“F” is for Flexibility!

Because of the special capabilities of our boat and crew, we are able to offer some of the most customized cruising itineraries in the San Juan Islands so that you will get the most out of your private sailing charter vacation experience! It’s your boat for the week and we are here to accommodate your wishes, not fit your personality into a revolving door of rigid itineraries offered by other San Juan Island charter companies.

“When we were originally looking for a sailing charter in the San Juan Islands, all we could find was non-exclusive charters, sharing boats with strangers and stuck in a rigid itinerary that we had no control over. That’s why we are so happy to have found Steve and Megan with Manonash. They were able to tailor a truly custom experience, sometimes bowing to our last minute decisions – always avoiding the big crowds, just as we had hoped!” – Mike (Bend, OR)

There isn’t really a “typical” itinerary, other than departing Friday Harbor on a Sunday afternoon before returning the following Friday. (Yet, even these details can be pretty flexible.) Below are some of the activities and options we help our guests explore to make the most of their private charter in the San Juan Islands.

Also, be sure to check out our photo tour: “A Week In The San Juan Islands”

Custom Itinerary Options

• Photography Tours – What better place in the world to brush up on your photography skills than in the San Juan Islands? (Steve has worked as a professional photographer off-and-on for many years and can help you scout amazing locations as well as coach you on getting the most out of your gear.)
• Sailing Lessons – Some guests have no interest in the “how” whatsoever, while others (Steve has been a certified sailing instructor since 1990, helping students accomplish their goals from windsurfers and dinghies to keelboats and catamarans.)
• Whale Watching Tours – If your main priority is to see orcas an humpbacks in the wild, we will focus our anchorages to be nearby areas where the resident pods are most frequently spotted. (From the comfort of your floating home, rather than cramming yourself into a cold, wet open-bow boat with 50 other strangers on benches…)
• Salmon Fishing & Crabbing – Have you always wanted to reel in a mighty Chinook salmon and eat it moments later from the grill? How about catching fresh Dungeness crab and eating with farm fresh butter and lemon? (If you are interested in fishing, be sure you pick up a fishing license before you arrive, or they are also available in Friday Harbor.)
• Kayak Excursions – What better way to sneak into lagoons and tidepools or cross shallow bays with otters and seals than in a kayak? (2 kayaks included on board, free of charge)
• Historical Sites – The San Juan Islands are full of a rich and diverse history – including everything from native tribes, early explorers, and military installations. Many of the sites are only accessible by small boat or trail. We’ll get you where you want to go! (In addition, Manonash is fitted with a vast ship’s library filled with books on the area.)
• Bicycle Tours – Sometimes it’s nice to get off the boat for a few hours and stretch your legs, biking through farmlands from village to village. (2 bikes included on board, free of charge)

“We were so spoiled! One day we felt like going for a long hike, so they took us to a secluded beach and pointed us up a trail (with an amazing picnic lunch packed in a backpack) to one of the most amazing views I’ve ever experienced. The next day, we wanted to spend kayaking and crabbing. The next day, the wind picked up and I became obsessed with learning how to sail. The next, lessons in photographing sunrise and sunsets! So thankful!” – Brynne (Los Angeles, CA)

Don’t forget to check out our photo tour:
“A Week In The San Juan Islands”