Six day itinerary - San Juan Islands:
Using "Northwind" as your base you will explore both quiet coves on secluded islands (only accessable by boat) to quaint towns and resorts. The four major islands are Orcas, San Juan, Shaw and Lopez. Each island is unique with its own story to tell. The San Juans are filled with interesting history, from smuggling to the "infamous" pig war. Since 1986, we have shown people the joys of sailing some of the best cruising grounds in the world! Welcome aboard "Northwind" and let us pamper you for a week and discover for yourself the delightfully relaxed pace that a sailing vacation can bring.
There are many variations to this itinerary. If you book the entire boat we can plan a custom itinerary for your group. If you're not sure where to go, we will take you to some of our favorite spots. Sit back and relax and let's take a short cruise through the islands.
Sunday 2:00PM: Welcome aboard "Northwind," your home for the next 6 days. You are going to love your cruise with us! After you arrive we will show you to your cabin and have a brief orientation to familiarize you with being aboard the yacht. Shortly we will leave Bellingham and take a casual sail across the bay towards Lummi Island. You will want to be up on deck or in the covered cockpit for the best view of 10,778 ft Mt. Baker!
If anyone wants a crack at the wheel, we will show you what to do! We head up Hales Passage and then pass isolated Clark Island, a favorite of kayakers. Off to our port side is Matia Island. Matia has a small Washington State Marine Park and much of the island is protected by the Nature Conservancy because of its large bird population. It's getting late so we better sail on to beautiful Sucia Island, our destination. We will serve some appetizers to hold you over until dinner. Sucia is one of our favorite islands, translated from the Spanish the name means "foul" and refers to the rocks and reefs that surround the island.
Sucia is perhaps one of the most interesting islands in the area for geology and wildlife. It is the largest of the Marine Parks and is actually composed of several little islands surrounding one main island. There are several coves to choose from - Echo Bay on the east side has lovely views of Mt. Baker, and Shallow Bay on the west side is known for its sunsets. Which do you prefer? OK, lets drop anchor and get dinner going...
Monday: After exploring Sucia we set course for Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. On our way to we sail up the west side of Orcas Island (we often see porpoise here). You may even catch a glimpse of abandoned lime kilns hidden in the forest along the shore. We will serve lunch underway today. Arriving in Roche the beautiful Hotel De Haro (once the home of Limestone king John McMillan) will greet you along with a cute little white church, a beautiful garden and an unusual monument.
There is also the remains of the 13 lime kilns that helped pave the streets of Seattle in the late 1800's. After a short stay we motor up Mosquito Pass to Garrison Bay where British Camp is located, the quaint museum/monument for the "Pig War" that took place between the Americans and British on San Juan Island. Need more exercise? There is a great hike nearby to a viewpoint at the top of Mt. Young where British soldiers once stood watch. We often spot Orca whales nearby off the west side of San Juan Island and the salmon fishing can be good near here in the Fall. If you want to try some of the best oysters you'll ever taste, we will hop in the zodiac and pay a visit to Westcott Bay Sea Farms and pick up a few dozen for an appetizer.
Tuesday: Keep an eye out for Orca whales, this is where we usually spot them! If they are around you're in for a real treat! Often we have over 20 whales swimming near our boat and it's a mad dash for your camera! We set course for Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island. This is a well protected spot with some farms owned by islanders. We are just a few miles from the Canada/U.S. border and we will see the large ships heading up Boundary Pass for Vancouver and beyond. There are some great hiking trails to a beautiful lighthouse, a one room schoolhouse, and to a viewpoint of Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains. You might encounter a herd of wild goats, deer or see a wild mink or even a family of otter!
Wednesday: Weigh anchor at Prevost and head for Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Friday Harbor is the hub of the islands. A cute little town that has much to offer. Because the ferry stops here it can be a bustling spot. We will tie up to the dock to reprovision and spend the night. You will enjoy looking at the shops, renting a bike or moped, or visiting the Whale Museum or art galleries. Tonight you eat out ashore to give the crew a break...we have some great recommendations.
Thursday: Today we depart Friday Harbor for either Rosario Resort or a more isolated anchorage Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island. For those of you seeking more solitude you will enjoy the forested hills of Cypress Island where you can hike for hours on beautiful trails or enjoy a quiet paddle in the kayak. We will drop our shrimp pots nearby to attempt to catch the local Spot Prawns - a real treat! Cypress is another of our favorite islands as it has a remote, wild and rugged feel.
If you choose Orcas Island for your last night...
Rosario was built by shipbuilder Robert Moran as his personal home. It is filled with interesting history and sits on a rise overlooking Eastsound. Rosario also offers some good hikes to nearby lakes, Cascade Falls and Mt. Constitution. For a fee, guests aboard Northwind will have full access to the spa facilities which include swimming pools, hot tub, sauna, etc. Or pamper yourself with a body massage or facial. Our past charters rave about their spa experiences and it's a relaxing way to end your week in the islands.
Friday: You have seen some beautiful islands and some spectacular wildlife! You have enjoyed the amenities of "Northwind" and you have feasted on some of the best cuisine in the islands from our own Chef Jet. You now feel relaxed and pampered. Most of our guests are now friends, so saying goodbye is not easy for any of us. You have grown attached to your cabin and all the good naps you caught there in the afternoon. Sorry, it is time to return you to the real world. So a little sad and yet very content we chart our final leg back to Bellingham. We should return by noon, weather and tides permitting.
