
The protected waters of Puget Sound have long been a sailor’s paradise. More than 170 islands comprise Washington State’s San Juan County alone, and literally hundreds more are just over the border in Canada.
This Travel Notes page provides useful information about Anacortes. From airport procedures to currency exchange it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.
Base Manager
Mike Lovell
Address
Anacortes Marina
2415 T Ave. Suite 2,
Anacortes, WA 98221
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 7 days a week
Base Facilities
You will find showers facilities, ice cubes & blocks, kayak rentals, weather information and public telephones. Telephone calls, faxes and e-mail can be sent from The Moorings base.
How to Get There
Fly to Seattle Tacoma Airport and take a taxi or airport shuttle to the base.
Distance from base: 80 miles.
Servicing Airlines
All major airlines charter airlines & float planes.
Due to the number of flights which we organise, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact your Vacation Planning Specialist before you book your flights.
Customs / Immigration Information
A valid passport (for each passenger) and onward ticket are required for entry.
Customs clearance is required when crossing the U.S./Canadian Border.
All guests age 15 and over will be required to have a passport for clearance.
Airport
Seattle Tacoma Airport
Airport Transfers
Transfers from the airport to the base are not included. Airport Shuttle Service is available.
Sea-Tac Airporter Shuttle – Tel: 800-423-4219
Triangle Van Service – Tel: 800-255-2281
Elegant Limousine – Tel: 800-209-1082
Arrival / Departure Procedure
Embarkation: Charters start at either 9:00 am or 11:00 am.
Briefing Times: The total check out process will take an average of three (3) hours – longer for larger vessels.
Skipper’s Briefing - approximately one (1) hour and includes:
- Clearing customs - WA tax rebate procedures - Boat service & emergency
- Check in procedures - Hard to navigate cruising areas
Skippers must attend the briefing along with one crew member. Our insurance underwriter requires repeat skippers to attend as well.
Onboard Orientation & Boat Handling - approximately two (2) hours and includes:
- Electronics, plumbing, engine, rigging, etc. - Location of all safety gear
- Slip & marina maneuvering - Handling characteristics
Please do not load the yacht until after the check out is complete.
Disembarkation: All charters end at 1 PM at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.
Taxi
Local in Anacortes – Triangle Taxi 360-293-3979
Car Rental
Enterprise Leasing: 360-293-4325
U-Save: 877-451-6985
Area: 11.8 sq miles (28.7 sq km)
Population: 15,800
Official Languages: English
Ethnic groups: Caucasian (96.2) European descent (2.3%) Other (1.5)
Government: Democratic
Tipping: Tip according to quality of service. 10-15% is the norm if it has not been included.
Currency: The currency used is US Dollars.
Electricity: 120 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. The Anacortes Marina pier is equipped with 110V power outlets. The majority of our yachts are equipped with power lines, battery charger and 110V plugs. There is a 12V cigarette lighter outlet by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Time: Pacific Standard Time used on all San Juan Islands / Coordinated Universal Time - 7 hours
Festivals & Holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
Last Monday in May: Memorial Day
4 July: Independence Day
1st Monday in Sept: Labor Day
4th Thurs in November: Thanksgiving Day
25 December: Christmas Day
| Moveable Public Holidays | 2009 | 2010 |
| Good Friday | 10 April | 2 April |
| Easter | 12 April | 4 April |
| Easter Monday | 13 April | 5 April |
Hotels
Anaco Bay Inn
Anaco Inn
Cap Sante Inn
Islands Inn
Majestic Inn
Marina Inn
Ship Harbor Inn
Restaurants
Anacortes Brewery/Rockfish Grill
Bella Isola Ristorante Italiano
Greek Islands Restaurant
El Jinete
Café Adrift
Billy Ray’s (View Dining)
Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Post Office
Post Office: Letters can be posted from Anacortes.
Cellular Phones
U.S. service works quite well in the Islands. Check with your carrier for roaming charges.
Tourist Information Centres
Chamber of Commerce
819 Commercial Avenue, Suite F
Anacortes, WA 98221
Tel: 360-293-7911
Banks
Generally open between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (5:30 pm Fridays).
Horizon Bank (ATM), Wells Fargo (ATM) & Bank of America (ATM) have a branch in Anacortes and will exchange foreign currency.
Currencies / Money Exchange
Currency: The currency used is US Dollars.
Accepted Forms of Payment: Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in most places. American Express is accepted at some locations.
Diving
Anacortes Diving & Supply provides rental equipment, shore dives, certification
eMail: anadive@fidalgo.net
Phone: 360-293-2070
Store Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM every day
Fishing
Fishing is allowed and a license is required & available at AYC
Fishing poles & net rental available from AYC; bait close by
Kayaking
Kayaks are available at the marinas.
Please add a "special request" in the contract to advise the marina that the client is interested in renting a kayak
Hiking/Biking
Lake, mountain & protected forest lands host thousands of trails and rock climbing opportunities with gorgeous views. Lopez Island is a bikers paradise. Moran State Park on Orcas Island is well known for it’s trails.
Marina Information
Local Dockage Facilities
Moorings and dock space can be reserved at most harbors prior to arrival by calling ahead. A listing of Marina phone numbers and VHF Channels are provided by Anacortes Yacht Charters.
Friday Harbor Marina
Marina is full service with showers, toilets, restaurant, fuel, ice, water.
The laundry is 1 ½ blocks away from the marina open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Clients may stay in the Marina as long as they wish or return at any time during the charter.
Grocery Store - 2 blocks away - open 7 days
Water is complimentary
Ice and diesel are available
The office is located at the base of the dock and is open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm.(summer hours); 8:00am – 5:00pm (winter hours)
Security personnel are available to assist from 7:00 pm - 12:00 am.
Electricity Information
Current is 110V, 15, 30, 20 & 50 amps (depending on the marina), US type outlets.
The Anacortes dock is equipped with 110V. power outlets.
All of our yachts are equipped with power lines, battery charger and 110V. plugs.
There is a 12V. cigar lighter and several 110V outlets by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Sailing Area Restrictions
Restricted Zones
This information is covered in the office orientation briefing.
Cruising Information
Cruising area extends to waters of Puget Sound and tributaries, not more than 25 miles beyond Cape Flattery, and the inside waters of British Columbia not north of 51 degrees North Latitude.
Outside cruising limits permitted with refundable liability coverage.
Interesting Sites
Please visit the Itinerary Page for more of the best places to visit on your trip. While you are in Anacortes take the opportunity to visit these other cultural attractions.
Deception Pass Bridge & State Park (30 minutes drive).
Vancouver British Columbia, Canada (90 minute drive)
Seattle, Washington (90 minute drive)
Whale Watching - between May - September / June is touted as the best month to view whales, as the feeding is very good during that time.
Art Galleries & Antique Shops
Moorings Provisioning
If you don't want to spend your holiday in supermarkets or buying food, Moorings offers a fantastic range of Food and Drinks packages which can be pre-ordered and will be on your boat when you arrive.
Supermarkets
Food Pavillion
Large supermarket (credit cards except AMEX)
10 minute walk
Open 7 days a week 6 am - 11 pm
Safeway
Large supermarket (credit cards except AMEX)
12 minute walk
Open: 7 days a week 6 am – 12 midnight
Walgreens Drug
Large drugstore (credit cards excepted)
7 minute walk
Open 7 days a week 8 am – 10 pm
Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
Anacortes Police Department
1218 24th Street Anacortes, WA 9821
Phone: 360.293.4684 Fax: 360.293.1935
Vaccination and Immunization Information
At time of publication, an International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory
Clients wanting more information on vaccinations and immunizations should contact:
The Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers' Hotline in the USA at 404-639-3534.
Detailed traveler's advice on traveling abroad can also be found at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm. This website is in English.
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