John Neal of Mahina Expeditions interviews representatives from Port of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor Resort about their recent openings

The rumors are true, the San Juan Islands are open! According to the San Juan County Visitors Bureau:

“We encourage you to make summer reservations now, our businesses would love to hear from you. We are now welcoming visitors back to the Islands under Phase 2 guidelines!”

That, of course, includes favorite destinations for overnight moorage like Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor.

The typically globe-trotting pair behind Mahina Expeditions—regular 48° North columnist, Amanda Swan Neal, and her partner, John Neal—are getting some unexpected “home time” on San Juan Island in 2020. They have been keeping us updated on what life is like in the islands. Now, they are excited to share some information with 48° North readers as the two largest marinas on San Juan Island welcome cruising guests once again!

While visiting the San Juans, 48° North encourages boaters to exercise respect, caution, and responsibility to island communities and other mariners, in accordance with local and state-wide COVID-19 health guidelines. That said, most of the questions in the interviews below are about the cautions and protocols these marinas are taking because of the pandemic.

Please enjoy John’s interviews with:

Chris Springer, Assistant Harbormaster at Port of Friday Harbor

And with Brent Snow, General Manager of Roche Harbor Resort.