16 public floats and docks you should know about in the San Juan's

      Obstruction Pass           Blakely's                   Deer Harbor          Roche Harbor                 
          Friday Harbor               Jackson Beach           Hunter Bay           Prevost Harbor
          Washington Park           La Conner                 Eastsound             Odlin Park
          West Sound                   English Camp           Orcas Landing      Olga

     

When visiting the San Juan's many of us  head for the great marine state parks, and for good reason, that's where the floats, campgrounds and amenities are located that vacationers desire.

    However,  if you want to get off the boat and see something other than campers and boat people you have two choices. #1 dinghy ashore somewhere or #2 find a public dock and head out.  This list and description of San Juan area docks excludes the state parks because most marine state parks are landlocked or waterlocked leaving visitors with no opportunity to explore beyond the park.

Sixteen public docks, organized and listed in no particular order.

     Obstruction Pass, 

This county float and boat ramp is located just inside Obstruction Pass on the southern tip of Orcas Island.  Nearby pass traffic wakes make this a punishing place to tie up even for just the two hours allowed, however rendezvousing with friends on shore or heading out on bicycles for a strenuous ride to the top of Mount Constitution may be just what's needed to round out a perfect cruise. Tip: For longer visits, anchor nearby after dropping off passengers and bikes, then drag the dinghy up onto the float or shore. Your boat will thank you when you return

Obstruction Pass county dock in red circle at top
Blakely's at bottom

     Blakely's 

Blakely's is a conveniently located fuel dock about halfway between 

everywhere we go in the San Juan's. 

They are just inside Peavine Pass on Blake Island. On shore is a small store and deli bar famous for ice cream cones to savor on the lush waterfront lawns. Grazing deer share the lawn so watch your step. The dock is rather long with plenty of room on both sides to tie up big and little yachts and still not interfere with those getting fuel. They offer overnight marina slips in a very protected tiny cove. The island and roads are private so boaters may not leave the resort property.

Fuel and store dock at Blakelys is long and you may tie up on either side to avoid wind or current issues.

     Deer Harbor

 Deer Harbor is on the west end of Orcas Island at the end of the road is diminutive Deer Harbor community and marina. 

 You may purchase fuel and snacks, get ice and rent a slip. The county dock is actually the same dock as the fuel float. Simply tie up out of the way just past the fuel dispenser.  The county section is painted yellow and accommodates several runabouts or one large yacht. This is an excellent jump-off point for kayakers heading for Jones Island or dropping off people catching the San Juan Transit minibus. The bay out front is calm and rogue wakes are few, anchoring room is abundant, restrooms, showers and laundry are on the wharf.

If you squint, looking under the main wharf at Deer Harbor, you can see the yellow painted county dock.

San Juan area campgrounds with boat ramps

      If camping is your primary activity and your boat is for day use such as exploring, fishing and crabbing, 
you will find these parks of interest.

On the mainland:

Washington Park in Anacortes - located one mile past the ferry landing.

Washington Park boat ramp in Anacortes

Excerpt from their website: In the campground there are 68 campsites, 46 have water and electrical hook-ups. These rent for $27 a night. There are 22 non-utility sites that rent for $21 per night. There are 25 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that reservations must be made 14 days in advance. A sewer dump station is located near the park exit. Camping check-in and check-out time is 1 p.m. The campground is open year round. Please note: Maximum stay limit is 14 days. Visit the reservation website.  click here >> Washington Park The boat launch at Washington Park was developed and is maintained for the specific use of recreational boaters. Boat launch parking is $9/day and boaters may stay a maximum of 14 days. The two lane launch ramp is suitable for all trailer-able boats, power or sail.  You may not overnight at dock, but may anchor nearby. Ramp is a short walk to campground.

Deception Pass State Park - roughly ten miles south of Anacortes.  It is important to note some of the differences between Washington Park and Deception Pass Park.  While Deception Pass camp sites exceed three hundred in three different campgrounds, none are walking distance to the four lane boat ramp at Cornet Bay. However the modern well designed boat ramp claims to have two thousand feet of side tie moorage and overnight at the dock for up to three nights is allowed. Anchoring close by is simple and free. The ramp parking lot is massive and long term is allowed for a fee.

Four lane all tide - Cornet Bay ramp at Deception Pass Park is open 24/7

Lastly: Those putting in at Washington Park will be much closer to the inner island area after simply crossing Rosario Strait (four miles), but those putting in at Cornet Bay will have to deal with the pass and a longer run up Rosario or an even longer run through Swinomish Channel. These are not insignificant differences and should be well considered according to your overall plan before making your decision.

In the Islands:

Odlin County Park on Lopez Island

Odlin park has thirty one campsites and reservations are a good idea.  The boat ramp is sub parr at best and is not suitable for anything but a small skiff and a four wheel drive. There is no ramp dock and best used at high tide only. The ramp is a short walk to the campground.

San Juan County Park on San Juan Island

San Juan park is very similar to Odlin park with twenty six sites, they also take reservations.

The boat ramp is also sub parr and should only be considered for skiffs being hauled with four wheel drives, again the ramp is in the park and there is no float.

Moran State Park on Orcas Island is a State Park as is Deception Pass. 

They boast over one hundred campsites, some suitable for RV's.  Moran park is not ocean front and does not have a salt water ramp, however it is only five miles to the county boat ramp at Obstruction Pass.

  A private park alternative on Orcas Island is West Beach Resort in Eastsound

 They have camping, docks, fuel, deli store and a boat ramp, suitable for skiffs and four wheel drives.

San Juan Island: 

 If you take your skiff to San Juan Island and stay at a private residence, rental or hotel you can put the boat in at Jackson Beach day use park. The ramp is well designed, has parking and a dock. Jackson Beach is about two miles from Friday Harbor.

Ferries and trailers:

        Don't forget to check the ferry schedules and fares, hauling trailers on the ferry can get expensive and frustrating - very few cruisers do it!

My recommendation for mainland camping is that you get a reservation and camp at Washington Park, 
the run time to Friday Harbor is under an hour, the entire San Juan area will be at your door.

Click below to see a satellite view of Washington Park

The Fastest Way to the San Juans On Your Own Boat Begins in Anacortes at Washington Park or Cap Sante

Traveling to the San Juan's requires a starting point,
 a jump off point where you can leave your rig.
"Washington Park" and "Cap Sante Boat Haven" in Anacortes fill the bill.

Washington park has a campground

 and a boat ramp with a float.  You can reserve your camp site in advance, launch and retrieve your boat every day to make day trips, or take an extended cruise into the islands knowing your campground is waiting for you when you return.  You may also choose to not stay at the campground, just launch your boat, and leave your car and trailer in the long term parking lot while you're in the San Juans.

Cap Sante does not have a ramp but has a sling 

and a travel lift to launch your boat, they can also assist stepping sailboat masts. Guest space is usually available at the dock and long term parking for your car and trailer are just steps away.  You should make arrangements ahead of time for the travel lift and guest docks

There are several other places I recommend over these two depending on where I'm going and other plans.

Take a look at this post >>    Trailer boat ramps

Click Anacortes below for satellite view