A Boater’s Guide Through the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest region of the country is known for offering unique and enchanted experiences. From jungles to mountains to cliff-lined shores, Oregon and Washington are stocked full of opportunities to experience luxury and adventure. If you enjoy taking your boat to amazing ports and stopping to explore wonderful areas, consider taking your boat to the Pacific Northwest. In this article, we will share the perfect itinerary for your boating vacation. 

Stop 1: San Juan Islands

As you depart your yacht from Emerald Landing in Seattle, make your way to the San Juan Islands. This trek is roughly three hours. As you venture through the beautiful waters, you will likely have the ability to see marine animals and wildlife. Once you arrive at the San Juan Islands, there are many opportunities to have unique dining experiences. Filled with lighthouses and national historic parks, there is much to explore among the island. Make sure to bring a jacket, as this destination is known for being chilly and windy. From fishing to hiking, orca watching to camping, this destination has a lot of character.

Stop 2: Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is located in the North Cascades National Park in Washington. Adorned with glaciers, snowtops, and valleys, this area is incredibly diverse. With over 20 vineyards in the area, you can leave the boat and spend the day wining and dining. Not only are their vineyards, there are restaurants and shops that have local goods and produce. Since this destination is accessible by lake, it is more suitable for boaters who do not like traveling rough, commercial waters.

Stop 3: The Willamette Valley

From Newberg to Willamette Falls, this stretch of river is peaceful and subtle, and is known for inviting athletes to participate in a variety of water sports. From skiing to wakeboarding, you can often find individuals who are practicing their skills. Along this valley, there are a few different small towns that you can dock. In these towns, there are historic streets and small restaurants that are extremely hospitable. This river allows an opportunity to experience the central regions of Oregon.

Stop 4:  Coos Bay

Coos Bay is a lovely area off of the coast of Oregon that is known for being between central to the Puget Sound and the San Francisco Bay. Many different types of boaters visit this destination for an opportunity to explore the rugged waters of the pacific. Due to the location of this port, boaters can experience a very localized pacific northwest experience. Since it is parallel to a rural area of Oregon, there are many dives and diners that you can visit in this area. 

The Pacific Northwest is an enchanted part of the United States that offers unique experiences to boaters. Whether you are inland on a river or coasting along the coast, you will get to see the moist air, luscious forests, and a variety of marine animals. Many boaters are attracted to Oregon and Washington because they can experience rugged waters but dock their boats in beautiful areas. 

Feature Photo by Keith Jonson on Unsplash