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Sucia Island's Echo Bay has
14 mooring
Buoys @ $10.00 Per Night And Campsites Ashore |
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Shallow Bay Anchorage Occupies Sucia
Island's West Side
Along with Fox Bay, Shallow Bay is on the west side
of Sucia Island and both offer less protection from the elements
than many of the other Sucia Island Anchorages but it still has its
fans as well as those that land there because nothing else is
available.
Having said that, Sucia Island is without doubt an
all time favorite for Washington Boaters. Its hard to have a bad day
on Sucia Island unless you get caught in an unexpected squall or you
drop your boat keys overboard. Shallow bay got its name for a reason
but it is a bit deeper on the northern side of the bay. Most smaller
I/O boats don't seem to have a problem but sailboats with a fixed
keel might want to consider a deeper anchorage like Echo Bay or
Fossil Bay. Important!
Check Your Chart For Rocks! There are some submerged rocks in the northern
side of the bay.
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Know
Before You Go! Current Weather Conditions For
The San Juan Islands (Friday Harbor Wa) |
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How
Shallow Bay Got Its Name
Shallow Bay is on the west side of
Sucia Island and gets its name from the fact that--you
guessed it. Its relatively shallow at about 7 feet in its
deeper areas making it unsuitable for larger sailboats and
other boats with a deeper draft. At low tide even less
and as you get nearer to the shore even less, but isn't that
always the case? If you have any doubt about your draft
you should simply skip Shallow Bay and tie up at one of
Sucia's 5 other coves and bays.
Sea Kayak Camping On Sucia
Sucia Island is located 2.5 miles north of Orcas Island Making
it a popular destination for Sea Kayakers day tripping to the
island as well as overnighters who set up camp for multi day
trips. Shallow bay is popular with the Kayak crowd looing for
a place to pop their tent for the night. There is a shelter,
restrooms and wooded areas offering some protection from the
winds that can sometimes kick up at night and carry tents
away. Its best to bring extra tent stakes and be sure to use
them. |
When you moor or anchor in Shallow bay you are near
the middle of the island just opposite of
Echo Bay with
access to the trail system and you actually share the same pay box,
picnic shelter, campsites, & pit toilets with
Echo Bay
visitors.
Anchoring in Shallow Bay is also great for watching
the sunsets over Vancouver island and you might be visited by a
curious seal or two.
Whale Watching
Sucia Island is technically within the prime habitat area for
whales and locals and regulars to these islands do see them but on a
day to day basis you just don't know where the whales will be however,
Shallow Bay is on the west side of Sucia Island where whales have been
spotted passing through the waters between Sucia and Patos Island.
Shallow Bay Pay
Station
If you're going to use a
mooring buoy you will need to make your way ashore to the pay station within 30
minutes of your arrival. The beach has patches of rocky areas
but there are two main areas clear for making a landing. On a busy
weekend the beach is covered with dinghy's and beachcombers and you might even
see a seal or two.
More Islands To Explore -
Patos
Island Marine Park To The West
West of Sucia Isand is the charming Patos
Island marine park. Like Sucia it is accessible only from boat. Patos
or "Duck" island has a lighthouse and beautiful views of Mount
Baker. Patos has only a couple of buoys which are almost always
taken but persistence will eventually pay off. On your next trip to
Sucia be sure to swing by Patos first and if a buoy is available
Grab It!
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