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  Lonely
Island
Patos Island Washing is the northern most island of the San Juan Islands
and one of the least visited, but it is also one of the most intriguing.
Patos is best known for its historic lighthouse originally built in
1890 although the main structure was completed in 1905.
This lighthouse station was made famous by author Helene Glidden whose
book "The Light On The Island", chronicles her
experiences on Patos when she lived there for 8 years from
1905-1913, when her father was the lighthouse
keeper. This 38-foot tower of the
Patos Lighthouse is a beacon to shipping traffic passing through the
region to Vancouver B.C. and you can see large container ships
and fishing vessels passing by the island at all hours, day and
night, and in all weather.
The small cove on the south side of the island offers protection
to visiting boats that are fortunate enough to grab one of only 2
mooring buoys. Anchoring is not recommended due to
the strong cur rents
that swirl through the cove from the small opening in the side of
the cove between Patos and Little Patos
island. This passage can resemble a rushing
river and make rowing to shore impossible--- These currents have to
be seen to be believed. While it may seem
interesting and entertaining while the tide is coming in, it can be
dangerous when the tide is going out because you can get swept into
the rocks or out to sea or by the swift
currents. The island can experiences over a
14 foot tide and waves from westerly winds and passing ships can add
to the drama.
The waters off the western shore have a reputation
for being particularly dangerous during winter storms but even on a
perfect summer day with a gentle breeze the waters swirl and churn
in eerie patterns and whirl pools, giving you the impression there
is a shoal even though the waters are hundreds of feet
deep. Why are there such strong
currents? Puget Sound is a vast inland sea,
and with tides of over 14 feet, all this water has to go
somewhere. It passes through the San
Juans to the south and through the passage to the north between
Vancouver Island and the mainland.
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