This post first appeared in this web site in 2011. Parking and launching fees at Cornet Bay have since gone up a little.
Camping, traveling, vacation rentals, condo's, and resorts on a budget,
Is it even possible?
Yes it is. Inexpensive (cheap) vacations are possible if you, "go by boat" or yacht as some say. The trick is to already own the yacht and then camp on it at all the great places. Think of it like going to RV parks only without the garish over the top land schooners parked in the best spots.
If you are a newbie to the San Juan Islands boating group, you may ask, Why is Deception Pass State Park Your Ideal Starting Point?
The Simple answer is that this Washington park has the best all-weather, all-tide launching ramp and long-term parking lot. Plus, Deception Pass is one of the places to see that you should not miss, and the Cornet Bay dock is a wonderful place to overnight or just hang out for a few days.
The Google photos above with labels will help you to orient yourself. Because slow boats must time their passage through the pass you may find yourself spending the night at the dock. I always plan to spend the first night at the dock because after driving six hours, rigging and launching my sailboat, it's late and I'm tired. My crew can fish, hike and race around in the dinghy while I take a break. The next day I'm ready to go, and cast off at slack tide which may be at noon or 9am. The time doesn't matter, I'm on vacation time now.
The launch fee is around $6, parking is $10/day and staying at the dock is 50 cents a foot. The ramp has three or four lanes with floats. Trailer parking is abundant and long-term. You can anchor out for free, anytime, anywhere. There is a fist of quarters shower that short times you in the bathroom. Lots of locals and campers come down to fish off the floats, but boats tying up have priority. Try explaining that to a fisherman.
It is a very short run out the pass, under the bridge and into the Strait of Juan De Fuca, where high seas or fog may cause you to change your plans, if so, just head the other way to Swinomish Channel. If you have never cruised the channel before, do it for sure, it only adds about 15 miles to your trip and is well worthwhile. Or when you come back a week or so later, use the channel, but try to work it into your plans. FYI, your boat will need to make 10 mph or better to overcome the worst of pass current, otherwise you will have to time it like the rest of us. Of course with a favorable current you can rush on through, but the standing waves can be pretty big at times and an open bow boat will seem like a poor choice. The pass is narrowest directly under the bridge, so you will have a fast current for only a very short distance.
You should run through Deception Pass for the beauty of it.
Next door is Canoe Pass,
and while navigable, Canoe Pass should only be used at slack water, it is very narrow and sight distance restricted right under the bridge. It is a little creepy when the whirlpools turn on and begin spinning you towards the rock cliff face. Sometimes, we take our 9' dinghy with its 7.5 hp motor around Pass Island and wave to the gawkers on the bridge, but when the flood or ebb starts cascading, a tiny little dinghy has no business in either pass.
When you come back a week or so later and are ready to head home you can wait for slack water outside the pass at the dock in Sharpe Cove or Bowman Bay.
I always spend my last night at the dock, and get a good rest for the long drive home.
Here's a link to the marine parks locating map marine parks maps etc. click here
Tall ship ghosting through the pass at high slack water (photo taken from the bridge)
In 60 minutes standing waves 3-6 feet tall may form and the current will be 5-8 mph
Swinomish Channel is itself a very picturesque not to miss
part of all great cruises.
I would be remiss to not point out that most boats can transit the pass a good deal before or after slack water, slack water is simply zero current like in the picture. Also, don't forget that Swinomish Channel is just around the corner and avoids the pass altogether.
