Squalicum Yacht Club is a welcoming community of about 70 members who share a love of cruising in the Salish Sea. We're sailors and powerboaters, newbies and old salts, with boats of all sizes and styles — and a few members who are between boats but still love being part of the community.
What unites us is a casual atmosphere where friendships matter more than fancy boats or formality. Our gatherings feel more like old-friend reunions than club meetings, and we warmly welcome newcomers.
Who We Are
Getting Together
One of the best parts of SYC membership is the friendship. We gather monthly throughout the year at our historic waterfront clubhouse — potluck dinners during the off-season and BBQs in the summer. These gatherings give us time to share boating stories, swap knowledge, catch up with old friends, and welcome new faces.
We also enjoy special events like our Summer Solstice Party, game nights, our annual Change of Watch ceremony, and holiday celebrations. Even our work parties on the clubhouse turn into social occasions — there's always good company and good food.
On the Water
All summer, we cruise to beautiful destinations throughout the San Juan Islands and beyond — typically 7-10 trips each season. Over the years we've explored over 40 anchorages and marinas, returning to our favorites and discovering new ones. Some destinations are accessible by car, so even if your boat isn't ready or you're between boats, you can still join the fun.
Beyond our scheduled club cruises, members often organize their own impromptu trips — sometimes just for a day, sometimes for a long weekend. Some are open to all, others are smaller gatherings. Either way, you'll find willing crew and willing company.
The bottom line: Squalicum Yacht Club is all about cruising together and turning strangers into friends.
Historic Clubhouse
Our waterfront clubhouse is one of SYC's greatest assets and sources of pride. Originally built in the 1940s as military barracks and relocated to Squalicum Harbor, it has been lovingly maintained and improved by generations of members.
The building serves as our gathering place for monthly meetings and events, and we also make it available for rentals to support other local organizations.
Through volunteer work parties—which always include good company and good food—members contribute their skills to maintain this historic treasure for future generations.
If you are interested in renting our clubhouse for your event, check out our rental site:
Learning and Exploring
Throughout the year, we welcome guest speakers at our monthly meetings who share knowledge and topics of interest to our members.
These presentations cover a wide range of subjects — usually with a marine focus — from navigation and boat systems to local history, marine wildlife, and tales from extended cruising adventures.
It's a chance to learn something new and discover resources in our cruising community.
Giving Back
We believe in giving back to the waters and communities we enjoy.
Each May, we kick off the cruising season with our annual pancake breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse, with all proceeds benefiting local charities.
In September, we close the season with a volunteer work party at Sucia Island State Park, helping maintain the trails, facilities, and moorage that make this jewel of the San Juans accessible to all boaters.
It's our way of saying thank you to the places and people that make our region so special.
Like to Join Us?
If this sounds like your kind of community, we'd love to meet you. Learn more about membership, what to expect, and how to take your first step toward joining our crew.