Boat Camping in Fossil Bay

Recently we went on our first boat camping trip as three! What an amazing event it was. We set off on a Friday evening and decided to spend the night anchored in one of the most beautiful places in the San Juan islands, Fossil Bay at Sucia Island.

The Mr. checks the weather forecast before we make any trip out on the water, and this particular night it had predicted 1-3' waves. We were quite surprised and happy to see this smooth water, and the trip over to Sucia was very relaxing.


On the left is Orcas Island, on the right is Sucia.


Pulling into Fossil Bay.


Dropping Anchor


The Little One going down for a nap in the bow of the boat. He has his famous "I'm not tired Mommy!" look on his face -eyes wide open! We helped convince him it was nap time by putting a towel over the port-hole to make his cozy nest nice and dark.


My favorite view at Sucia is when the sun is setting over the little strip of island that separates Fossil Bay from Fox Cove.




Our dinner that evening was simple but satisfying. Franks with fried onions, pork n' beans and a green salad.


Time for bed! There is something so fun about getting ready for bed while in the great outdoors. It's so calm and peaceful. The little one was asleep in the cabin while we cleaned up our dinner dishes and settled for the night, but he was eventually transferred to his PeaPod which was set up in the main area of the boat. He actually slept fairly well all things considered, we weren't sure how it would go. It was a shorter sleep, but a better one than I think we both had expected. There are boats coming and going and also other strange noises out on the water that could easily disrupt his sleep. We had draped a blanket over the PeaPod to keep out the early morning light, and I do think that it was good for extra warmth as well, even though he was bundled up like an Eskimo baby.


In the AM he got some snuggle time with Mommy and Daddy in the cabin. I think here it looks like he is saying something like "Whoa daddy, what happened last night? What's going on here? Where are we?!" he seemed a bit disoriented.


The breakfast for boating champions. Scrambled eggs, sausage patties and fried red potatoes.


Another nap. Oh how I love this sweet, sweet sleeping baby!


"Well hello there."


Check out those toothless gums. Love 'em.




This Bungalow360 small satchel was a baby shower gift and it has proved to be an excellent gift. It is the perfect size and shape for a couple of diapers, a wipes case, an extra onesie, paci etc. when hiking or walking somewhere and the diaper bag is too bulky to carry. Just thought I'd mention it in case someone else is looking to solve the same problem. I wear it over my shoulder, and even loaded with all the above mentioned items, I can still fit in my camera as well.


This sweet older woman rowed to our boat and as we struck up a conversation with her, she offered to give us a lift to the island, which was so kind of her! We did have a raft with us and just hadn't blown it up yet, but it really made our day to meet someone so kind.

When we did blow up our raft and make our way to the island, we decided to go on a hike. Sucia has such beautiful walking trails.


Mt. Baker as viewed from Echo Bay.


To the left is South Finger Island in Echo bay. Sucia's many small surrounding islands make it so interesting, click here for the map and notice all the little islands and the neat shapes they form.


This is the Echo Bay campground area. Many people anchor their boats in the bay and kayak or dingy their camping supplies to this area as there are no docks in this bay.


Our destination is to the left!


The China Caves. I can't find a good link right now, but rumor has it (I'll call it a rumor currently, as I can't find proof, although this information is posted on many different sites) that Chinese slaves escaped and hid in these caves and that is how they became known as the China Caves. There are amazing spots where you can go inside, but we didn't do any climbing.




A sandy beach can be found in Shallow Bay right in front of the China Caves. This is something that is somewhat rare in the San Juans as they are mostly rocky.




The Mr. and The Little One just chillin' in the shade. It was a hot day!


Grins for daddy.


Shallow Bay


Madrone


Our Boat hanging out at anchor. We can't wait to go out again!