San Juan Islands - crabbing?-gctid818048

[W8N4SUN]

Finally getting back to cruising the San Juan Islands after a 22 year hiatus and taking the 3 kids in early August. Have a few questions for those that have been there lately:

1. Stuart and Sucia Islands. Where can I expect the best chances for catching crabs?

2. Any must see coves/bays/towns on the Canadian Islands?

Thanks in advance to those that can send advice and experience my way!

[Captain_Jack]

You will find the best crabbing near the mouths of the bays. Poets cove has customs check in and is a must stay especially if you have kids as they have a great pool. The bar is quite nice for the adults.

Otter Bay is another nice place for kids. Honestly I have not found a marina or town in the islands that wasn't nice.

[W8N4SUN]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll observe the local activity and try my best not to set the pots in a dangerous place for other boaters.

It will be a learning experience for us so if we can make it to Otter Bay we will give it a go.

[Pcpete]

We just returned from two and a half weeks in the San Juans and Gulf Islands. A must see is kind of personal preference but when we have the grand kids aboard Otter Bay is near the top of the list. Swimming pool for the kids and another for adults, very clean laundry. From there it depends on the ages of the kids. Ganges is nice however I'd stay away from Ganges Marina. It's better than some, but some of the finger piers are flat dangerous imo. Last year I got sick after drinking the water from there. Telegraph Harbor is nice, Maple Bay is clean, has a very good restaurant and they have a shuttle to Duncan, a nearby town that features somewhere over twenty totem poles. I'm not sure of the exact number, but it could be over 40 including a guy you can talk to and watch carving one. You can go into Port Sidney where not only is the town fun but you can catch a bus to Downtown Victoria and Butchart Gardens.

Roche Harbor is a great spot with a pool and lots of shops, restaurants and a store. There is also a bus to Friday Harbor. Nearby are Westcot and Garrison Bays that are good anchorages and places to crab.

[Happy_Friday]

With kids you must go to Ganges. Try to hit the Saturday public market. I agree that Ganges Marina has slipped in the last few years so a very nice option is Kanaka wharf which is public. You cannot reserve, it is 1$ /ft and has power. Showers and toilets are a bit of a walk but not too bad. It is right in the middle of everything though. Don't forget there are a couple of public slips beside the float planes as well. Very worthwhile and convenient.

[W8N4SUN]

Thanks for the suggestions!

The "kids" are between the ages of 18-22 so really I should have said young adults. The wife is very inclined to stay in major ports (like Friday Harbor) as she likes her shore power! However I am convincing her to at least be on the hook every other day. Ganges sounds like a doable thing and it doesn't look to be that far north, we'll plan on it and report back.

[rossi45]

If you're on the hook, then hook up at Sidney Island. if you have a tender, then go ashore and enjoy the most beautiful beach in the gulf islands. You can crab there too. Probably need a Canadian license of some kind (I'm no fisherman). you may have to check in at Sidney marina. I haven't done a cross border trip, so I don't know what the details are.

I second Poet's Cove. I will be there on Saturday and it's a great spot for a pool, hot tub and pub time. Bedwell Harbour has anchorage too, so if you can't get a slip, just anchor and tender in to the resort. If you're hanging around Pender island(s) then head over to Port Browning. they may have a band playing on a Friday or Saturday night. They have showers and laundry as well.

Which reminds me. I generally make my plans around events at marinas. I usually go and check out where a pub might be and then check their web page (or even call) to see what is going on. if there's a good band playing, then that's where I will go. I had a very unexpected epic night at Moby's in Ganges on the May long weekend this year. Great Cuban band playing and tons of other boaters hanging out for a night of music and drinks!