This was my first time to Spencer Spit. I spent a day and a half running around doing all of the shooting for the video so I didn’t get to enjoy the beaches. I can see where it would be a nice spot for a group to hang out, sit around a fire, play on the beach, and enjoy a summer day.

I encourage anyone who has been here to add their experiences, what they like about it, what they don’t like about it, cautions, hazards encountered, suggestions, etc. My hope is that this will become a useful resource for anyone thinking of visiting.

I encourage anyone who has been here to add their experiences, what they like about it, what they don’t like about it, cautions, hazards encountered, suggestions, etc. My hope is that this will become a useful resource for anyone thinking of visiting.

Shallow Bay has wonderful views of the sunset. Even if your boat isn’t anchored in Shallow Bay, you can enjoy the view from the East beach of Shallow Bay (see photo below). You can also follow the trail from the East beach to the South beach and there are bluffs where you can watch the sunset. Depending on the time of year, bring mosquito repellant. Don’t forget a flashlight as the trail is twisty. I also heard that the hike out to Larson Bluff on the Northwest side of the  island is gorgeous. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get out there to shoot as it would have been nice to include in the video. Maybe next time!

I encourage viewers to add comments about Sucia, what you like about it, any hazards not mentioned, your experience with anchoring here, tips and suggestions. My hope is that others who are looking for information will find the combined knowledge from all of the posts to be helpful.

You can find additional information at:

Wikipedia:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucia_Island

http://bellinghamster.com/sucia-island.htm

State Parks: http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Sucia%20Island

Weather: http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/overview/WASPSUIISL

Around the year 2000, I produced, shot and edited this video with my good friend, Owen Novenski, who directed it. This was shot the summer before she sailed through the Panama Canal, survived a hurricane, and became the only “real” ship in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Besides giving tours at cities on the West coast, she also has mock battles with the Hawaiian Chieftain. There’s a wide variety of ways to enjoy this historic ship.

For more information go to:  http://historicalseaport.org/

Pole Pass is a narrow pass on the SW side of Orcas island. From reading about it in the guidebooks I was always hesitant to try going through it. On my last trip I needed to get to Deer Harbor and decided to stop being a wimp and give it a try.

In the video you’ll get a sense of what Pole Pass is like, as well as tips and suggestions on going through it.

I encourage anyone who has been here to add their experiences, what they like about it, what they don’t like about it, cautions, hazards encountered, suggestions, etc. My hope is that this will become a useful resource for anyone thinking of visiting.

I put in at the boat ramp at Anacortes and crossed Rosario Strait in the fog. This was my first time traveling in the fog and was a bit scary with 1/2 mile visibility. Okay, so I’m a wimp and I know many others have travelled in much worse fog than that with fewer tools than I had. Nonetheless, I decided to wait and not go through Thatcher Pass with all the ferries and other boat traffic when I couldn’t see them, so I anchored on the East side of James Island for a few hours.  The sun was lovely!

I stopped at Spencer Spit, then Blind Bay, went through Pole Pass to Deer Harbor. Deer Harbor is a nice little marina! If you can, go up to the Deer Harbor Inn for a nice dinner. I then headed to Stuart Island and stayed in Reid and then Prevost Harbor. It was a great trip and I should have about 5 videos from it. I’ll get them posted soon…….I hope.