Cruising Hood Canal affords terrific views of the Olympic Mountains, and yet it remains largely undiscovered. Despite its fairly straight 65-mile length with few protected anchorages, most boaters in Hood Canal don’t realize that shrimping, oyster gathering, clamming, and fishing can be outstanding. Beyond catching seafood, historic Port Gamble charms with its intriguing museum, restaurants, and small shops on the tree-lined main street of this company town. Pleasant Harbor is as it sounds—a restful destination (except during shrimping season) with a well-appointed resort marina. Several state parks worth a visit are scattered up and down the canal. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll see a nuclear submarine surface off the starboard bow.
Top Destinations
Hood Canal
Port Gamble • Dabob Bay • Pleasant Harbor • Alderbrook
Plan Out Your Trip
Hood Canal is fully covered in the latest Waggoner Cruising Guide. It provides all you need about marinas, anchorages, passages, and attractions. Plan your day’s route with the guide’s detailed planning maps. Get your copy of the Waggoner Cruising Guide book!
Plus, there’s more to help you plan a great cruise through Hood Canal. Read on…
What You Didn’t Know and Need to Know – The Hood Canal Bridge
The Hood Canal Bridge provides a critical connection for travelers to the Olympic Peninsula and an interesting passage for boaters planning to explore marine destinations in Hood Canal. Bridge repairs are scheduled for this summer, which will affect vehicle traffic...
Discover Hood Canal
Most boaters in the Puget Sound area head north to the San Juan Islands when they want to get away for a one- or two-week vacation on the water. Many others spend their time in the Central and South Sounds. A few choose to go to Hood Canal. Cathleen and I live in...
Shell Shocked in Port Gamble
Tom Rice’s great grandparents moved to Port Gamble in 1858, long before Washington became a state in 1889. They were one of the many families to move to the company town from East Machias, Maine to work for Puget Mill Company’s sawmill in Port Gamble. When the mill...
Less Traveled Anchorages Lend New Discoveries
If you’re looking for less traveled anchorages and some interesting cruising, consider a trip to “Hood Head,” an area around the Hood Canal Bridge where you will find several anchorages of interest. Let’s start with Bywater Bay, located north...
