Ewing Cove Anchorage

When Entering Ewing Cove On Sucia Island's east side, make certain you consult your charts and pay attention to the rocks and currents.  I chose to enter from the largest inlet near the artificial reef but I noticed other people (probably with no charts) going here and there with reckless abandon. This might be okay at high tide and if you're inherently lucky, but during low tide you will see banks of rocks where you would least expect them to be. With proper charts there is nothing to worry about because you can easily steer clear of them when you know where they are.

Ewing Cove Beach

When you tie up at a mooring buoy in Ewing Cove the park service asks that you go ashore and register within 30 minutes.  There aren't likely any park rangers hiding in the bushes with a stopwatch but  I its not a bad idea to register upon arrival and if you're like most people you will want to stretch your legs and maybe do a little exploring onshore. The approach to the beach has some eel grass at low tide but it isn't much of a problem, and the beach is covered mostly with smooth, small pebbles so beaching an inflatable dingy is a breeze. What I would do is just give the outboard a little extra speed before shutting it off, beach the dinghy and step right out.

The fee for using a mooring buoy is $ 10.00 per night (2011), with a 3-night maximum stay per visit. You can anchor for free but it is not advisable doing so in Ewing Cove due to its rocky bottom and strong currents.

If you have a larger size boat or yacht you might want to choose a buoy furthest from the beach to give you more room. A 30 foot boat will do fine on the first buoy closest to the beach but it will swing surprisingly close to the rocks.

 Ewing Cove has a lot going for it and it's one of the more interesting anchorages on Sucia Island but it isn't for everyone. What makes Ewing Cove interesting is its multiple openings to Echo Bay, it's large opening to the west facing Matia Island, and the smaller opening on the north side to a broad expanse of Puget Sound.  Depending on the wind direction and the weather the wave action at night might be beyond your comfort level. Its best to be tied to a buoy but if they are all taken you can simply anchor in Echo Bay instead and then either hike the nature trail or dingy over to visit Ewing cove.   

Swirling Currents

Approaching the beach by dingy you pass the small opening into the Sound looking north where you can see the towers of Vancouver on a clear day. This opening can be a bit tricky if you are trying to row a dinghy to shore due to the strong currents flowing either in or out of the opening depending on the tide. Sucia is like a stepping stone in the middle of an ever flowing stream. This can be an amusing feature because the water swirls and churns as it passes around the island and over the uneven rocky formations below the surface. You may see an occasional whirlpool or hear an unexpected splash here and there as the currents meet random waves although sometimes its a fish jumping or a curious seal surfacing. If you have small children who usually like to tool around in your dinghy you might not want to let them do so in Ewing cove, or if you do let them you will want to keep a close eye on them.   

Camping Restrictions

Campsites at Ewing cove are restricted to 4 people and immediate family only. NO GROUP CAMPING IS ALLOWED. If you have all the comforts of home aboard your boat you might wonder why anyone would want to camp. The reason no group camping is allowed in this area is the proximity to several Eagle nests and they don't want rowdy campers to disturb them. The campsite onshore seem to get some fairly good use. Many people arrive at the island by Kayak from Orcas Island or come to Sucia on a smaller boat to camp on weekends. 

Protect Your Pets From Hungry Raptors

During a recent visit to Sucia Island there were at least 4 Bald Eagles nesting around Ewing cove squawking, soaring, swooping down for fish, and going about their business. Eagles are known for their sensitivity around humans and choosing to live far from humans but the eagles on Sucia Island don't seem at all bothered by the boats and people visiting the island. Their main irritation seems to be black birds hassling their nests and chasing them as they fly. If you aren't used to seeing bald eagles you might be surprised by just how big they are, and what a giant wingspan they have. American Bald Eagles can weigh up to 13 pounds which is heavy for a flying bird and they have a wing span of up to 8 feet. Bald Eagles live about 20 years and eat mainly fish but they also eat rabbits, raccoons, beavers, ducks, gulls, and geese. Eagles fly and soar at about 35-40 mph but when diving for prey they can reach speeds up to 99 mph!

If you brought along any small pets you don't want to leave them unattended on deck because an eagle could easily swoop them up and carry them off to their treetop for dinner. The same thing goes for newborn babies and toddlers, something native Americans know very well.

Hiking Trails

Once ashore you can hike the trails that link up all the major coves and anchorages on Sucia Island or you can stake out a picnic table and enjoy the surroundings. You might want to bring along some bug spray if you plan to do any hiking or stay ashore any extended period of time.  Sucia Island is a lush and natural paradise with dense foliage so it has its share of mosquitoes (in marshy areas of the island), flying insects and things that just sit there and buzz,  although most people aren't bothered while hanging out on their boats. 

 "These small outcroppings of rocks or minute islands are the nesting grounds for numerous birds, including some fiesty Canadian geese that put on quite a show as you pass through and seem to be saying.  "There's no way you're going to land here.. Don't even think about it!"

Seals, Seals, And More Seals

If you enjoy seal watching you can venture out of the cove to the north where there's a reef that appears at low tide. Twice a day this rocky outcropping is literally covered with seals barking, socializing, and just hanging out. The Lummi Indians used to come here to kill seals but nowadays, visitors to Sucia Island gravitate to the reef for some serious seal watching. As the tide comes in and covers the reef, the seals disburse throughout the area islands, with many coming into Ewing cove to fish and people watch. It goes without saying that these are wild animals so you don't want to corner them, disturb them or do something really stupid like try to pet one.

IMPORTANT: It cannot be stressed enough. Always consult your charts before attempting to navigate anywhere near Sucia Island or anywhere in Puget Sound for that matter. There is no rhyme or reason to why or where reefs, rocks or shallow waters are located. In the middle of 500 ft deep water you can suddenly come upon some rocks that are visible only at low tide. Captain Vancouver discovered many of the hidden rocks and reefs when he and his crew ran aground several times on Sucia, thereby giving it its name. Dirty/Foul   Island.

Pros: Beautiful scenery, lots of seals, bald eagles and geese.  Only 4 buoys so it doesn't feel busy. Cons: Tidal current swirling through the cove makes rowing a dingy slightly challenging for inexperienced rowers. Overnight wave action can get bouncy.                        TERMS OF USE