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The opening between Crane and Orcas Islands requires careful navigation, but is much less hazardous than using nearby Wasp Passage. The gap between the islands is narrow. Early settlers coined the name Pole Pass because Native Americans routinely stretched fish nets from poles on either side of the waterway to snare migratory waterfowl. There are […]

Relatively narrow passages between the small islands immediately NW of Shaw Island and some well documented rocks not shown on official charts render Wasp Passage, and the Wasp Islands in general, one of those areas where a “no-go” decision is often the best. It’s entirely possible to navigate Wasp Passage without slamming into a rock, […]

Two of the most popular San Juan Island anchorages are at Stuart Island, separated by a narrow peninsula. Prevost Harbor, to the north, is a convenient first or last stop before crossing Boundary Pass into Canadian waters. Reid Harbor, to the south, is only a short cruise from Roche Harbor, Garrison Bay, and other significant […]

Fisherman Bay, on Lopez Island, is among the premiere destinations in the San Juan Islands. It is also one of the few locations where there is no alternative to running a tricky entrance. There are boaters who never venture into Fisherman Bay due to any number of horror stories. Such tales are related, almost entirely, […]

In the first two installments of this series, we examined some of the most common routes between central Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. We addressed the various passes through which a boater will enter the heart of the San Juan archipelago. Now that we have figuratively arrived at our general destination, all that […]

Near the “9 o’clock” portion of the San Juan circle, and less frequently navigated for initial entrance to the San Juans from central Puget Sound, is Mosquito Pass. Navigation though Mosquito Pass is not inherently dangerous, but must be both deliberate and well planned to avoid coming to grief on a reef. Currents are a […]

Most boaters bound for the San Juans from central Puget Sound will have entered the archipelago prior to reaching Peavine or Obstruction Pass. The two passes run on either side of Obstruction Island, between Orcas Island to the north and Blakely Island to the south. Peavine Pass, immediately north of Blakely Island, is the more […]

Arguably the busiest access into the San Juan Islands, Thatcher Pass is almost due west from the last buoys in Guemes Channel. Thatcher Pass is a busy route for Washington State Ferries. As with other commercial vessels, pleasure boaters are expected to stay well clear of ferry traffic. Keep a constant watch. Simply because there […]

In the southeast corner of the San Juan circle, Lopez Pass is the first opportunity available to boaters transiting Deception Pass to exit Rosario Strait. Vessels crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca and electing not to use Cattle Pass may likewise choose Lopez Pass as an alternative to continuing north of Rosario Strait.

Many boaters crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca will opt to enter the San Juans through Cattle Pass. Some boaters using Deception Pass may elect to use Cattle Pass as well, although boaters transiting between Deception Pass and Cattle Pass should avoid getting too close to the southeast shore of Lopez Island. Reefs, rocks, […]