Rosario Resort’s new docks open
The view south down East Sound from Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island’s Cascade Bay. (Photo by Jim Nieland)
The aging existing docks were replaced by a new U-shaped configuration of aluminum floats, with 30 slips and additional space for side ties.
It appears the new dock layout will make it easier for larger vessels to enter and exit the popular marina.
We’ve have updated our chartlet for Cascade Bay (below) to reflect the new dock layout.
Chartlet from Salish Sea Pilot’s Cruising Guide to the San Juan Islands showing the new dock configuration. Not to be used for navigation.
The mansion and grounds at Rosario Resort and Spa was once the retirement home of Seattle shipping magnate Robert Moran.
Today, the sprawling facility boasts manicured lawns, a spa, swimming pools, the Moran Museum, restaurants and suites on the waterfront or perched high above the resort.
Beautiful setting along a trail leading to the summit of Mount Constitution in Moran State Park on Orcas Island. (Photo by David Wolf)
Moran’s estate also included a large chunk of Orcas Island, including Cascade Lake, Mountain Lake and Mount Constitution. In 1921, he donated 3,000 acres of wilderness land to Washington state for the establishment of Moran State Park.
To us and many others, a major attraction of the marina at Rosario Resort is its backdoor access to the many miles of hiking trails within the park.
Map of Moran State Park from Salish Sea Pilot’s Cruising Guide to the San Juan Islands.
It would be easy to spend a week or longer moored at Cascade Bay, venturing off on day treks into the park or toting along a tent and sleeping bag to overnight at one of the many campsites within the park.
(Cascade Bay and Moran State Park are covered in Salish Sea Pilot’s Cruising Guide to the San Juan Islands.)
