Learn to Sail - Sailnorthwest Charters, LLC

We keep our classes small! Two to three students per class have fun learning and exploring the beautiful San Juan Islands. Small classes allow for lots of hands on experience and more time to build on the water confidence. Sail Northwest Charters has been in business for eight years, teaching women, men and kids to love sailing and be the the 'captain of their own ship'! Our week long 'Cruise and Learn' class is very popular with guys, gals and honeymoon couples. Captain Judy Mickel, ASA Instructor and shown below with the crab catch, loves to help others to be competent and safe on the water while having a blast. Our classes stress safety, anchoring (waking up where you went to bed!), docking, man overboard techniques, navigation skills, knots and sailing lingo, while learning on our 32' Islander. Tides and currents are a challenge in the San Juan Islands and as you learn to plot and navigate they will be taken into account.

Sailing in the beautiful San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest is an experience not to be missed. The beautiful islands, great Southwest winds and sea life will enrich your sailing life. There are many marine parks with great moorage and shelter. The islands themselves offer great trails for hiking and walking. Sucia is one of the most popular state marine parks with many gorgeous anchorages and awesome sunsets. The seals can be found bathing in the sun on the large rocks along the shore. Dahl's porpoise with their shiny black and white underbellies can be spotted in the area, sometimes riding your bow wake.

Roche Harbor is another favorite destination when you are ready to go ashore for a great dinner and quaint shopping. Located on San Juan Island it is close to some beautiful anchorages that offer great crabbing and sight seeing. Garrison Bay is a favorite with locals. You will find the historic British Camp, site of the 'Pig War' of the late 1800's. You will find the history of the area quite fascinating as you visit the museum located at the fort.

As you continue your journey into Haro Straights it is likely that you will come upon the Orca Whales. They put on quite a show as they breach out of the water and come splashing down, giving sailors a thrill. Haro Straights, as well as most other channels and straights, can have interesting currents that run up to 4 knots. It is always prudent to check tides and currents when sailing the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Contact us for a comprehensive class itinerary and we will be glad to get it out to you right away.

Judy Mickel
Sail Northwest Charters, LLC
info@sailnw.com
707-245-7490

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