40POINT ROBERTS, WASHINGTON
Point Roberts projects below the 49th parallel, and thus this small penin-
sula is U.S. territory. A very attractive marina is built on the southern side
of the peninsula, and it is strategically placed for access from the well
populated lower mainland (Vancouver and environs) to the Gulf and San Juan
Islands. This makes it one of the more popu1ar marinas in this area.
The design of the marina is striking. It is arranged to allow the tidal
flow to flush out the yacht basin, while affording the vessels in it the
maximum protection. There is berthing capacity for over 1,000 boats from 20 to
70 feet in length.
Enter the basin from westward, passing between the shoreline and the
breakwater. Do not enter from eastward, as it is shoal. The entrance curves
towards the west of north. Fuel floats are on the starboard si de when enter-
ing. These float5 are a150 used for awaiting Customs. CalI 332-6318 on
weekdays (8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or after hours and on Sundays and holidays
calI 800-562-5943 for clearance. Usually clearance is given on the phone.
Take a pen along to make a note of the clearance number in case any reference
is later needed. Remember that only the skipper can go ashore to report, and
no one else should leave the vessel until clearance is granted.
There are good facilities at the marina and include a travel lift haul-out,
marine supplies, and nearby stores. Restaurants and other services are nearby.
Across the border 1s Tsawwassen, a part of Delta, where many more facilities
are available. From Point Roberts it is only Il miles across the Strait of
Georgia to Active Passo However, since Point Roberts is U.S. territory one
must enter Canada if one plans to sail across to the Gulf Islands or to proceed
northward. Point Roberts is well suited to a route travelling direct1y north-
ward to Vancouver, where one can enter and clear customs or if one is returning
to the south. However, if one ""ants to visit the Gulf Islands on the northerly
trip one can take advantage of the prevailing winds (NW or SE) to reach down to
Boundary Pass around the south end of Saturna Island, turning up and entering
at Bedwell Harbor on Pender Island. One can then leisurely cruise up the inner
Gulf Island5 as one travels northward. Bedwell Harbour customs station is
maintained in summer from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Entry
can also be made at White Rock (see Blaine) but this means back-tracking a
considerable distance.
If one enters Canadian waters (at White Rock or anywhere else), and on
travelling along the coast, wishes to stop near Tsawwassen but not enter Point
Roberts, there is a 5mall area just south of the long B.C. Ferry TerminaI mole
that can be used as an anchorage. Boats of the Tsawwassen Yacht Club moor here
in summer though it is open to winter storms. Enter close by the southernmost
ferry docking structure, where a deep channel runs along the south side of the
mole. After about haIf a mile it widens into an anchoring basino A shallow
bank with about 1 to 1 1/2 fathoms borders this route to the anchorag~.
Painted oil drum buoys are sometimes used to mark the passage.