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2 Floating Docks |
16 Mooring Buoys |
(Orcas Island in Background) |
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Safe
Harbor In The San Juan's
Fossil bay got its name from the fossils of
small marine life that are found in the surrounding rock
faces. There are 16 mooring buoys to tie up to in Fossil
Bay as well
as two floating docks-- both of which 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. Some environmentalist believe that anchoring destroys or disturbs the
plants and animals of Puget Sound. Nobody wants to knowingly destroy plants and
animals. You can decide for yourself how much impact your anchor will have.
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 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. This is also the trailhead where you can choose to go 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 like the one in the photo above.
Water Station
On Shore
Fresh water is available in Fossil Bay from April to September. It would be nice if there were showers available but then, if you had all the comforts of home you'd might as well stay home, right? You could always make the next stop on your cruise either Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor where you can stock up on supplies and take a nice hot shower. 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 precious and 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 or to your marina.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, perhaps because there are no garbage cans to tip over or for wildlife to rummage through.
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Beautiful At Every Turn
Exploring the trail system on Sucia Island, you come upon one beautiful vista after another and you never know what wildlife you might see. Bring Your Camera! you're going to want to remember your time on Sucia.
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 want to bring your own wood because gathering of firewood is not allowed in most Washington State Parks. Even so, most of the island can get picked clean of even the smallest twigs anyway and not all driftwood will burn. Perhaps more enjoyable than hanging out around a campfire is just staying on your boat and sharing a bottle of wine while star gazing. |
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