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Example 7 Day Itineraries
Sailing in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands offers many options for scenic day sails to secluded anchorages and historic towns. The following are three itineraries that offer a variety of maritime experiences in a manageable amount of time. Each trip takes into consideration distances, destinations and back up options along the way to give the crew a manageable experience with enough time for anchoring or exploring the destinations. Each day alternates between evenings in marinas and evenings at anchor in locations typically protected from the weather. The goal for each day is to enjoy the morning without rushing, sailing for four to six hours, arriving at the destination before sunset, with time to explore. If you plan to go ashore while at anchor, consider bringing a dinghy tender. As always, research each destination, marinas, anchorages as part of your trip planning using official and reliable sources such as Waggoneers Cruising Guide, charts, tides & currents, marine weather and the websites for the marinas and state parks (links provide below).
North & Central Puget Sound
Day 1 – Shilshole to Port Townsend. Stay at historic Point Hudson Marina. Explore this classic maritime town and have dinner at many nice restaurants and bars.
Backup options: 1) Boat Haven Marina located west of town, 2) Public Dock located just west of entrance to Point Hudson Marina, 3) Anchorage just east of Boat Haven Marina.
Day 2 – Port Townsend to Port Ludlow: Spend the evening at anchor in a secluded and safe easy anchorage.
Backup options: 1) Port Ludlow Marina 2) Travel further south to the town of Kingston, spend the evening at the marina and dine at local restaurants and bars.
Day 3 – Port Ludlow to Poulsbo via Agate Pass: Explore this town with a Scandinavian history and have dinner at many nice restaurants and bars.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage just in front of the Poulsbo marina. 2) Anchorage in Manzanita Bay just south of the Agate Pass bridge prior to reaching Poulsbo.
Day 4 – Poulsbo to Blake Island State Park via Rich Passage: Stay at the State Park marina or on one of the many available mooring buoys.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage in Blakely Harbor just north of Blake Island and west of Blakely Rock.
Day 5 – Blake Island State Park to Eagle Harbor: Spend the day sailing in Elliot Bay with scenic views of downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier, Washington State Ferries and cargo ships coming and going from the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Dock in Eagle Harbor Marina or the Winslow Public Dock. Walk into town for shopping and dinner.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage inside Eagle Harbor.
Day 6 – Eagle Harbor to West Port Madison: Spend the last evening at anchor in secluded West Port Madison.
Backup options: 1) Suquamish Public Dock located just north west of West Port Madison.
Day 7 – Return to Shilshole
Central Puget Sound
Day 1 – Shilshole to Poulsbo via Agate Pass: Explore this historical town with a Scandinavian history and have dinner at many nice restaurants and bars.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage just in front of the Poulsbo marina. 2) Anchorage in Manzanita Bay just south of the Agate Pass bridge prior to reaching Poulsbo.
Day 2 – Poulsbo to Blake Island State Park via Rich Passage: Stay at the State Park marina or on one of the many available mooring buoys.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage in Blakely Harbor just north of Blake Island and west of Blakely Rock.
Day 3 – Blake Island to Dockton County Park in Quarter Master Harbor located on the west side of Vashon’s Maury Island (tip: since currents in Colvos Passage always run to the north, it’s better to travel southbound down east side of Vashon island). Spend the evening at anchor in the secluded anchorage of Dockton County Park.
Backup options: There are at least three available marinas in Tacoma just across Commencement Bay south of the entrance to Quarter Master Harbor. 1) Foss Waterway Seaport Marina Public dock 2) Crow’s Nest Marina 3) Foss Harbor Marina.
Day 4 – Quarter Master Harbor to Gig Harbor: Stay at one of the many marinas in Gig Harbor. Explore this historical fishing town and have dinner at many nice restaurants and bars in town.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage in Gig Harbor is spacious and secure.
Day 5 – Gig Harbor to Eagle Harbor: Sail north through Colvos Passage to spend an evening in Eagle Harbor. Dock in Eagle Harbor Marina or the Winslow Public Dock. Walk into town for shopping and dinner.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage inside Eagle Harbor 2) Blakley Harbor located west of Blakeley Rock, south of entrance to Eagle Harbor
Day 6 – Eagle Harbor to West Port Madison: Spend the last evening at anchor in secluded West Port Madison.
Backup options: 1) Suquamish Public Dock located just north west of West Port Madison.
Day 7 – Return to Shilshole
San Juan Islands
Day 1 – Shilshole to Port Townsend. Stay at Point Hudson Marina. Explore this historical maritime town and have dinner at many nice restaurants and bars.
Backup options: 1) Boat Haven Marina located west of town, 2) Public Dock located just west of entrance to Point Hudson Marina, 3) Anchorage just east of Boat Haven Marina.
Day 2 – Port Townsend across the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Hunter Bay on Lopez Island through either Lopez Pass or Thatcher Pass. Spend the evening at anchor.
Backup options: 1) Spencer Spit State Park located just north of Hunter Bay, stay at either mooring buoys or at anchor.
Day 3 – Hunter Bay to Friday Harbor via Upright Channel. Explore the town, shops, restaurants, and bars.
Backup options: 1) Plan ahead to reserve a slip at Friday Harbor Marina 2) Anchorage north of Friday Harbor Marina.
Day 4 – Friday Harbor to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island via San Juan Channel and the channel along south side of Speiden Island. Spend the evening at anchor.
Backup options: 1) Roche Harbor Marina or anchorage
Day 5 – Reid Harbor to Roche Harbor. Explore scenic Roche Harbor and the historic marina.
Backup options: 1) Anchorage in Roche Harbor or in Garrison or Westcott Bays which can be reached through Mosquito Pass.
Day 6 – Roche Harbor to Port Townsend via Haro Strait and across the Straits of Juan de Fuca (tip: plan for plenty of time to cross the Straits; and plan your entrance into Puget Sound at Admiralty Inlet at slack or flood tide to avoid fighting the ebb tide current).
Backup options: 1) Continue south to Port Ludlow. 2) Mooring buoys at Pt. Wilson State Park 3) Boat Haven Marina located west of Port Townsend 4) Public Dock located just west of entrance to Point Hudson Marina, 5) Anchorage just east of Boat Haven Marina.
Day 7 – Return to Shilshole
Helpful Sources
Here are a few excellent sources…there are many more available.
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