San Juan Islands
Garrison Bay — San Juan Island
Holding: Good
Shelter: Good
Shore access
Anchorage Pacific Northwest
About This Anchorage
Garrison Bay lies within British Camp, the northern unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park. The bay anchors in history as the site of the 1860s Pig War standoff between American and British forces — a conflict resolved without a shot fired. Today it's a tranquil anchorage surrounded by open meadows and historic blockhouses, with a free dock for dinghy landing and exceptional wildlife viewing in the surrounding kelp beds.
Highlights
- British Camp historic blockhouses and formal garden (National Park)
- Young Hill trail with panoramic view of Haro Strait
- Free NPS dinghy dock open seasonally
- Excellent orca watching in Haro Strait (J, K, L pods)
- Swimming buoys in bay — warm and protected
Cautions & Notes
- No mooring buoys — anchoring only; set two anchors in SW winds
- National Park regulations apply; no beach fires
- Nightly limit on anchored vessels during peak season
- Exposed to south; strong SE winds can make it untenable