Sheltered Anchorage Options in Chuckanut Bay

Charted depths in Chuckanut Bay run roughly 25–40 feet in the northern corners and about 30 feet in Pleasant Bay, offering reliable holding for keelboats and small trawlers looking to ride out southerlies that can reach the high 30s to upper 60s in extreme storms.

Bay layout and practical sheltering logistics

Chuckanut Bay sits just south of Bellingham, tucked under Chuckanut Mountain, and functions as a compact, multi-aspect anchorage system for vessels transiting the San Juan Islands or repositioning through the Salish Sea. Its shape gives two distinct protection regimes: South Chuckanut (Pleasant Bay) offers tight lee from strong southerlies and southwest gusts, while North Chuckanut provides reduced fetch from northerlies thanks to a train trestle and shoreline configuration.

Why this matters to cruisers and charter operators

For skippers running charters or short-term boat rentals, knowing available depths and shore access is logistics gold: it enables prudent planning of crew changes, provisioning stops, or emergency diversions. Tidal constraints around the bridge and park landings require timing when using tenders; get those windows wrong and the dinghy could be stuck in sticky mud.

South Chuckanut: Pleasant Bay specifics

The southwest corner — Pleasant Bay — is the go-to spot for shelter from a big southerly. The shoreline here is steep and largely private; anchoring in roughly 30 feet in the cove generally provides protection from prevailing southeast or southwest winds. Expect moderate depths and good holding; several recorded instances show vessels comfortably riding out 35–40 knot winds with minimal swing.

North Chuckanut: train trestle and park access

At the northern end the protection is less absolute but still useful. Anchorages in the northerly corners (about 25–40 feet) get fetch curtailed by the nearby train trestle — the noise is hardly a deal-breaker. In moderate southerlies, tactically tucking up against the western shoreline north of the charted rock yields additional lee.

Shore access and tide notes

There are two practical landing points for tenders or kayaks:

• Public park under the bridge at high tide — easy access to Chuckanut Drive but beware the tidal window.
• Teddy Bear Cove Park — small beach and wooden stairs; good for short hikes and exploring Madrona-strewn points.

Anchoring and safety checklist

When planning a winter layup or quick stopover, consider this crew-friendly checklist:

• Confirm scope of chain/rode for 25–40 ft depths; plan for tidal range and surge.
• Use a trip line or secondary anchor if expecting wind shifts.
• Monitor forecasts for strong northerlies and southerlies — storms can pop up fast.
• Have a dinghy plan for ashore access — note sticky mud and tidal traps.
• Communicate intentions to nearby marinas or fellow cruisers if operating a charter or rental.

Local recreation and shoreline notes

Teddy Bear Cove and the park under the bridge provide short hikes and scenic viewpoints — the point here is littered with twisted Madrona and rock pools worth poking around. For renters and yacht charters, shore time can add a nice land-based activity between sails: short hikes, rock-pooling, or a picnic before heading back to boat duties.

Operational tips for charter captains and renters

Charter skippers and boat-rental operators should log Chuckanut Bay as a contingency harbor when planning Gulf Island or San Juan itineraries. The bay's proximity to Bellingham makes it handy for midwife appointments, provisioning runs, or crew swaps — practical considerations that often get overlooked when plotting routes on paper.

On a more human note: during late 2014 a crew making frequent Bellingham stops for Jill’s medical appointments timed wind windows carefully and used Chuckanut Bay repeatedly as a safe haven; Magnus arrived December 27, and the crew’s contingency planning paid off. Moral of the story? When the going gets tough, batten down the hatches and pick a harbor you trust.

In short, Chuckanut Bay offers dependable depths and multiple lee options for winter cruising: Pleasant Bay for southerly shelter, northerly corners for reduced fetch, and two practical shore landings for short hikes or provisioning. These features make it a useful stop for yachts, charters, and rental boats operating in the Salish Sea — whether you're after calm water for a night, planning activities ashore, or staging near Bellingham's marinas. Wrap-up: this bay’s anchorages and shore access make it a smart choice for yacht crews and captains plotting safe shelter, and for anyone looking to rent or charter a boat nearby for fishing, yachting, or scenic cruising on the sea and ocean — perfect for those chasing sunseeker days, clearwater views, and easy access to marinas and gulf routes.