Blakely Island
Blakely Island is in San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Understand
Centrally located in the San Juan Islands, Blakely Island is the sixth largest island encompassing a land area of 16.852 km² (6.507 sq m) and the largest island not served by a ferry. It is separated from Cypress Island to the east by Rosario Strait. If your looking for an exciting adventure, keep on looking. But if your looking for quiet and solitude than Blakely Island might be your destination.
History
Blakely Island was named by Charles Wilkes during the Wilkes Expedition of 1838-1842, in honor of Johnston Blakeley, a naval commander during the War of 1812.
Get in
There is no ferry service to Blakely Island. Access is only by boat or private ferry, arriving at the marina at the northern tip of the island.
See
- 🌍 James Island Marine State Park, ☏ +1 360-376-2073. is just to the south of Blakely Island and accessible by boat, this 113-acre marine camping and moorage park with 12,335 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rosario Strait. The park features a beautiful western view of the San Juan islands from a high bluff along the loop trail. The Wilkes Expedition named the island in 1841 to honor the earlier heroism of an American sailor, Reuben James. The federal government acquired the island and transferred it to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1964. James Island has 13 campsites at three locations on the island. The Water Trail Site is on a hill above a pocket cove of the West Cove and has three campsites (sites 11-13) and a pit toilet. These campsites are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail and are strictly reserved for use by boats arriving by human- or wind-powered watercraft. The Saddle Area spans from the West Cove shoreline across the island to the East Cove. There are six campsites (sites 5-10), a picnic shelter and two picnic sites, composting toilet facilities, pay station and moorage dock. A trail leads to the East Cove where there are four offshore mooring buoys. The loop trail system starts and ends here. The bottom structure at the West Cove is rocky and steeply sloped. It is not a good anchorage site. The East Cove campground is a short walk from the Saddle area and has four campsites (sites 1-4), one pit toilet, bulletin board and pay station. From here, the loop trail leads southwest to the Water Trail campsites on the southwest side of the West Cove. Boaters moored in the East Cove are exposed to wakes from boat traffic in Rosario Strait. -There is no potable water on the island and no garbage service. Visitors need to pack-out what they pack-in. Boats may not use dinghies to reserve moorage space on the dock or buoys. Campers and boaters must self register and pay fees at the bulletin board/pay station.
Do
Birdwatching
The San Juan Islands are in the Pacific coast flyaway which extends from Alaska to South America and almost 300 species of birds have been observed on the islands. The islands offer an extensive variety of environments from rocky sea shores to lush wetlands offering a large number of habitats for birds in a relatively compact area. The San Juan Audubon Society holds regular meetings, bird counts and postings of bird activity on their website . Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, Kingfishers and Cormorants are all common sites on the islands but rare birds are sometimes seen migrating through the area.
Crabbing
Sport crab fishing is popular in the area with most fishermen looking for the elusive and meaty Dungeness Crab, but other less popular crabs are plentiful in the area. Crab season starts with a two-day opener July 1st and 2nd and follows up with crabbing every Thursday through Monday through Labor Day weekend. A wide array of crab traps are available from a variety of area sporting goods stores and the red and white buoys marking the traps are a common site on the water during the short crabbing season. Fishing permits are required and can be purchased from a variety of local stores, more information is available from the Washington Dept of Fishing and wildlife
Buy
- Blakely Island General Store & Marina, 1 Marina Dr, ☏ +1 360 375-6121. this popular General Store is the only shop on the island. It's central location makes it a popular place for boaters to restock when exploring the islands and there is even an ice-cream & candy counter .
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