San Juan Islands map and milage chart

Popular Parks, Cities and Destinations With Distance Mileage Chart

Use the chart below the map to find the approximate distance between points.  Sea miles were calculated by plotting the most direct route.  Tides and currents may dictate following a different route.

Click below for a satellite view of  Cattle Pass

Quick distance chart from where you are to where you want to be in the San Juan Islands

   Every skipper needs to know how far it is from A to B.

      Here's a handy chart with the work already done, the distances are via the shortest route.

                                  First published 7/30/2016   

Note: The shortest route may not be the fastest or best route when currents and other issues are taken into account!
These numbers are approximate, and were derived by simply clicking "measure route" on a chart. Since making this chart I have come across several u-tube videos with distances that don't agree with  mine. Be sure to not rely on others and do your own calculations. 

When you are rushing from place to place, be very careful around unfamiliar surroundings so that you don't get a surprise.  The best advice is to slow down and keep watch.  Follow this link to learn of some shockers.  > Eight nasty surprises

Ten Best Parks of the San Juan Islands

What and where are the San Juans 

ten best parks?

      Picking the best of anything is asking for an argument but I thought folks planning a visit would benefit from the discussion.

     Let's start by listing my choices in order of best first, first because they have overnight docks,  followed by some pros and cons and a few real world comments.  (hopefully I haven't omitted your favorite)  Keep in mind, we go to all the parks and don't dislike any but  there is no doubt some parks are five star and some are not depending on what we are doing or the weather during that particular cruise.

     For a more detailed review of the San Juan area marine parks including maps try this post.  marine parks

parks with docks

• Jones Island   

• Matia

• Sucia - Fossil Bay

• James Island

• Stuart Island  (Prevost & Reid Harbor)

• Sharpe Cove and Cornet Bay at Deception Pass

parks without docks

• Saddlebag Island

• Pelican Beach

• Turn Island

• Eagle Harbor

• Cypress Head

• Patos

• Sucia   (Echo and Shallow bays)

• Spencer Spit

• Odlin County Park  (has 2 hr dock)

• Clark Island

• Doe Island

• Obstruction Pass

• Sidney Spit Marine Park (Canada) (has overnight dock)

• Washington Park  (launching ramp only dock)

• San Juan County Park

• Shaw Island Park

1 - Jones Island is my number one choice and here's why

       Pros:

• bigger but not biggest dock

• protected bay 

• great dinghy beach with a couple tidepools

• anchor buoys and lots of room to anchor

• running water and four nice nearby composters

• hiking the many loop trails at Jones never gets boring

• tiny deer, many tame, are unique to Jones

• dock is very close to camp sites for evening fires

• close to Deer Harbor for supplies

        Cons:

• crowds sometimes

• long ways back to the mainland

• open to north wind

• no bicycle trails

  2 - Matia Island never disappoints us.

        Pros:

• very small intimate dock for four boats

• usually room when we arrive

• small protected bay holds about four more boats

• great gravel beach

• multiple coves for beachcombing

• puffins, seals and eagles and great sunsets

• unique rain forest one mile or less loop trail

• somewhat close to Squalicum Harbor (2-3 hours)

• restroom at top of gangplank

• Matia is a peaceful quiet special place

click here for the rest