Washington State Waters
BoatRoutes provides comprehensive coverage of Washington State’s inland marine waters, from Olympia at the southern end of Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands near the Canadian border.
Puget Sound
Section titled “Puget Sound”The heart of Washington’s cruising waters. Puget Sound stretches roughly 100 miles from Olympia to Anacortes, with numerous islands, bays, and waterways branching off the main channel.
Major ports and marinas:
- Seattle (multiple marinas: Shilshole, Elliott Bay, Lake Union)
- Tacoma (Foss Waterway, Point Defiance)
- Bremerton and Port Orchard
- Poulsbo (Liberty Bay)
- Anacortes
- La Conner (Swinomish Channel)
- Bellingham (Squalicum Harbor)
Popular anchorages:
- Eagle Harbor (Bainbridge Island)
- Quartermaster Harbor (Vashon Island)
- Gig Harbor
- Blake Island (marine park with mooring buoys)
- Mystery Bay (Marrowstone Island)
Key navigation considerations:
- Tidal ranges of 10-14 feet are common, especially in the south Sound
- The Tacoma Narrows has currents up to 5 knots
- Commercial shipping traffic in the main channel requires vigilance
- Fog is most common in fall and spring
San Juan Islands
Section titled “San Juan Islands”The jewel of Pacific Northwest cruising. The San Juans are an archipelago of 172 named islands with sheltered waters, abundant wildlife, and charming port towns.
See the detailed San Juan Islands page
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Section titled “Strait of Juan de Fuca”The major waterway connecting Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean, stretching from Admiralty Inlet to Cape Flattery.
Key locations:
- Port Townsend — historic maritime town, major provisioning stop
- Port Angeles — gateway to the Olympic Peninsula
- Neah Bay — westernmost port in the continental US
Navigation considerations:
- Open to Pacific swell, especially west of Port Angeles
- Strong currents at Admiralty Inlet (3-5 knots)
- Fog common in summer
- Commercial shipping lane — stay clear of cargo vessels
Skagit and Island Counties
Section titled “Skagit and Island Counties”The northern reaches of inland Washington waters, bridging Puget Sound and the San Juans.
Key locations:
- Anacortes — major provisioning and fuel stop, gateway to the San Juans
- La Conner — charming town accessible via the Swinomish Channel
- Deception Pass — dramatic narrow passage requiring slack water transit
- Oak Harbor (Whidbey Island)
State Marine Parks
Section titled “State Marine Parks”Washington State Parks maintains several marine parks accessible only by boat:
- Blake Island — mooring buoys, trails, and a longhouse with salmon bakes
- Sucia Island — multiple anchorages, extensive trails, fossils
- Stuart Island — remote and beautiful, with a lighthouse hike
- Jones Island — mooring buoys, camping, deer
- Blind Island — tiny park near Shaw Island
- James Island — near Decatur Island
Explore Pacific Northwest cruising grounds on the map →