West Sound Marina
About
Located on the west side of Orcas Island, West Sound provides a quieter alternative marina with good holding and protection from the main shipping lanes. The facility offers basic amenities with easy access to hiking trails and the scenic backcountry of Orcas. A peaceful stop for cruisers seeking to escape the busier East Sound areas while still enjoying the beauty of the San Juan Islands.
Specifications & Services
Fuel & Services
Amenities
Events Near Orcas Island
All events →class
Marine VHF Radio Operator Certification — Spring 2026
May 9, 2026 · Shilshole Bay Marina Community Room
View all events →festival
Anacortes Waterfront Festival 2026
May 16, 2026 – May 17, 2026 · Cap Sante Boat Haven
Event details →race
Swiftsure International Yacht Race
May 23, 2026 – May 24, 2026 · Royal Victoria Yacht Club
Event details →Useful Guides for Visiting Sailors
Education hub →Seamanship · 13 min read
Docking and Mooring in Tidal Waters
Master docking techniques and mooring strategies for Pacific Northwest's challenging tidal environments.
Navigation · 20 min read
Tides and Currents in the Pacific Northwest
Seymour Narrows runs at sixteen knots. Cattle Pass produces standing waves. Active Pass schedules itself around BC Ferries. PNW navigation is governed by tides and currents — this is how to read them.
Seamanship · 14 min read
Anchoring in Pacific Northwest Waters
Twelve-foot tides, four-knot current in the passes, kelp on every shoreline, and a wind that can shift through three quadrants while you sleep. PNW anchoring is its own discipline.