You have to plan ahead before entering Deception Pass. The pass is narrow, surrounded by rocks and cliffs. The tides are large. The currents and the eddies are strong. If you time it wrong, you’ll end up on the rocks. Most boats don’t do well on the rocks. They end up with scrapes and holes. Not good. If you time it right, it’s an incredibly beautiful experience.
Well, we timed it right. And it was incredibly beautiful. We entered the pass, motoring just past two tug boats maneuvering a huge log train, waiting for a complete slack tide before making their move. A lone sail boat was just ahead, crabbing his way under the bridge. The currents were too strong and began pushing him way too close to the cliff. Engine on, all is good. Brave soul. We passed him as he turned off his engin once under the bridge.
It took us about 30 minutes to make our way completely through the pass where we could finally say we had left the San Juan Islands. Look out Seattle. Here we come!
July 2020