Sail to Spieden and Flattop

July 23, 2020 – With strong southerlies to the south we planned to head north today. With a reefed main sail we headed up San Juan Channel and on to the Wasp Islands. Harbor seals were resting on the rocks – many with young pups. Sailing along the east side of Jones Island and north in Spring Pass we crossed the channel to one of our favorite National Wildlife Refuges known as Flattop Island. As we sailed quickly by we could see many harbor seals hauled out along the southern shoreline.

Wing on wing we sailed along the northern coastline of Spieden Island all the way to the end and wrapped around to get a look along the southern side. A few Mouflon sheep were marching along stopping to graze and several harbor seals laid along the shore. Took a few minutes to scan Haro Strait for blows before doubling back to into New Channel. With winds building we ducked in close to shore to change to the second reef. As we were doing so a bald eagle landed on a fallen tree with a fish and began to eat his meal. We cut in between the Cactus Islands admiring the beautiful kelp forests before sailing across some chunky, salty seas to the north side of Flattop Island.

Taking a break from the winds in the lee of the island we enjoyed the stunning northern coastline of Flattop Island and the pigeon guillemots coming and going to the island. From there we made our way back down to Jones Island and tucked behind the Wasp Islands for a scenic ride home noticing harbor seals on the beach on Reef Island – a first seeing them there for us.