cruising guide San Juan County, Washington
3 stops without coordinates not shown: Port Townsend, Port of Friday Harbor, Deer Harbor

Seattle to Friday Harbor: A Long Weekend

A perfect shakedown cruise to shake the winter cobwebs off or prep for a longer adventure north

Editor's Choice

Distance

92 nm

Duration

6 days

Stops

4
2 anchorages, 2 marinas

Lay Days

2

Difficulty

Intermediate

Multi-day trips that include exposed crossings, active currents, and a mix of marinas and anchorages, requiring solid anchoring skills and the judgment to wait out unfavorable weather.

About this guide

A perfect introduction to PNW cruising. Cross Admiralty Inlet on a flood, ride the current up Rosario Strait, and be tied up in Friday Harbor in time for happy hour at Downriggers. This guide assumes a Friday afternoon departure and Sunday evening return, with weather-dependent flexibility built into the middle day. As you push further north, past places like Bella Bella and Prince Rupert, the route becomes more remote and deeply Alaskan in character. Entering Southeast Alaska, the landscape sharpens—snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and glacial waters guiding you toward Petersburg, a working fishing town with strong Norwegian roots. It’s a destination… See More

A perfect introduction to PNW cruising. Cross Admiralty Inlet on a flood, ride the current up Rosario Strait, and be tied up in Friday Harbor in time for happy hour at Downriggers. This guide assumes a Friday afternoon departure and Sunday evening return, with weather-dependent flexibility built into the middle day.

As you push further north, past places like Bella Bella and Prince Rupert, the route becomes more remote and deeply Alaskan in character. Entering Southeast Alaska, the landscape sharpens—snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and glacial waters guiding you toward Petersburg, a working fishing town with strong Norwegian roots. It’s a destination that feels both rugged and welcoming, where the docks are alive with stories and the journey itself becomes part of your logbook lore. This run isn’t just a passage—it’s a rite of passage for anyone drawn to life along the coast.

See Less

The route

  1. DAY 0 ANCHORAGE · 1 NIGHT

    Eagle Harbor

    Leave early to transit the locks from Lake Union or plan an evening at Shilshole Marina View anchorage

  2. DAY 1 – 2 ANCHORAGE · 2 NIGHTS LAY DAY

    Port Townsend

    42 nm · Rest

    Be aware of fery traffic when leaving Port Townsent. If you enter the San Juans at Cattle Pass or Rosario Straight, consult your tidal and current charts and time your entrance carefully

  3. DAY 3 – 4 MARINA · 2 NIGHTS LAY DAY

    Port of Friday Harbor

    38 nm · Rest

    Check wind and sea conditions to cross the Straight of Juan de Fuca often. Plan for a nearly departure and avoid the Traffic Seperation Zones) Call ahead for reservations as Port of Friday Harbor can get quite full in season.

  4. DAY 5 MARINA · FINAL

    Deer Harbor

    12 nm

    Enjoy a stay at Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. Dingy dock access is inside of teh fuel/pump out dock (one of teh best pump out docks in the San Juans) and there is a general store with food as well as several restaurants within walking distance.

Approaches and Known Hazards

Cattle pass

Route Map

3 stops without coordinates not shown: Port Townsend, Port of Friday Harbor, Deer Harbor

Question and Answers

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Trip Fit

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what members are saying (ai generated review summary)

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Member Reviews

Seattle to Friday Harbor: A Long Weekend has received 1 reviews with an average rating of 3.6 out of 5

Route Quality4.0 / 5

Editor Notes4.0 / 5

Community Notes3.0 / 5

Stop Variety4.0 / 5

Difficulty Accuracy3.0 / 5

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