Haro Strait

*** Warnings ***

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Additional warnings should always be verified from local boating and recreation publications.

- Details -
SJ Island Hop vessels are restricted from being within 200 yards of the coastline south of Mitchell Bay.at all times, except when transiting to/from an enclosed bay for anchorage, such as Smallpox Bay, as this is a marine sanctuary area.. Access to the park is best achieved by local transportation.

Watching calves younger than one year old is prohibited. If vulnerable whales, such as thin, sick or injured animals, are discovered in the population, they too could be set off limits.

SJ Island Hop vessels, under existing rules, must stay at least 300 yards from whales and at least 400 yards out of their path or behind the whales. You must also cut your speed to 7 knots within a half-mile of a whale and turn off your depth sounder immediately upon siting a whale. Use of drones is prohibited.

Listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2005, there are only 74 southern resident orcas left. Primary risks identified so far to their survival include noise and disturbance from vessels; a lack of adequate, quality chinook salmon; and pollutants.