Anacortes: Pacific Northwest Yacht Charter Gateway

Situated on Fidalgo Island, the most accessible of the San Juan archipelago, Anacortes serves as the jumping-off point when chartering in this portion of the Pacific Northwest. But rushing to the boat and only seeing the town’s grocery store would be a mistake. Instead, take a day or two before or after your charter to stroll through galleries, visit nearby sights and enjoy the vibe of a small town with a rich maritime history.

In the 1870s, Amos Bowman established a general store and post office on the site of the present-day town, whose name is said to be a condensation of his wife’s, Anna Curtis. Boom and bust periods followed. At one point folks speculated that Anacortes was to become the western terminus of the transcontinental railroad to take advantage of the deep water harbor. That never came to fruition and the town reinvented itself with fishing, canning, and lumber industries until they went into decline by the 1950s. Since then, the 16-square mile town has built its economy around tourism. With 12 miles of shoreline, over 65 miles of public hiking trails and two million visitors each year, Anacortes has finally found its niche.
Wander around Old Town to visit art galleries, antique shops and award-winning restaurants that often feature live music in the evenings. Nearby Skagit Valley is a source of excellent local produce and the surrounding waters are a giant fishery, a great source of a variety of fresh seafood. You’ll eat well in any establishment, fancy or casual. On Saturday mornings, May to September, there is a farmer’s market complete with local foods and crafts. If you’re looking for a souvenir, you might consider locally-made scrimshaw or one of the beautiful prints by photographers that capture the sea life and ambience in all its glory.
As a boater, you won’t want to miss Marine Supply & Hardware right on the main drag in Old Town. Presumably the oldest marine hardware store on the West Coast, the place is part chandlery, part museum, part consignment store and part salty dog’s attic. You can easily lose yourself in there for an hour as you explore the shiny new stuff and the dusty old bits, all next to one another on packed shelves.
For a little history, visit Anacortes’ two museums. The actual museum was completed in 1911 and in 1977 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is free to visit. The second is the W. T. Preston, the last sternwheeler to work in Puget Sound. Built in 1882, the Preston removed navigational hazards from the bays and harbors of the sound 1885-1914. You can tour it for $3 per adult and kids under 16 are free.

If you want to spend an afternoon just wandering the docks, go to Cap Sante Boat Haven, the downtown marina where you’ll never find a locked gate. You can walk the docks and meet local liveaboards or cruisers passing through. If you charter from Crown Yacht Charters (formerly ABC Yacht Charters) this will be your departure point. Meander the docks and soon you’ll be having sundowners with boaters who always make time to talk to strangers.
Anacortes is the terminus for three ferries so you can jump aboard and visit islands you may have missed on your charter. A direct connection will take you to Sidney, British Columbia, which is Anacortes' sister city in Canada. Passports are required. And of course, if you didn’t spot the orcas from your charter boat deck, try again with one of the whale watching boats that have the inside scoop on where to go. For a bird’s-eye view of the cruising grounds you just visited (or are planning to sail to) on your charter, consider a scenic trip from the local airport. Thirty and 45 minute flights can be arranged with several companies, which in some cases, will make the five-mile drive to pick you up.
Lodging is plentiful and mostly readily available except on busy August and holiday weekends. You can book anything from modern hotels to charming B & Bs at reasonable prices. The Anoco Inn is a nice choice if you’re looking for cute rooms or large cabins that can house a whole family.
The city is a 90-minute drive from Seattle airport. Shuttle busses run regularly from the airport or you can rent a car which will come in handy to provision the charter boat as well as to explore nearby sights like Deception Pass State Park, just ten miles from town. Here you can cross the bridge you probably went under on your charter boat on your way to Cornet Bay. Relax in Washington Park on the tip of Fidalgo Island or take the Chuckanut drive north to Bellingham, a top-rated scenic tour.
The weather is fairly mild year-round but bring all kinds of clothing because one day you’ll need foulies in the drizzle and the next you’ll be stripping down to your T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. The town is casual and you’ll be fine in most establishments with a fleece and jeans.
Anacortes is a small town with a homey feel but there’s no shortage of things to do, good food to eat, or friendly people to meet. You’ve traveled a long way to get here so you might as well get to know and enjoy it before or after you set out on the water.