Blog Archives - NW Sailing Adventures

Sailing secret: September in the San Juans

May 17, 2017 By Mari

The Pacific Northwest might get short shrift for all the rain that falls in winter, but there truly are few places with such beautiful summers — and in green, lush environments, to boot.

That’s why we LOVE September in the San Juans.

September is prime vacation time.

The kids are back in school and the peak crowds have returned home, but the weather is as gorgeous as ever. Historical averages in the San Juans are in the low 70s and high 60s throughout the month — warmer than June and just about the same as July. And with the late-summer breezes cruising through the passages and around the many islands… It’s magical.

There’s a lot to do in the San Juan Islands during September: Stop by the farmers’ markets on Orcas and San Juan islands; take a lovely, hilly hike through Cypress Island’s miles of trails; visit the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park and learn all about the 19th-century Pig War.

And if you get a little warm from sunbathing on the Diminuendo’s spacious decks, simply slip into the water for a refreshing swim in the sparkling blue-green waters of the PNW. One recent group of guests enjoyed stargazing on the open seas; with no electric lights around, the view of the sky can be truly incredible.

Book Diminuendo — a charming 2001 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS — for a multi-day cruise through the islands and set your own itinerary, or trust Captain Ron and the mercurial winds of the Salish Sea to guide you. All you have to do is kick back, enjoy home-cooked meals (that’s right; meals are provided on-board!) and let your worries drift away.

Trips can be anywhere from 6 hours (perfect for business meetings or afternoon visit with friends) to 6 days. The longer the trip, the less you’ll pay per person per night. Click here for current rates. To secure an all-inclusive sailing adventure in September, it’s recommended to book at least two months in advance.

Contact Northwest Sailing Adventures today for the perfect September vacation. Captain Ron and First Mate Mari are committed to ensuring that every single person who books with Northwest Sailing has a vacation to remember.

See you in September!

Two keys for choosing the perfect chartered sailing adventure

April 27, 2017 By Mari

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.

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.

The best time of year for the savvy vacationer is the spring ‘shoulder season’

March 8, 2017 By Mari

NW Sailing Adventures The savviest of travelers have a simple strategy for making the most of their precious vacation time:

Use the shoulder season.

They know that the best holidays are found in the magical time when crowds are thin, prices are lower and temperatures are less than sweltering.

In the Pacific Northwest, the spring shoulder season occurs during May and June, after winter has receded and before the schools release their wandering herds.

Note: Gray whales migrate through the area during spring months. Your chances of spotting one can increase!

Imagine the spring breeze in your face as you sail among the hundreds of islands in the San Juan Islands, lush vegetation everywhere. The spring flowers are in full bloom, and the world is positively bursting with life.

Now imagine doing it for hundreds less than you’d pay for an all-inclusive sailboat charter during the summer high season. Sounds great, right?

New Picture We’ve been sailing Diminuendo through the San Juan Islands for long enough to know that the best time to visit, truly, is in the spring. Here are just a few reasons why:

There are fewer people around. In the San Juan Islands, you’ll never see the hordes you’d expect at Disneyland, no matter what time of year. But in the spring, the crowds are even fewer than normal, and you can truly enjoy the famous relaxed pace of island life.

The beachcombing is better. Late winter and early spring storms churn up the beaches and reveal treasures that otherwise might be hidden. Shoulder season adventures are especially good for agate hunting ― and since other beachcombers are few, there’s less competition for the best finds.

The weather is better for sailing. The changing of the seasons is always an interesting time for wind watchers. Fluctuations in temperature and pressure bring with them increases in wind, which, of course, is perfect for a chartered sailboat vacation! Mother Nature is the third member of our crew, and she’s always a reliable worker this time of year. Plus, the temperatures during spring can be more comfortable than in summer.

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!

Prices are lower. If you book a multi-day all-inclusive sailing adventure this spring, you can save $400 to $1,500 off our regular prices. Hard to beat that, right?

To ask about available dates or to book your San Juan sailing adventure, feel free to call, text or email us. We can’t wait to get out on the water for the spring shoulder season! We hope you can join us.

Freshest shellfish around in Westcott Bay!

June 25, 2015 By Mari

The other day, during our travels to San Juan Island, we had the pleasure of experiencing the newly resurrected Westcott Bay Shellfish Co.

After many years of visiting the farm but always having to prioritize their respective career obligations, Erik and Andrea Anderson were dismayed to see the farm decline due to years of neglect.

Just this past year, the stars aligned and they were given the opportunity to purchase and renovate the farm, offering fresh oysters, mussels and clams right out of the waters of Westcott Bay. They are one of the few small, family-run aquaculture farms in the San Juan Islands, emphasizing a hands-on approach to responsible and sustainable farming.

We set anchor in Westcott Bay and dinghyed over to the long wooden dock that extends into Westcott Bay from the farm property. After securing our dinghy at their floating dock we walked the dock to visit the farm. It is a small operation, comprised of an office/retail building, the shellfish holding structure, and a pleasant area with seating and picnic tables. The shellfish beds were spread along the beach shore and further into the waters of Westcott Bay.

We were greeted by Sam, who was very knowledgeable and informative, helping us collect an assortment of oysters and clams. We shucked our fresh oysters at the tables, helping ourselves to complementary lemon and tabasco. After the first oyster however, we realized no additional flavoring was required! There is nothing quite like enjoying oysters in their natural state pulled fresh from cold, local waters on a beautiful summer day!

Back aboard the boat for dinner, we sautéed the clams with white wine, butter, garlic and capers served over linguini pasta. Fabulous!

Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. is located at 904 Westcott Drive, Friday Harbor, WA and is open daily from 11:00am – 5:00pm from now through Labor Day. They can be reached by car or boat.

http://www.westcottbayshellfish.com/home.html

Their phone number is 360.378.2489. If you enjoy fresh shellfish, this is about as fresh as it gets!

Beyond the Boat – Cycling on Lopez Island

May 11, 2015 By Mari

Of all the Islands in the San Juans, Lopez Island has the reputation as being the friendliest. For bicyclists, its reputation is being the friendliest – on their legs! With only a few rolling hills, Lopez is a popular destination for cyclists. Each May the island hosts the popular “Tour de Lopez” a moderate 30+ mile loop that covers pretty much the entire island. With only a few roads on the island and very little automobile traffic, the route is relatively easy to follow. Ron and I did this a couple of summers ago, and we highly recommend it as an addition to your san Juan sailing adventure!http://www.lopezisland.com/files/2015/CCmap15web.pdf

Don’t have your bike with you on Lopez? Not to worry! There are bike rental shops on the island that rent a wide range of two-wheeled options. From one-speed island cruisers to high tech road bikes, tandems and trailers and everything in between, bikes can be rented by the day. Bikes will be delivered free of charge to the marina just outside of Lopez Village. For a small additional fee, they’ll deliver them to other points on the island for your convenience. In addition to renting, the shops sell and service bicycles.

Lopez Bicycle Works has been in business of renting bikes since 1978. They are located by the Lopez Islander Resort and Lopez Kayaks on Fisherman Bay. They are open seven days a week, from May to September each year. Lopez Bicycle Works 2847 Fisherman Bay Road; Lopez Island, WA 98261

(360) 468-2847 http://www.lopezbicycleworks.com/

map: http://www.lopezbicycleworks.com/bikeshopmap.pdf

Village Cycles is located in the heart of “downtown” Lopez Village. In addition to rentals, they also sell bike components and clothing. They also offer private guided bike tours for those wanting to take advantage of local knowledge to enhance their ride!

Village Cycle 214 Lopez Road in Lopez Village.

360-468-4013

info@villagecycles.net

http://villagecycles.net/

The Lopez Islander Resort marina conveniently offers “real” showers at the end of your ride if you want to freshen up after your cycling adventure!http://www.lopezfun.com/marina/in-fisherman-bay.htm

Sailing secret: September in the San Juans

Two keys for choosing the perfect chartered sailing adventure

The best time of year for the savvy vacationer is the spring ‘shoulder season’

Freshest shellfish around in Westcott Bay!

Beyond the Boat – Cycling on Lopez Island

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