Anchorage· James· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
James Island Marine State Park (James Island)
48° 30.8′ N · 122° 46.1′ W · approximate
A small, steep island off Decatur Head facing Rosario Strait, with coves on each side joined by a short trail. It has buoys, a dock and primitive camp sites, and views across to Anacortes and Mount Baker.
Practical
Position is approximate, in East Cove. East Cove: four buoys (no boats over 45 ft), exposed to wake from Rosario Strait traffic. West Cove: 128 ft dock; a moorage dock is also listed at the saddle area. Docks and buoys stay in all year. The surrounding water is deep with swift currents, and the gap between James and Decatur is deep but narrow. No drinking water (alert posted June 16, 2025); pit and composting toilets; 13 camp sites (West Cove sites for paddlers only). Steep banks and cliffs on the trails. James Island West is on the Northwest Straits voluntary no-anchor map: use the dock or anchor outside the eelgrass. State Parks moorage (2025 rates, still posted in 2026): buoys $23 a night, docks $1 per foot ($23 minimum), charged from 1 pm to 8 am all year. Self-register and pay on arrival, rafted boats included; phone registration is posted at the buoys. An annual State Parks moorage permit ($7 per foot, $80 minimum) covers docks and buoys.
Best for
First or last stop near Anacortes
Season
Year-round; best May-Sep
Nearby
- Washington Park (Anacortes)3 NM away
- Strawberry Bay (Cypress Island)3.5 NM away
- Anacortes Ferry Terminal, Ship Harbor (Fidalgo Island)3.6 NM away
- Skyline Marina, Flounder Bay (Anacortes)3.7 NM away
- Spencer Spit State Park (Lopez Island)3.8 NM away
- Burrows Bay (Fidalgo Island)4.5 NM away
- Hunter Bay (Lopez Island)4.5 NM away
- Blakely Island Marina and Store (Blakely Island)4.8 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).