San Juan Sailing
Join us aboard Finnessa for your San Juan Islands sailing cruise. Whether this will by your first time for a San Juan Islands sailing trip or you have had many San Juan Island charters, we are sure you will see something new and different.
The San Juan Islands continually unfold their beauty throughout the sailing season from May through October. San Juan Islands sailing in May sees far fewer visitors as many locals have yet to get spring commissioning finished. We try hard to be ready for your exclusive San Juan Islands charter by early May. As we sail the San Juans, spring unfolds. The Canadian Geese and their goslings abound. Wood ducks, pintails and uncounted shore birds are all in the height of their spring mating ritual, nesting and feeding to prepare for the arrival of their young. Bald Eagles are often seen on your San Juan Islands sailing adventure soaring on the breeze looking for fish near the surface to feed on. Kayak near shore with one of our solo boats to view up close the bloom along the rocks of the intertidal zone. Hike the Islands observing the first wildflowers of the season. May and June also have more consistent winds than July and August making this a great time to take your American Sailing Association (ASA) classes. We offer ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing (101), Basic Coastal Cruising (103) and Bareboat Chartering (104). These classes are available as private for a party of up to four, again no mixed groups is the normal at Island Passages Sailing so you have our full attention. If you are on a San Juan Islands sailing charter in May, expect fair weather with some showers, but generally nice with temperatures ranging from daytime highs in the low 50’s to mid 60’s. June generally dries out with just occasional showers, highs near 60 to mid 70’s although 80’s have been seen in late June.
July and August are Prime Season for a San Juan Islands sailing cruise. The weather is generally dry and warm with temperatures mostly in the 70’s. This maritime climate tends to even out day/night temperatures with a difference of only 10-15 degrees F. The cool ocean water is very tempting for a swim when the temperature reaches the mid 80’s or higher. San Juan Islands sailing tours during this time of year are the best for finding Orca whales chasing salmon passing through the San Juans on their way to spawn along the coast.
September and October bring cooler weather and more consistent winds. Temperatures are similar although generally warmer than June and May. The harbors and bays once again have that less crowded feel with choice spots often available. This is the time to get in your San Juan Islands cruise as the season is fading. ASA lessons are also good now so you can be prepared for your Caribbean or Florida Keys winter charter vacation.
Whatever the season, join us for your San Juan Islands sailing adventure. Whether it’s a San Juan Islands charter or a Canadian excursion, call Island Passages Sailing today to book your San Juan Islands sailing vacation. Three, five and twelve-day charters are available by special request to reach unique destination. Shorter or longer charters are pro-rated–contact us for rates. We not only customize your length of stay with us but also what your trip includes. Despite that, we are always willing to guide you in planning a San Juan Islands sailing voyage based on our knowledge of the area. The following descriptions give the highlights of some of those choices.
Our cruises usually start at 12 noon when you are welcomed aboard, shown your sleeping quarters and given an orientation on the unique features of our 43 foot Nauticat Pilothouse Ketch. Your San Juan Islands sailing adventure often begins as we leave Anacortes sailing north to Samish Bay in the shadow of Mt. Baker where we practice basic maneuvers. We may spend our first night on northern Cypress Island either Eagle Harbor or Pelican Beach, both DNR marine parks with moorings. There is great hiking here as well as several interesting coves to explore by kayak.
On the second day of your San Juan Islands sailing tour, we may sail to Sucia Island, a state marine park with great hiking and the best sandstone sculptures to explore by kayak. Along the way, we pass Lummi Rocks, several NWR islands, Clark Island, Barnes Island and Matia Island. The route always depends somewhat on the current and how the wind blows –after all we are supposed to be sailing!
If we then follow Boundary Pass which leads to Roche Harbor during your San Juan Islands sailing trip, you can go ashore to see the Afterglow Vista Mausoleum or the lime quarry, both remnants of the McMillin family legacy in Roche Harbor. There is a great restaurant here if you wish this to be your meal ashore which can be followed with the striking of the colors at 9pm. We will spend the night at anchor here if we watch the striking of the colors. Or we can spend the night at Garrison Bay, site of English camp from the famous Pig War of San Juan Island. If you like oysters we can dinghy over to the Westcott Bay Oyster farm and pick up some fresh ones. Time ashore can be spent visiting the old fort here dating from1872, the formal gardens or hike to the British military cemetery and Young Hill
We try to keep an eye out and our ears tuned to the radio to make one day a whale watching day. This is often as we cruise down the west side of the San Juan Islands sailing area past Lime Kiln Point and then back north to Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island. Hiking ashore is one of our favorite ways to explore the islands. To do this at Stuart Island, you can take either a short trip to Turn Point State Park or a longer hike past the Stuart Island historic school then on to Turn Point and back.
Kayaking is another favorite pastime that is frequently a pleasant introduction to any new place that we anchor. It allows us to get close to the shoreline to view nature that is otherwise difficult to see. We anchor in a variety of places to give you a more complete feeling for the islands, some as quiet and secluded as Parks Bay on Shaw Island where the only ones sharing the anchorage may be herons and eagles. In contrast, we may anchor outside of Rosario Resort. Many of our San Juan Islands sailing vacations include a sail to this last site up Eastsound on Orcas Island to take in an afternoon performance of the Moran pipe organ and tour the historic buildings.
At the end of your time aboard our San Juan Islands sailing yacht, we will head back early to Anacortes for a noon vessel departure, leaving time for transportation back home or exploring Anacortes on your own.
Are you ready for an exciting San Juan Islands sailing experience?
Join us aboard Finnessa for a luxury cruise of a lifetime.
