Favorite San Juan Islands Anchorages

Recently a friend asked what our favorite anchorages in the San Juan Islands were.

Before I answer, you will need some context.  First, these are anchorages... not docks, not mooring balls.  We don't like being tied to a dock, and Eolian is at the upper limit of what the State Park mooring balls allow, which makes me nervous about the condition of the mooring chain and anchor - we trust our own chain and anchor.  We are not usually fond of hustle and bustle, so Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are not on the list (however we will stop at one of these for provisions if necessary, or to visit friends).

So here they are in no particular order at all.  I have written "Destination" posts about some of these before (links included)...  but this list tells me that I have more writing to do:

1. Echo Bay, Sucia Island
2. Parks Bay, Shaw Island
3. Indian Cove, Shaw Island
4. Blind Bay, Shaw Island
5. Center Island, Lopez Sound
6. Hunter Bay, Lopez Sound
7. Brigantine Bay, Lopez Sound
8. Reid Harbor, Stuart Island
9. Westcott/Garrison Bays, San Juan Island

Now that we are Anacortes-based, we will have the time to explore the Islands more thoroughly.  In the past we have visited these additional places with smaller boats:

• James Island
• Spencer Spit
• Jones Island
• Turn Island
• Armitage Island
• Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island
• Fossil Bay, Sucia Island
• Shallow Bay, Sucia Island

but Eolian is uncomfortably large to fit in some of them,  and some are not suitable except in settled weather.

We have never been to Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island.  Several of our friends have, and some of those friends have bumped bottom on the entry.  We will visit Fisherman's Bay, but we will do so on a rising tide when the tides are high.

OK readers, now it is your turn.  Where are your favorite spots?  Where should we visit next?

Favorite San Juan Islands Anchorages