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2 Floating Docks With 660 Ft Dock Space (1 Seasonal) |
16 Mooring Buoys |
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Fossils And ShellsFossil bay got its name from the fossils of small marine life that are found in the surrounding rock faces. The seashells and fossils were deposited into the sandstone rocks when portions of the island were once part of the sea floor in Baha California. There are 16 mooring buoys to tie up to in Fossil Bay as well as two floating docks--One of which is seasonal. With both docks in place Fossil Bay offers 660 ft of floating dock space which tends to fill up fast on holidays and on weekends during the summer months. When you tie up to a dock at any Washington State park you pay .50 cents per foot so a 40 ft. boat would cost you $20. Some boaters choose to simply anchor in Fossil bay rather than tie up to a buoy to avoid the $10.00 buoy fee (2011), however they are still expected to go ashore and register at the pay station so the park service can keep accurate attendance records. |
Saving
The Planet One Weed At A Time
Some environmentalist believe that anchoring at Sucia Island is disturbing plants and upsetting sea life on ocean floor below Sucia Island's coves and bay so they want to ban it, allowing only tying up at buoys. The up side would be that there would be more buoys which people seem to prefer however, due to the popularity of Sucia Island with area boaters there would never be enough buoys to handle the demand and people who have travelled far and wide to get to Sucia would be turned away.
While it may be true that an anchor digs into the sand and earth and may uproot some plants banning the practice of anchoring may be taking things a bit too far. It has not been proven that anchoring has significantly disturbed the Puget Sound ecosystem.
Welcome
To Sucia
Island Marine Park
Just above the gangway of Fossil Bay's first dock you are welcomed by a park sign paying tribute to those responsible for the acquisition and creation of Sucia Island marine park. We all owe them all a debt of gratitude for making Sucia accessible to the general public and safe from development. Just a few yards up the trail you will find the pay station, pit toilet, as well as a water faucet. (Seasonal). From this trailhead where you can choose to veer left and hike to nearby fox cove or go right and take the trail to snoring bay, echo bay and beyond. Trails are well marked with guideposts.
Water Station
On Shore
Fresh water is available in Fossil Bay from April to September. During winter months freezing temperatures would burst pipes. While it would be nice if there were showers available as well, if you had all the comforts of home you'd might as well stay home.
Water is precious on Sucia Island. The park service asks that you conserve water when possible by not leaving the faucet running and simply not wasting any so that there will be enough for the other guests. Even though the island is surrounded by saltwater, fresh water is in scarce supply.
Pack
It In & Pack It Out
There's no trash pickup on shore at Fossil bay or anywhere on Sucia Island so you are required to take your garbage back with you and simply dispose of it when you get home.
The park service had found itself struggling with a mountain of trash that had to be collected daily and then transported off the island. It really isn't inconvenient nor too much to ask that you simply take home with you what you brought, and the island has actually become cleaner since their new policy has been in force, in part because there are no garbage cans to tip over or for wildlife to rummage through.
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A NIGHT ON SUCIA ISLAND As nighttime falls on Fossil Bay, many people like to dinghy ashore to light bonfires socialize with fellow boaters. If you plan on roasting wieners or snuggling by a fire you will need to bring your own wood because gathering of firewood is not allowed and so many ignore that rule there isn't any wood to find anyway. Most of the island can get picked clean of even the smallest twigs and driftwood usually won't burn so. If space is at a premium on your boat or you don't want to be hauling cords of firewood around consider buying a case of presto fireplace logs. You won't be able to roast wieners over the flames but it will be much more compact and manageable to transport and handle ashore. If sharing a campfire ashore isn't in the cards you can always consider staying on your boat star gazing and sharing a bottle of wine. |
NEXT - EWING COVE Website Terms of Use Latitude: 48D 45' 0" N (48.75) Longitude: 122D 54' 1.98" W (-122.9005)
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