses over from Fossil Bay dock over around the bottom to the most North west point of Echo Bay. On the way back we cut over to the trail with the red/green markers at Shallow Bay on the west side of Sucia.

Once we got to Echo Bay we could see that there are plenty of nice anchorage spots there verses the tightly spaced Fossil Bay.

No dock at Echo Bay for dogs but beach looked good for dinghy landing at end of bay.

At the North West point of Echo is a nice clean beach for dog swimming to reward you for the walk.

We then back tracked down the trail and took a right to go over to the trail skirting the dinghy beach at Shallow Bay.

Fishermans Bay To Stuart Island State Park

July 6 and 7^th, Fishermans Bay To Stuart Island State Park

Trip distance 14 nm

Got out of Fishermans Bay at around 1100 hours with a +3 tide so we would have plenty of depth on the way out. With our 5’3” draft never saw less than 5’ under keel.

Had a nice sunny day for the cruise over.

Went close along the south side of Speiden Island to see if we could spot any of the exotic animals which are supposed to be on the island but did not spot any.

We anchored in Reid Harbour but decided it would be nicer next time to be over on the other side in Prevost Harbour where the water is cleaner since more open to water flow on the tides.

We then took a ride to the dinghy dock past the moorings at the head of the bay.

We then walked over the hill, directly across from our dock, to Prevost Harbor dock and around to Charles Point and back.

The next day we went left at dock across bottom of Reid Harbour over to public boat ramp where the road starts which you can take to the Turn Point Light House.

Along the public road you run in too the former school, which is now closed, where the Benson family have chests where you can buy shirts and hats with Stuart Island logo’s. It is based on the honor system where you pay later via their web page with credit card or PayPal.

Once you take a right on the public road then a left further down you end up at the BLM land Turnoing Point Light House

On the way back we took a slight detour to visit the very small town of Prevost where the islands ferry dock is located by heading straight down road instead of taking first right. Home steads line the street.

Friday Harbour To Fishermans Bay For July 4th

July 3-5^th Fisherman bay Anchor and Rendezvous with Tugzilla and other Nordic Tugs

Trip Length 5 nm

Note: We anchored in the middle of Bay just south of marina to be close to the dinghy dock for dog’s. If we where to do this again we would go down near the spit at south west end of bay to be directly underneath the fire works.

We left Friday harbor early so we would be going into Fisherman’s bay near high tide. Entrance to the bay is narrow and circuitous. We just went slow and no problems. We did notice the skelatons of former boats on the starboard side on the way in.

Busy bay already with lots of mooring balls and a lot of people already anchored. We found a spot which turned out to be great as it was right in line with the spit where fireworks were shot off on the fourth. We went to shore to let the dogs have a walk and then went to check out the spit in the dinghy at which time we saw the tug flotilla coming in.

We took photos of one and all and then hurried back to help with the raft up.

The raft was easy two boats on each side and our one mongo anchor. We had fun.

The first night went to dinner at the Galley restaurant. The next AM (the 4^th) Alex and I and the dogs walked up a road on the south side of the islander resort to a private community called Marina with empty lots. We followed some woman walking her dog and we ended up in a big field with a view of the bay, its was a good walk.

Took the dinghy’s into town (beached on rocky shore not great) and watched the parade, checked out the gallery, bakery and farmer’s market. We walked back as we had rode to town with Vince and Pam.

The Lopez Island Aquatic Group got the top prize for entertainment with their synchronized swimming in the back of float with plastic blow up legs sticking up with music.

Fishermans Bay 4th July Parade Lopez Island Aquatic Group

Patty then got to honk the horn on an old Ford, there was a horn button on a cord in Patty’s hand, and ride on the fender board for a bit.

Fishermans Bay 4th July Parade Patty on Fender Board

Fishermans Bay 4th July Parade Respect Human Rights

That night we barbecued, did some SUPing, and then worked hard to stay up until fireworks at 10:30pm. We did and it was a great show watched form back upper deck by us.

July 5^th we took the dogs in for a short walk and then tugs set off around 12 with us not far behind. Off to Stuart Island State Park.

Hunter’s Bay To Spencer’s Spit

June 26^th, Spencer Spit Anchor, no dinghy dock

Trip Length 5 nm

Cruised north up Lopez sound, around Frost island to north side of the spit to anchor for the night.

There is a tiny channel between frost island and the spit but not knowing these waters we went around Frost island. Then we saw TONS of boats use this short cut…

Spencer turned out not to be our favourite spot since beaches had a lot of scummy material on them and the hiking was sub par.

Dinghy to shore, walked on the beach and through the park. Not much hiking and beach was a bit dirty but we still had fun and dogs got some good swimming in.

I have learned dinghy docks are important as more dirt and mud and sand from dogs and us when we have to land dinghy on beach. RV Park did have nice spots that were fairly isolated so an RV park stay might be nice.

James Island To Hunter’s Bay Anchorage

June 25^th, Hunter’s Bay Anchor, South end of Lopez sound

Trip Length 5 nm

Anchored near the public boat ramp dock at hunter’s bay.

Walked the dogs and then took a nice bike ride to Iceberg Point. Passed MacKaye Harbor (which has a dinghy dock/boat ramp) and Agate beach. Mackaye Harbour and Barlow Bay looked like a really nice protected anchorage.

Last mile is a walk to the point after locking up bikes you go a little ways further down road lined with houses and take a right at the small Iceberg Point sign. Beautiful view of Strait of Juan de Fuca and northwest towards San Juan Island. Cooked a nice dinner then to bed.

Anacortes To James Island State Park Dock

June 24^th, James Island State Park Dock

Trip Length 8 nm

Now that we are in the San Juan islands our cruises are pretty short…5-15 miles it seems. We left Anacortes Sunday AM. Fog bank in Guemmes Channel with ¼ mile visibility…we were kind of used to fog with San Francisco so forge on.

We broke out of the fog in the middle of Rosario Strait so the rest of the short cruise to James Island State Park was sunny. This stop was a “maybe” as it did not have good anchoring…idea was to get a spot at state park dock or keep going. We secured a spot (a bit of a crash landing as current slammed us against the dock/no harm done).

We walked the few trails on the island which are very nice but pretty short going around the south side of island. We tried finding a trail on the North side but ended up bush wacking through some very steep parts that Patty did not like much but did see one deer. Once we got back to boat we cooked out on grill and then turned in.

The island does have some very nice camp sites with wonderful views that people can get dropped off at dock or kayak too.

It was rolly before bed but settled down in the evening.

Point Defiance to Poulsbo (Liberty Bay Anchorage)

June 16-19th, 2018

Trip Distance 29 nm

Headed out going North from Point Defiance early to get the outgoing tide. Went up Colvi passage on the inside of Vashon Island then snaked around to get up to Poulsbo.

Pronounced “paulsbo” as it was Pauls place when founded by Norweigans. Pouslbo was misspelling I think done by post office way back when and the name stuck. Another harbor town, some galleries and dining options. Economy here is all tourism: visitors by boat and land to walk the waterfront, eat ice cream etc…

We anchored out at Poulsbo for three nights in 14′ or so of water with nice mud bottom.

You will find the dinghy dock to the left at the fuel dock all the way in next to shore at the Port Of Poulsbo public dock. We missed it first time in since it is shared with fuel dock space. At the top of the dock is a nice park with green grass for the dog’s and room for a short walk to stretch your legs.

Poulsbo is near the head of Liberty bay. Liberty bay used to be dogfish bay as the stream that feeds it and the bay had a lot of dogfish (shark). The dog fish were harvested for their oil. When not in clouds we had a good view of Mt Rainer. Hazy most days we were here so not a clear view.

Pouslbo has a nice waterfront park and boardwalk. We hung out in Poulsbo several days as Alex was to receive a package Monday and it came late enough in the day we stayed until Tuesday.

We walk with dogs along bay to Fish park and nearby Nelson park. There are some cool murals under the bridge when we crossed under it from Fish Park to Nelson Park.

Ate at the Loft, recommended by locals and online. I had halibut tacos YUM and alex had the seafood Chimichunga which was recommended by the guy at the marine store. Also excellent corn and clam chowder.

We did have another biking adventure as we biked to the Walmart where Alex procured a fishing license and we got a few supplies. Then on to Petco for two 30lb bags of dog food. We strapped the bags on the back of the bikes. Took a non scenic way back to port (3 mile ride) but it was mostly down hill so we made it unscathered…now we have 90lbs of dog food on board should last ~9 weeks per my calculations. Tuesday AM went in to let the dogs do their business and Alex visited marine store a 3^rd and last time to exchange fuel pump bulb thingy for dinghy (we bought the wrong size Saturday and they were closed Monday!.

Seattle To Gig Harbor Anchorage

Had a nice cruise to Gig Harbor from Seattle. Overcast at times but also some sun. We left Bell harbor around 10:30 am which was a little earlier than Alex wanted …..as on the other end of the cruise we hit Gig harbor at LOW tide and it was a minus 3 tide. Chart said depth would be iffy so we turned around to delay a bit. However, I texted Wayne and he said they went through at low tide and had 12 feet. Also talked to another Sailing vessel who went in before us and said it should be 8 feet. We got through no problem and anchored out.

Took dogs in for a walk where you can take left at base of marina and walk down road to small park at Gig Harbor entrance. Also At base of public dock (which was nice but we did not use) was a nice green space Skanse Park..home of Skanse Net house. there are several old net houses along the harbor edge. Many converted to businesses but this one has been restored to the point one can see the stored nets etc. inside where the hosts described the equipment and nets displayed.

That night we had a nice dinner at the Tides Tavern where we tied dinghy at their dock for easy entry/exit.

We had breakfast at Net house 9 on their back deck the following day as well.

The next day was the farmer’s market in the PM. So in the AM we walked the dogs up to the head of the bay and checked out some other net houses, Eddon boat park, Donkey Creek Park (good for ball), the harbor History Museum which had an old fishing boat from the original fishing village (the Shenandoah which was a working purse seiner until maybe the 60s ? then sank and was donated by the owner). The vessel is a permanent exhibit and is being restored and also the guys were working on an Atlas engine Alex was interested in.

Shenandoah Being Rebuilt At Back Of Museum

Shenandoah Three cylinder Engine Being Restored To Non Working Condition

While we visited there were several children experiencing a one room schoolhouse complete with school marms in costume. We walked around the tip of the bay and briefly checked out the Donkey Creek City Park at then Crescent Creek Park.

On the way back we went to the farmer’s market at the marina, got some cherries and had them all eaten by the end of the day!