How do you improve on a vacation to one of the most gorgeous spots on Earth?
By going there with people who know the places that will steal your heart.
The best way to visit the San Juan Islands is to go with people who can help you find ― and give you access to ― the islands’ many secret spaces. And believe us, there are many!
Captain Ron Fugere and Mate Mari know these islands very well. They have years of experience sailing in and around the many quiet coves and harbors of the 172 named islands in the San Juans and they’d love to show you.
Here are two things to consider to help make the most of your upcoming sailing adventure:
Decide whether you want to work or rest on your vacation.
Sailing aboard Diminuendo is truly an all-inclusive vacation
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For starters, you have guides – Ron and Mari – to navigate the Salish Sea; you get all the experience of sailing the mighty Pacific Northwest without having to know how to trim the jib or lower the mainsail. You also have someone to make all your meals and a tour guide who can point out pods of majestic orca whales, romps of playful otters and lounging herds of seals.
Because Captain Ron and Mate Mari can handle everything about Diminuendo, you can enjoy a NW Washington sailing vacation while having no sailing experience whatsoever.
With “bareboat” charters, on the other hand, you’re on your own. You get the boat and nothing else. That can be a wonderful experience for those who want it, but be aware that it’s usually not as simple as it sounds. While you do get to experience the joy of sailing your own vessel, you also must handle all the day-to-day tasks and challenges. On a bareboat charter, you and your passengers may worry about boat safety, how to navigate through the rocky shallows or how to plot a course across the shipping lanes (and upon return to port, you’ll have to refuel, empty the sewage tank (ick!) and wash the boat inside and out).
If you really want to handle the boat yourself, just ask! On Diminuendo, you’re invited to take the helm as little or as much as you like, always secure in the knowledge that you’ll be supervised by Captain Ron and Mari.
Prices between bareboat and all-inclusive charters tend to be comparable, especially after you factor in food, which is not provided on bareboat trips.
Decide whether you want to visit specific sites
We’ve created well-loved typical itineraries for those who want to kick back and enjoy the beauty of the San Juans – hitting all the highlights. Our chartered sailing itineraries work well for all ages, making them a great option when traveling with friends and family.
Alternately, you’re free to plan a specific route or spend a few extra days in a certain place (great for visiting the islands for a wedding, for example!).
Whatever course you decide to set, chartered sailing aboard Diminuendo can help make this summer vacation your best ever. Just give Ron or Mari a call today.
Whether we are sharing the San Juan Islands with our guests for three days or a week, our first stop is usually Sucia Island. Because it is not one of the main islands serviced by the ferry system and thereby only accessible by private boat, this “crown jewel of the state’s marine park system” often slips under the radar. Sucia Island’s name originated with the Spanish Captain Francisco de Eliza, and can be found on maps dating to 1791. He named it “Isla Sucia”. (Sucia in Spanish means “dirty” or in a nautical sense “foul”, in this case referencing the dangerous reefs and hidden rocks that dot the entrance to its bays).
From an aerial view, Sucia has the form of a hand with fingers. This unusual shape is a result of the unique way in which the island was formed, may millions of years ago. Geologically, it’s a very different place than the rest of the islands in the San Juan archipelago. Most of the San Juans are comprised of a submerged mountain range – dense, black granite characterized by cliff faces, steep hills, and craggy outcroppings. Sucia is an ancient, uplifted seafloor and riverbed. There are areas where you can observe where the rock patterns have “folded” over the eons. A bit of trivia: Washington State’s very first dinosaur bone, dated to 80 million years ago, was discovered on the shores of Sucia Island in 2012!
Sucia Island State Park is a 564-acre marine park with nearly 15 miles of shoreline and features 10 miles of well-maintained hiking trails. Because of the unique shape of the island, most of these trails hug the coast and offer breathtaking views of the rugged shoreline and odds are good that you will see seals, sea lions, and a wide variety of birds. Be sure to wander around the shorelines, where you will find unique honeycomb formations in the sandstone. The island shape also creates the many natural harbors popular with boaters. These include Echo Bay, Shallow Bay, Snoring Bay, Fossil Bay, Fox Cove, & Ewing Cove on the east end of the island.
The cluster of Sucia Islands was purchased in 1960 by the Puget Sound Interclub Association and later donated to the State of Washington for protection as a Marine State Park. With the exception of a rangers’ cabin and a couple of vehicles for park service use, there is no residents or facilities on the island. With camp sites at various spots across the island, Sucia is popular for camping during the summer months. But even on popular weekends you can still feel you have the island mostly to yourself!
It’s simple. First, you just need to pick the length of time you want to spend in heaven. After that, Captain Ron and First Mate Mari at Northwest Sailing will work with you to plan the perfect itinerary.
Not to mention, of course, that sailing through these islands is an adventure that you just can’t experience any other way.
The savviest of travelers have a simple strategy for making the most of their precious vacation time:
We’ve been sailing 
Verdant, lush scenery abounds. Spring in the Pacific Northwest is incredible. And on the Salish Sea, among the many islands ― some say say it’s the most beautiful place on earth. From the comfort of our chartered sailboat, you see the bright greens of plant life basking in newly discovered sunlight. And the wildflowers, in every color and shape imaginable … they’re simply incredible!
