Close your eyes on any shoreline of Fidalgo Island and listen. You will likely hear evidence of a water adventure, from the roar of a boat motor to the slap of oars on the surface of a lake or bay- from the distinctive blast of a ferry horn to the shouts of a sailboat skipper to crew. If your summer "to-do" list includes fun on the water, put Anacortes at the center of your itinerary.
Close your eyes on any shoreline of Fidalgo Island and listen. You will likely hear evidence of a water adventure, from the roar of a boat motor to the slap of oars on the surface of a lake or bay – from the distinctive blast of a ferry horn to the shouts of a sailboat skipper to crew. If your summer “to-do” list includes fun on the water, put Anacortes at the center of your itinerary!
It is no accident that many of this maritime city’s businesses and special events focus on the water. Since its incorporation in 1891, the backbone of the local economy has been marine-oriented business and trades. That rich maritime history is obvious everywhere, from restaurant menus to shop inventories.
The free, family-friendly Waterfront Festival overflows with opportunities for fun on the water. Sign up for a free boat ride on Fidalgo Bay with volunteers from the Anacortes Yacht Club. Grab a hammer and free components to help your child build his or her own toy sailboat, and then watch their eyes light up as they “launch” their boat in a large pool of water nearby. This community celebration is packed with marine-oriented events, from the delivery of salty sea shanties on the Main Stage to remote control boats that can be viewed from marina docks or esplanade. And you won’t want to miss the always-exciting Quick n Dirty boat demonstration featuring custom-built vessels of questionable seaworthiness! It is also at Cap Sante Marina that many other water adventures are offered on a daily basis. From this marina, and from Skyline Marina on the west side of the city, whale watching boats boast a full seasonal schedule. Also based at local marinas are fishing charters and boat rentals operated by outdoorsmen whose passion and knowledge of the region guarantee a memorable Northwest experience.
If you own your own boat, from kayak or canoe to dinghy or cruiser, public launches are available for lakes and Sound. City, county, and state offer public boat launches on lakes including Campbell, Heart, Pass, Erie, and Cranberry. Saltwater launches range from the ramp at scenic Washington Park to small- and large-boat launches at Cap Sante Marina.
Kayakers love the city’s Seafarers’ Memorial Park, which features a pristine cove and its own small boat dock. Husband and wife team Eric and Megan Schorr launch many of their kayak adventures from this location. On the Fidalgo side of Deception Pass State Park, many kayakers choose to launch from Rosario Beach. Also popular among those interested in the south Fidalgo area is the jet boat operated by Captain Brett Ginther of Deception Pass Tours.
If you don’t want to leave your car behind on your water excursion, options include Washington State Ferries, with a local terminal serving the renowned San Juan Islands and Canada (Sidney, B.C.). A small county-operated ferry also links Anacortes with Guemes Island. Also associated with behind-the-wheel excursions are two breathtaking viewpoints: Mt. Erie, with a view of Lake Campbell and North Whidbey Island, and Cap Sante, with a view of the city, the mainland, and the San Juan Islands. Each viewpoint also offers a network of trails. Oh, and don’t forget your camera.
In celebration of the seasonal combination of warm weather and water, the Port of Anacortes hosts a series of live music events including Wednesday Big Band performances and Friday Night Concerts at Seafarers’ Memorial Park overlooking Fidalgo Bay. These summer schedule events start on July 4, running into August.
Anacortes has numerous marinas for locals and visitor usage. The Cap Sante Marina is owned by the Port of Anacortes and has earned many awards for its beautiful facilities – amenities include fuel, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and launch capabilities. The Anacortes Marina is a privately-owned condominium facility with covered and open rental slips, located on the east side of Anacortes. No transient moorage is available and slips are available by annual lease only. The Skyline Marina is on the west side of Fidalgo Island, with moorage, storage, launching facilities, and fuel. Permanent and transient moorage are both available; Floats, with 20 and 30-ampere power and water accommodate vessels to 100′.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing,” says Captain Brett Rosson.
Rosson, of Highliner Charters, is one of a handful of Anacortes charter fishermen who will tell you that some of the best fishing happens during the winter months and that some of the best fishing in the Pacific Northwest is just off the shores of Fidalgo Island. “A lot of people are surprised to learn we offer year-round fishing,” Rosson says. “Truth is, a good winter day can be clear and calm. And on a good day in January or February, our boat will bring home up to four Blackmouths (juvenile King salmon), in the 7- to 12-pound range.”
Jolly Mon Charters, R&R charters, and Catchmore Charters are available at the local marinas on the Island. Once aboard the boat, you’re just a short distance to Rosario Strait and the San Juan Islands. Clients are asked to show up at the marina with food, drink—and warm clothing, including rain gear and soft-soled shoes. Forgot some gear? Need a meal for the boat? No worries! It’s available for purchase in Anacortes. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—even in winter. The rest – boat, tackle, equipment, and any needed expertise – come with the charter package.
A single-day fishing license is required for every onboard passenger age 15 or older; state fishing licenses, good for the year, can be purchased at Ace Hardware in Anacortes.
Fish or no, fall and winter charters include memorable water and island vistas and wildlife sightings: seals, sea lions, harbor porpoises, bald eagles, and other raptors, and a huge variety of sea birds are common. Bringing along your camera, binoculars, and a good bird ID book can add greatly to time on the water—and stories to tell at the end of the day.
Anacortes Kayak Tours – AKT is a fun-loving group of outdoor professionals who know how to create rewarding experiences for guests of all ages and experiences – family-friendly, and family-run! From April through Mid-October, enjoy regularly scheduled day trips that depart from their conveniently located kayak docks in Anacortes. Custom Trips are available year-round. Anacortes Kayak Tours has been the Winner of BEST Eco Adventure for 2013, 2012, and 2010.
Island Adventures Whale Watching – Locally owned and operated out of Anacortes, they’ve been active members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association since 1996. Their success rate is second to none, with whales sighted on 6431 out of 6630 tours since 2002. They’ve taken the top award as Winner of the BEST Whale Watching from 2010 to 2015 – that’s six years in a row!