The San Juan and Gulf Islands

Some of the best cruising in the world can be had in the islands of the Northwest, both in the U.S. and Canada. An archipelago between Washington State and Canada's Vancouver Island, and divided by Wilhelm I of Germany in arbitration of a border dispute between the U.S. and the U.K. in 1872, established the San Juan islands as part of the U.S.,  and the Gulf Islands as part of Canada. Separated by the relatively narrow Haro Strait, a common cruising ground for Orca whales, both sets of islands offer a host of serene anchorages, buzzing marina's and resorts, wildlife refuges, and marine parks. Everything from island towns served by ferry's and commercial aircraft, to isolated coves and harbors leading to hiking vistas and fossil strewn beaches. Between the two, they have it all, easily within reach, and commonly tranquil and dry, typical of their relatively arid environment in summers.





Magnificant vista's can be seen from well sheltered, quiet coves, bays, and harbors. Sea conditions are seldom rough, making for comfortable passage within the islands and, for the most part, across the straits. 





Wildlife, especially sea life, is all around. From the sea lions and seals, to the orca whales, to eagles and porpoises. The Orca's whales are especially entertaining, though strict regulation requires all activity around them to be passive - so sometimes they can only be seen from a distance. We've been very luck, however, in past voyages (see the 2007 slide show).






History is everywhere, often preserved in parks and villages scattered around the islands. Many anchorages provide access to hiking of all kinds, and many islands can be accessed by the Washington state ferry system, making for easy drop-off and pick-up for flexible itineraries.







Lots of towns and villages on multiple islands provide plenty of destinations for shopping, wandering, eating, and just people watching in the marina's.





A San Juan & Gulf Island adventure would start and end in Bellingham, Washington on one of NW Explorations charter yachts. All are top quality, highly maintained, contemporary and well equipped, but our favorites are those with three staterooms, allowing three couples to share a cruise. That cruise would take a route determined by interests, inclination, weather, tides, and currents. The destination choices are endless and highly varied, allowing a series of short cruises enabling plenty of shore time, or longer cruises that enable lots of sight seeing and wildlife discovery.

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