Blind Island
Blind Island is a tiny 3-acre marine camping park accessible only by boat near Blind Bay, Shaw Island. The year round mooring is tucked behind the island protecting boats from wakes from the ferries at nearby Shaw and Orcas Islands as well as traffic in the Harney Channel.
4 moorage buoys on the south side of Blind Island available year round
2 eastern buoys are in slightly deeper water than the western buoys
Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Pay station is location on the island
Latitude: 48º 35' 3.84" N (48.5844) Longitude: 122º 56' 18.98" W (-122.9386)
Mooring / Marina
Boating Info - Hazards & Ashore
Approach - there are many submerged rocks and shoals. Recommend passing east of Blind Island to enter Blind Bay. There is a large submerged rock about halfway between the island and the Shaw Island ferry. While it can be hard to see at high tide, locals have made a marker (a white diamond on a tripod pole). Passage west of Blind Island is used by a few boaters however this route is not recommended due to large amount of submerged rocks that are not marked.
Anchorage is good in the central core of the Blind Bay. Bottom is a mix of mud and seaweed. You will see many larger boats tucked into the bay for overnight anchor.
Getting Ashore:
Public landing at Blind Island
Small private marina just east of the ferry dock (need to ask permission at the store)
Small section of tideland shore in Blind bay is public, all other tidelands are private (including the beach)
The park is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail. There is no potable water on Blind Island; the wells, now dry or stagnant, do not have fresh water. Visitors must pack out what they pack in. The park offers two campsites at the top of the island, among the fruit trees now choked with grasses and brush. Each site has a 360-degree vista of Shaw and Orcas islands and the narrow channel between them.
Provisions / Dining / Shopping
Provisions:
There are no provisions on Blind Island (including no potable water). However provisions are available nearby at the Shaw Island General Store or across the Channel at the Orcas Village Store. The Shaw Island General store is one of the oldest businesses in the San Juan Islands - opening back in 1898! Walking into the store is like walking back in time. They have a decent selection of local fresh fruits and vegetables, some local dairy products, as well as standard staples you may want for your trip.
Shopping:
The Shaw Island Gatehouse - handcrafted seed packets and local finds (on your honor)
Baller Verified
OG Baller:
We have stayed 8/2023 & 8/2024- many harbor seals can be found on the rocks especially at low tide. Balls are somewhat protected from the chop due to the ferries that dock at nearby Orcus and Shaw Islands
Provisions are accessible at nearby Shaw island. Care needs to be taken as you need to pass the ferry dock to get to the smaller dock. Do NOT go under the ferry ramp. You can use the small dock for tying up a dingy if shopping at the Shaw Island General Store, however you need to let them know if you are using the dingy dock.
If you want to stretch your legs on Shaw island - there is not a lot of car traffic so you will see folks walking along the roads. We found a hidden gem along the road The Shaw Island Gatehouse - there were beautiful hand crafted seed packets available for sale on your honor. Visit their blog.
Tidbits / History
Recreational crabbing in Blind Bay can be excellent. For more information about harvesting crab, obtaining the proper license and catch reporting guidelines, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
This island was homesteaded in the late 1800s by a man named Jon Fox. He moved to the island and built a small house and storage sheds. An immigrant from Germany he made his living as a fisherman and tilled a small garden spot and planted trees, evidence of which still remains today. Fox's son, also named John Fox, died around 1960 after living alone on the island. The elder Fox is buried on the island. The Foxes dug several holes into the rock, evidently to be used as cisterns. There is a small spring, around which a concrete retainer was built that is still in place (though the water is unsafe to drink). The island became a state park in 1970 under lease from the BLM. All buildings were removed in 1972 due to their unsafe conditions.
Along the entrance to Blind bay, this sign warns of rocks that can be missed at higher tides. Pat attention to your tide charts and maps to beware of hidden rocks.
Boat on a buoy at Blind Island
Fields seen on a walk - looking back toward Blind Bay from Shaw Island
We stumbled across this adorable little seed shop while out on a walk on Shaw Island. The Gate House has little handcrafted seed packets that were just devine. You can purchase with cash on an honor system.