San Juan Island cruising itinerary options.
Welcome to the San Juan Islands.
The islands comprise an archipelago of around 400 islands of which 128 are named.
Four of the larger islands are served by the Washington State Ferry system.
We will be visiting the smaller islands, most of which are state parks and uninhabited.
The islands are very picturesque and afford wonderful opportunities for photographers and painters.
The islands we will visit offer a wonderful variety for walkers and Kayakers.
The water around the islands is home to 3 pods of Orca whales which feed on salmon, and occasional transient migratory Orcas that feed on the seals.
We may also see river otters, Steller sea lions, common minke whales, Humpback whales and Dall's porpoises
The islands have the greatest population of Bald Eagles in the contiguous United States.
Great blue herons, black oystercatchers and numerous shorebirds are found along the shore and in winter, the islands are home to trumpeter swans, Canada geese and other waterfowl. Peregrine falcons, northern harriers, barred owls and other birds of prey are found. In addition, diving birds such as rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots and endangered marbled murrelets.
The islands have a temperate maritime climate and a lower rainfall than the surrounding area because of the rain-shadow of the Olympic Mountains to the southeast.
Nevertheless, bring raingear.
Depending on the weather and guests’ preference we can visit the islands in any order.
First Day.
Board Compass Rose in Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor. Welcome and orientation.
Cruise to Garrison Bay for the night.
Walk up Young Hill or visit Wescott Bay Oyster Farm or Spy Hop distillery.
The destination choices are:
Sucia island. Walking or Kayaking.
From there, visit Matia and Patos in the Skiff.
Stewart Island, walk to the lighthouse or Kayaking around the smaller islands.
Visit Jones Island, Yellow Island and Friday Harbor.
Cypress Island to walk in the old-growth forest
In General.
This is an ideal charter for two couples or a family.
We will be cruising where the Whales live. Keep a lookout.
We will put down the crab pots at every opportunity,
The skiff is available for jigging for bottom fish.
Compass Rose is warm and dry and well suited to just sitting and reading. inside or out.
Compass Rose is a “silent boat,” we do not need to run the generator at night.
We serve a full breakfast and dinner and picnic lunches.
The provisioning is mostly locally sourced food and wine.
The guests and crew eat together, usually with a set meal.
Guests are encouraged to agree on a range of food preferences.
The food is “good home cooking” with the meals freshly prepared.
According to taste we can also serve grilled and barbequed meals or pizza (You can build your own)
Local wine and beer are served with dinner.
For your better enjoyment, Compass Rose is a smoke-free, drug-free boat.
Telephone reception is possible for some of the cruise, but Compass Rose has Wi-Fi which will allow Wi-Fi calling.
Compass Rose.
The boat was designed and built for extensive ocean passage making.
She is 61’ long, has a 15’ beam, and weighs 37 tons.
When underway and at anchor the passive stabilizers reduce the likelihood of sea sickness to a minimum.
On cool days, the Dickinson diesel stove provides a cheerful, warm dry heat, and is usually cooking something.
On sunny days, we can entertain on the expansive foredeck and on rainy overcast days in the aft covered seating area, or in the roomy salon with the fire.
There are four single, full-length berths in 2 cabins that share the forward head and shower.
Alternatively, there are two double full-length berths in the aft stateroom with an ensuite head and shower. Privacy is afforded in the stateroom with large curtains.