The Yacht Insider: Charter in the San Juan Islands
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, take in the food, fishing, hiking and humpback whales of the Pacific Northwest.
August 11, 2009
It is an absolute tragedy that the San Juan Islands are so often overlooked as a great cruising destination. More than half the world’s crewed charters take place in the Mediterranean each year, with summer locales such as the Bahamas and New England combined comprising barely one-fifth of that European region’s volume. In pie charts that track such things, the Pacific Northwest, which includes the San Juans, typically falls into a nearly invisible sliver labeled “other.” If you didn’t know to ask about them, then it’s possible you would never even know the San Juans were a charter vacation option.
Roche Harbor, San Juan Islands
These islands between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, Canada, are uniquely beautiful. Every time I’ve visited by boat between the months of May and September, I have found terrific eateries ashore, hiking trails galore, fishing practically by the fistful, and memorable views of black bears, humpback whales, and snow-capped peaks. There is a peacefulness to the place, too, that I have never experienced in more popular cruising grounds. Precious few charter yachts call the San Juans home, which often means blissful solitude in the anchorages.
I was reminded of the San Juans’ beauty recently by two unusual announcements from local charter companies. First, in late May, CEO Expeditions stated that it is offering “expenses-only” charters this summer aboard its motoryachts, the 120-foot Kayana and the 100-foot Katania. With normal base rates as high as $105,000 per week, these yachts’ temporary rates of less than $30,000 have created quite a stir.
Not one week later, in early June, Infinity Yacht Charters announced that its 114-foot motoryacht Pacific Yellowfin and 120-foot motoryacht Spirit of 2010 will be available for almost unheard-of winter charter dates in the area, to coincide with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. What a fantastic opportunity to avoid traffic jams onshore by heading over to the bobsled venue in your yacht’s tender.
Charter broker Beverly Parsons of Interpac Yachts says the 88-foot motorsailer Sea Angel is offering free fuel and provisions as part of the $24,000 weekly rate for six guests in the Pacific Northwest, for the rest of this summer.
Yes, it will be cold-weather as opposed to cool-weather cruising in February and March, but the sheltered waters that the San Juans and the rest of the Pacific Northwest offer should make for a fantastic experience, just as they do at this time of year.
Editor's Note: Kim Kavin is an award-winning writer, editor and photographer who specializes in marine travel. She is the author of six books including Dream Cruises: The Insider’s Guide to Private Yacht Vacations, and is editor of the online yacht vacation magazine www.CharterWave.com. You can follow her daily blog updates there, or her feed at www.Twitter.com/CharterWave.
