![]() If higher winds and waves are predicted, we will run the loop in reverse or even make both runs through the protected waters of Saratoga Passage and Swinomish Channel.Ĭruising the San Juans seems to offer endless options, and we have so many favorite anchorages that we tend to keep our itinerary open, factoring in wind predictions and our whims on length of stay. From there, we pick up the help of the flood tide as we continue north to Haro Strait, Cattle Pass, or Rosario Strait. If the weather is settled on our departure from Seattle, we'll head north through Admiralty Inlet with the ebb tide, timing slack tide for once we pass Point Partridge on the west coast of Whidbey Island. We enjoy cruising both routes on the same trip as a loop that allows flexibility in weather exposure and diversity of stopovers and scenery. A more protected route, with fewer and smaller commercial vessels to encounter, is available through Saratoga Passage and the Swinomish Channel. The San Juan Islands can seem remote and, for many, navigating the tidal currents, weather, and commercial traffic in Admiralty Inlet and across the Strait of Juan De Fuca to access them can be intimidating. The San Juan archipelago is made of some 170 islands peppered with beautiful anchorages, friendly towns, and great crabbing opportunities (in season, of course) roughly 60 miles north of Seattle. Although we enjoy all of our outings on Bella Bella - from evening cruises on Elliott Bay to take in the picturesque Seattle skyline with friends, to long weekends at nearby Blake Island State Park - our favorite cruises are longer trips through the San Juan Islands and back. Dock it boat loop free#This location near our house offers quick and convenient access to Puget Sound, allowing us to squeeze out some free moments from our busy lives between work, household responsibilities, and kid activities. We moor our 40-foot 1978 Ocean Alexander on the highly industrial Duwamish Waterway in Seattle. While there are other loops one could do out here on the left coast, here are three of our favorites (from north to south). We pulled together three loops that can be done in anywhere from four to seven days, depending on how much you want to relax. With that in mind, I reached out to three friends with lots of boating experience to get their takes on some of the West Coast loops I know they've done. While preparing for a loop off the West Coast might involve more intense offshore planning (and maybe a little more courage) than eastern sailors are accustomed to, the beauty and power of the Pacific can be awe-inspiring, and you might even see a few whales along the way. Despite our reputation for cold, deep water and a scarcity of ports, we have some amazing loops enjoyed by sailors and powercruisers alike. Due to its combination of geology and climate, the relatively shallow, warm waters of the Atlantic Coast offer some spectacular venues and inland waterways unlike anything else in the county.īut we live on the West Coast. A few years back, BoatUS Magazine ran an informative article about the many "mini-loop" options weekend boaters can enjoy - on the East Coast. ![]()
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