Emerald Isle Sailing Charters

Emerald Isle Sailing Charters www.emeraldislesailing.com Relaxed. Rejuvenated. Awed by nature.

Our unique eco sailing charters will leave you transformed...

Discover the hidden side of the Pacific Northwest coast as your naturalist-trained captain guides your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and natural splendor. Enjoy feasting on gourmet northwest cuisine and relaxing aboard our warm and comfortable 54' sailing yacht. Luxuriate in an effortless letting go of stress and w

orry as our attentive service, in an enchanting environment join to bring you a deep relaxation of the soul.

We anchored in Blind Bay, on Shaw Island this evening.
10/12/2024

We anchored in Blind Bay, on Shaw Island this evening.

Quiet morning in Fossil Bay. Sailing in the San Juan’s this time of year is a huge contrast to summer sailing here - alm...
10/10/2024

Quiet morning in Fossil Bay. Sailing in the San Juan’s this time of year is a huge contrast to summer sailing here - almost no other boaters despite really good sailing and warm weather.

Took a little walk out to the Turn Point lighthouse today on Stuart Island.
10/09/2024

Took a little walk out to the Turn Point lighthouse today on Stuart Island.

Obstruction Pass State Park.
10/09/2024

Obstruction Pass State Park.

Our guests from San Diego went to shore and hiked with me along the cliffs in the southern side of Shallow Bay.
10/08/2024

Our guests from San Diego went to shore and hiked with me along the cliffs in the southern side of Shallow Bay.

We anchored Nawalak in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island, just in time for sunset.
10/08/2024

We anchored Nawalak in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island, just in time for sunset.

Mouflon Sheep, a wild species native to the Caspian region of Europe were introduced to Spieden Island during a short ti...
10/07/2024

Mouflon Sheep, a wild species native to the Caspian region of Europe were introduced to Spieden Island during a short time period when that island was a private hunting preserve. They are thought to be the ancestor of all modern domestic sheep breeds. Several decades have past, now it is a private island but these and other exotic species are still there. We try to sail by the south side of this island often.

Sailing by the Patos Island lighthouse just now. Mt Baker in the background.
10/07/2024

Sailing by the Patos Island lighthouse just now. Mt Baker in the background.

New hat day. Thanks
10/07/2024

New hat day. Thanks

Taking the big boat out solo today
10/06/2024

Taking the big boat out solo today

Day and night on our tour this week.
10/01/2024

Day and night on our tour this week.

Great weather on our penultimate sailing tour of the season!
09/29/2024

Great weather on our penultimate sailing tour of the season!

Aggressive little bu**er.
09/15/2024

Aggressive little bu**er.

Little bit of wildfire haze out over the San Juan Islands on our latest tour this past week.
09/09/2024

Little bit of wildfire haze out over the San Juan Islands on our latest tour this past week.

Beats On The Bay. Bellingham.
08/29/2024

Beats On The Bay. Bellingham.

Steller Sea Lions. Sucia Island
08/26/2024

Steller Sea Lions. Sucia Island

Headed out again for a five day sail with a bunch of kayakers!
08/22/2024

Headed out again for a five day sail with a bunch of kayakers!

Address

5164 Deer Harbor Road
Eastsound, WA
98243

Telephone

+13606225878

Website

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Videos

Great 3-day tour with a couple who came all the way from Maui to sail the San Juan Islands with us!

We’re all passengers

It’s not the Caribbean but it’s been so warm in the PNW our more adventurous guests go swimming. Anna and Scott are professional cyclists from Boulder, CO and are loving relaxing in the Salish Sea aboard Nawalak.

We have a great family from California and Colorado this week. Lots of hiking and swimming.

We see a lot of these little auks called Pigeon Guillemots on our trips. They are super fun to watch frolic, dive and swim in the quiet, glassy water anchorages we spend the night in. One of my goals for this season is to get some good video and still shots of them. It's a work in progress, as they are fast and somewhat nervous. More info on these birds from Cornell University: The Pigeon Guillemot is an attractive auk that nests on rocky coastlines of the North Pacific. Its velvety, dark brown plumage is set off by a bright white patch in the upperwing and vivid scarlet feet. In winter, the black underparts are replaced with dingy white feathering. Unlike many other species of alcids (auks, murrelets, and puffins), which feed far out to sea, Pigeon Guillemots stay fairly close to shore where they forage along the seafloor for small fish, worms, and crustaceans. www.emeraldislesailing.com

Sea Lions and Smelt Smelt, specifically the Pacific smelt or Eulachon, have been migrating from the ocean into the Columbia, Cowlitz, and Coweeman rivers in Washington state for thousands of years. These annual runs typically occur in late winter or early spring when adult smelt return to freshwater rivers to spawn. Historically, these runs were so abundant that they played a significant role in the diet and culture of indigenous peoples in the region. Native American tribes harvested smelt in large quantities, utilizing them for food, trade, and ceremonial purposes. The smelt runs were so significant that they were often referred to as "salvation fish" due to their timely arrival during periods of food scarcity in late winter. Sea lions, which are natural predators of smelt, have been observed in increasing numbers in the Columbia River and its tributaries during smelt runs. These marine mammals are highly efficient predators, capable of consuming large quantities of smelt. Their presence has raised questions about the impact they have on the already vulnerable smelt populations. While sea lions play a natural role in the ecosystem, their impact on smelt runs must be understood in the context of broader ecological and human-induced pressures. Some researchers and wildlife managers argue that the predation pressure from sea lions, while significant, is only one of many factors affecting smelt populations. Efforts to manage sea lion populations, including non-lethal hazing and, in some cases, lethal removal, have been implemented to protect smelt runs. However, these measures are controversial and highlight the complex challenges of balancing predator-prey dynamics with conservation goals. I'll be tracking this herd for a couple weeks as this year's run builds up.

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