The Sandy Point Marina has served many boaters as a quick gateway to the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. Unfortunately, it has gotten more dangerous as the years have gone on.
To quickly sum it up; If you want to lose your lower unit, come in on step at a low tide.
The winters have not been kind to our beloved entrance, washing all sorts of sand, rock and gravel into the mouth. Many years ago we had an option to dredge it along with the Army Corp of Eng., but that was passed on and we must now deal with the wrath of mother nature and take extra caution in passing through this area on any tide less than 5.0.
I have a perfect vantage point to watch the many unfortunate boaters try to risk a low tide, only to have their keel, motor, or boat’s hull hit the submerged bar of rocks. It is not getting any better. You need to know exactly where the water is deepest and just how much water your boat takes up in order to pass at a low tide. There are a handful of boaters that know the small channel that gives you 1 extra foot of water going through the opening, but that is a rare handful. Ultimately, you need to SLOW DOWN! Boats are going through the marina with a wake, which only washes up onto the beach and brings the rocks down into the water.
What can you do?
- Don’t ‘risk’ it. If you don’t know the water like the back of your hand… hold off until a later tide.
- Go slow! It is VERY shallow. Let me say that again; VERY SHALLOW!! The tide pushes hard through there and the rocks are waiting for you.
- Know your boat and keep your prop out of harm’s way. If you spin your prop, the tide is going to have its way with you on the barnacles.
- If the idea of dredging ever comes up again, get behind it! Our Marina is a wonderful amenity and it would be nice to not make it a lake.
Here is an image of the opening, compliments of Google. I have shaded the dangerous areas in red, that I’m aware of. Don’t take my word for it, as this is only a quick guide to give you an idea. Use your own judgement and play it safe. If it is a minus tide, know that you can walk from one side to the other without getting your knees wet.
Thanks for reading and please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
-TL
Wonderful! I have been searching for days trying to find out some information about the marina water depths etc. This is the first I have found! As a practical matter would you say the marina can only be entered at high or near high tide? What would be the hours one could enter. I know varies by tide but would you figure 10-12 hours during 24 or nore? Thanks for any information you could give!
Hi Randy,
You are doing the right thing instead of risking your lower unit like so many others have. In response to when you can enter the canal, it is much easier on the incoming tide than the outgoing… and the same when trying to exit the canal. (outgoing tide for leaving)
The problem is that once the tide hits about 0.5, the water from the canal just runs over the rocks and gives the impression it is still OK to exit/enter. Depending on if you have an outboard or not, you may be safe once the tide hits about the 1.5 or higher tide. I’d say if you are at a 3.0 tide or higher, shouldn’t be a problem. Just make 100% certain you have clearance before risking it. I hope this helps and I’m more than happy to help you with any other questions.
Really appreciate your insights! Have looked at houses out there as well as some on Haxton Way on the other side of Lummi Bay. I know one gentleman who brings his 21 ft Trophy in behind his house at high tide and can do so for about 4 hours. Obviously on the mud at low I know trespass issues. Do you have any insight into beach launching there or fishing in the bay itself? Thanks!
Beach launching in the bay is pretty much non-existent. 1st; no available spots to launch. 2nd; It is pretty frowned upon unless you have property owner permission and the neighbors love you.
The mud at low really isn’t trespass. It is argued, but isn’t enforced much anymore b/c the land is held in trust for the tribe, but is not their property. It is a sticky issue that is currently being argued over.
This carries over to fishing, as it closes Sept 4th until October 15th because the DFW has given the water (wrongfully) to the tribe and calling harvesting activities as trespass. This is only Lummi Bay, even though no Indian can fish the bay b/c of seaweed and difficult waters for netting. They closed it to keep recreational fisherman from catching 60-100 of the 20,000 fish that hit the sea ponds hatchery.
I recently purchased out at Sandy Point to build next to my family, but this is the unfortunate greedy garbage I need to face to enjoy a wonderful area.
Looked at Sandy too for over a year and missed some good deals on houses with docks. If I buy will be the owner of the property so no issues there. Gentleman that comes up on the beach ocassionally is named Critchlow. Has a slip at sandy. You are right he says in 17 years he has been beaching the boat no one has said anything! Where did you purchase if you don’t mind me asking and did they close for 2012 also? Oh nice fish.
I purchased on the east side, Salt Spring, more towards the end of the point. Running into a ton of issues in getting my home built, including push back from the tribe, county, and even SPIC. Not fun, and very frustrating. Speaking of, the closure includes this year as well. You can see the specifics on my other post that discusses saving our water rights. Sad times around here.
Thanks for the information! New house (short sale) just went up on the East Side of Sucia. Looks nice but a bit up there in price. $530K I think but already built. FYI I too looked at a lot on the West Side of Salt Springs and builder vis realator gave me a $430 rough price. Dock already in and on the large basin in the canal. Could not get wife interested. Too “Boaty” for her I think. Looks like I am going to buy off Haxton on Lummi Bay (low bank) which was why my interest. Believe I can beach launch some thing small maybe up to 17-19 ft or so. Maybe enough to get me around the inner islands. Many small boats (12 ft or so) on the beach there. Worse case I guess I run over to Sandy or Gooseberry for a launch. Fyi sent an email to the State asking about the Lummi closure and whether even being on the water was trespass. No respons!!! If you don’t mind me asking what kind of boat do you have? Thaks for all you insights. Very helpful!
PS. What is the tribe pushback?
Email: Patrick.Pattillo@dfw.wa.gov Tell him that they are wrong for closing the area, as it is held in Trust and are discriminating against non-tribal. Feel free to toss the direct in place, too; director@dfw.wa.gov They are pushing their ways and it isn’t going to be pretty. I’m at the point of requesting the tribe be removed from the Sea Ponds Hatchery. Greed is not a pretty thing.
The tribe pushback is they are greedy and want non-tribal out of the waters. They want every salmon that hits our government funded hatchery, bottom line. For 30+ years we fished that area with no issue, then they started seeing others catching fish and didn’t like it. I just want to fish with my family for food and fun, not financial gain. Sad it is coming to this.