NORTHWEST CRUISING

From cosmopolitan cities like Seattle and Vancouver, to the warm, tranquil waters of Desolation Sound, to the fjords and tidewater glaciers of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest offers the finest cruising in the world.

SBMC is a proud founding member of Superyacht Northwest.

Washington State

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With more than 200 miles of shoreline, Seattle is nautical Mecca. Nestled between the saltwater of Elliott Bay and the fresh water of Lake Union and Lake Washington, Seattle is home to thousands of commercial fishboats, hundreds of oceangoing tugs, and dozens of government ships. More boats are registered in King County (where Seattle is located) than any other county in the United States.
Seaside communities, like Bainbridge Island, lie along the shores of Puget Sound. These communities share a nautical history with Seattle and are wonderful cruising destinations.
The natural beauty of Puget Sound is constantly on display. Mount Rainier, a 14,410' active volcano, towers above Gig Harbor.
The Ballard Locks separate Puget Sound from Lake Union.
Yachting is an integral part of the community in Seattle. Seattle Yacht Club's annual Opening Day of Boating Season parade is a major event in the city each May. It celebrates the city's maritime traditions and heritage.
The University of Washington football stadium is adjacent to Lake Washington. Fans frequently arrive by boat and "sailgate" at the games.
North of Seattle, currents to nine knots race through scenic Deception Pass, near the San Juan Islands.
The San Juan Islands are renowned for their natural beauty. Limited development, unspoiled forest, and resident Orca whales are some of the draws. This photo shows Sucia Island, a State Park with protected anchorages and miles of hiking trails.
Roche Harbor Resort, on San Juan Island, is a popular destination and full-service resort with moorage for yachts to 150 feet. Larger vessels can anchor in the protected harbor.

Lake Washington destinations (within an hour of SBMC):
Seattle Yacht Club (reciprocal moorage available)
Andrews Bay
Kirkland
Meydenbauer Bay
Fairweather Bay
Mercer Island
Boeing 737 assembly line

Click to see more cruising destinations in Lake Washington, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands.

Lake Washington homes (within an hour of SBMC):
Bill & Melinda Gates, Microsoft co-founder (Google Maps)
Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder (Google Maps)
Nathan Myrhvold, Microsoft ex-CTO (look for the T-Rex skeleton!) (Google Maps)
Charles Simonyi, Microsoft
John & Sally Nordstrom
Howard Schultz, Starbucks ex-CEO
James Sinegal, Costco co-founder
Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder
Sleepless in Seattle houseboat

Central & South Puget Sound destinations (2 hours from SBMC):
Quartermaster Harbor
Gig Harbor
Tacoma
Olympia

Central Puget Sound and Hood Canal destinations: (3-5 hours from SBMC):
Port Blakely
Eagle Harbor
Poulsbo
Langley
Coupeville
La Conner
Anacortes
Bellingham
Port Ludlow
Port Townsend
Alderbrook

San Juan Islands: (3-6 hours from SBMC):
Friday Harbor
Roche Harbor
Westcott Bay
Deer Harbor
Eastsound
Rosario Resort
Sucia Island
MacKaye Harbor
Willows Inn

Southern British Columbia

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“I’ve cruised the coast from Costa Rica to Alaska a couple dozen times, spending winters in the sun and summers in the Pacific Northwest. Guests ask what my favorite places are and I always tell them it’s BC and Desolation Sound. If I did nothing else for the rest of my life I’d be happy cruising just that area. The weather is nice, it’s easy, it’s close, the fishing is good, the water is warm enough to swim, and it’s beautiful. I love everything about it!”
–Captain Skip Sethmann, 150’ Delta

Vancouver is a thriving, world class city situated on the shores of the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. Cruisers can moor at one of several marinas or anchor out.
Howe Sound is surrounded by high, jagged peaks. The famous Sea to Sky Highway, which connects Vancouver with Whistler, runs along Howe Sound.
With hundreds of islands, thousands of miles of shoreline, world class cities, protected waterways, and quaint waterfront communities, cruising the southern part of British Columbia is accessible and rewarding.
Yachts of all sizes can explore these areas.
Victoria, on the south end of Vancouver Island, is the capital of British Columbia. British colonial style buildings dominate the cityscape.
Several marinas in Victoria cater to vessels of all sizes.
Majestic Princess Louisa Inlet is a fjord that indents the mainland. Mountains rise dramatically from the sea to several thousand feet and waterfalls plunge from the snowcapped peaks. Malibu Rapids, a reversing tidal rapid (slack four times a day), guards the entrance and a YoungLife camp sits just above the rapids.
At the head of Princess Louisa Inlet is Chatterbox Falls, among the most popular cruising destinations in the area. Even in this remote setting, far from roads or airports, local floatplane operators can quickly deliver guests and crew.
The Gulf Islands, along the southeast shore of Vancouver Island, offer everything from tranquil anchorages to mom-and-pop marinas to luxury resorts. Poet's Cove Marina, shown here, is a Canadian Customs port of entry and a popular first stop in Canada.
Desolation Sound is 80 nautical miles north of Vancouver. Scenic anchorages abound and water temperatures reach into the 80s by late summer.
Some anchorages in Desolation Sound, like Teakerne Arm, are small, one-boat nooks. No matter where you anchor, it's rare to see development on shore. This is wilderness within a day's cruise of Vancouver or Victoria.

Northern British Columbia

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Dent Island Lodge is just north of Desolation Sound. It's a first-class facility with high-end restaurant, good moorage, fishing and sightseeing charters, and more.
North of Desolation Sound, the scenery becomes more dramatic and civilization becomes scarcer. Helicopters, float planes, and boats are the only way to travel along this roadless coast.
Wildlife abounds. Pacific white sided dolphins are often spotted in large pods, happily leaping out of the water.
Humpback whales spend summers in the nutrient-rich waters of British Columbia and Alaska. They feed in summer, then travel to the warmer waters of Mexico or Hawaii in winter to breed.
British Columbia offers world-class halibut and salmon fishing.
Northern British Columbia is rich with First Nations history. SGaang Gwaay, at the south end of Haida Gwaii, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First Nations artists continue to carve new poles at some communities along the coast.
Yachts of all sizes cruise British Columbia. Marinas are scarce north of Desolation Sound, but scenic anchorages abound.
Helicopter fishing and touring is available.
Particularly during spring and early summer when mountain snow is melting, waterfalls pour into the ocean.
Much of the Northern BC Coast is beautiful temperate rain forest. Thankfully, summer weather tends to be warm, dry, and sunny.

Alaska

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“We have spent 9 summers in Southeast Alaska, 3 summers in Prince William Sound and 2 in and around the Kenai, Kodiak Island and the Alaskan Peninsula. Like the American Express commercial, “Alaska is the place that keeps on giving”. On a scale of 1 to 10, we would give the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia an “8”, Southeast Alaska a “10” and Prince William Sound/Kenai/Kodiak a solid “12”! In Southeast, it tends to be a bit rainy. In Prince William Sound, we use the air conditioning three out of five days!

“In all these years we have seen less than 5% of coastal Alaska and one can explore this area for a lifetime and never fully grasp its majesty.

“Having cruised more than 200,000 miles, between the outer reaches of Alaska, British Columbia, West Coast and East Coasts of the United States, Central America, Caribbean, Great Lakes, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Mediterranean, England and Norway there is no place for us that comes close to comparing with the magic and visceral appeal of Alaska.

“If you want to hang out with other boats, stay in marinas and be seen, then the East Coast of the United States, Caribbean and Mediterranean are your cruising grounds. If you like wilderness, exploration, unparalleled beauty, nature, wildlife and going places that nobody has ever gone before and can only be seen by boat, then Alaska is your paradise!”

–Cliff Rome, M/Y Oasis, 70’ Delta

Alaska's natural beauty is incomparable. Small towns like Haines dot the coast.
Tidewater glaciers are a dramatic, scenic destination in Alaska. Visiting Sawyer Glacier at the head of Tracy Arm requires no permits, yet it's one of the most beautiful places on the entire west coast.
The experience of cruising to a glacier is awesome: the cracking sounds of the ice, the art-like shape of the icebergs, the smell of alpine air on the ocean, and of course the sight of a river of ice.
Seals take refuge on ice near tidewater glaciers.
Wildlife viewing in Alaska is second to none. Bears—both brown and black—are spotted frequently. It's not uncommon to see them catching a salmon in a stream or wandering on a beach.
Waterfalls line the fjords in Alaska.
Fishing can be exceptional.
Dungeness crab are easily caught, too.
Helicopter fishing in Southeast Alaska