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Wharf Map Panel
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Dunlin in flight
Debbie Harger photo
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Blaine Harbor in spring
Debbie Harger photo
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Downtown Blaine Plaza
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Marine Park playground
Debbie Harger photo
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Sailboat & Peace Arch
David Riffle photo
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Drayton Harbor
David Riffle photo
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Semiahmoo Marina
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Semiahmoo Harbor
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Semiahmoo Spit
Debbie Harger photo
By Deborah Harger
A Circle of Northwest Life from Blaine Harbor to Semiahmoo Spit
Located in the most northwest corner of Washington State, the Northwest Necklace is a name coined for the approximately 13 km (8 mi) loop which encircles the shoreline of Drayton Harbor stretching from the Blaine marina (called Blaine Harbor) around to the end of Semiahmoo Spit. And like gems adorning a necklace, there are a multitude of places to stop along the way to explore this rich diversity of northwest life.
Play golf at two award winning golf courses or stroll waterfront and wooded trails. Picnic while shorebirds feed on the tidal flats. Watch magnificent eagles circling the sky. Dig for clams, beach comb, fish or crab from the public pier, savour fresh seafood, and discover a rich maritime history. Wander through Peace Arch Park’s magnificent gardens and straddle the boundary between the U.S. and Canada under the 20 m (67 ft) tall world famous Peace Arch. Enjoy several parks and scenic viewpoints along the necklace. And at the end of the day, treat yourself to a luxurious spa and massage before having a relaxing dinner; all of this a part of the Northwest Necklace.
Boaters can find a safe haven at either of two full service marinas. Entering Drayton Harbor through a narrow channel, which separates the two marinas, on the starboard side, is Semiahmoo Marina, a private marina and on the port side is Blaine Harbor, a public marina.
Semiahmoo Marina is a privately owned full service marina located at the scenic SW tip of Semiahmoo Spit, adjacent to Semiahmoo Resort. This pristine marina features first class amenities, including a marina store with a café, a gift shop featuring local art, and a chandlery. Visitor moorage is available by reservation as well as lease slips for a longer term. For more information visit: www.semiahmoomarina.com or call: (360) 371-0440.
Blaine Harbor is one of the most modern and cleanest marinas in the northwest, boasting a five-star EnviroStar rating. This protected and peaceful full service marina has 630 slips with 245 m (800 ft) of their docks reserved for visitor moorage. Blaine Harbor also has a public boat launch and a public fishing pier as well as is a leisurely walk to the coastal town of Blaine. For more information visit: www.portofbellingham.com or call: (360) 647-6176.
Whether you are staying on Semiahmoo Spit or at Blaine Harbor, you can experience most of the necklace on foot. However, there are other transportation options available. You can rent a bike, a kayak or scooter available in the summer at the Semiahmoo dock for further exploring, or ask marina staff about local taxi service. During the summer months (Friday- Sunday) hop aboard the Historic Plover Passenger ferry for a scenic ride between Semiahmoo Spit and Blaine Harbor.
Begin exploring the Northwest Necklace right across the street from the Blaine marina. In Marine Park, stroll the waterfront trail, stand among sculptures of life size Orca whales. Kids can play at Telescope Beach, or climb aboard a maritime playground. Whether you are a passionate birder or a beginner, the park, located on the Pacific Flyway is rich with an abundance of migratory waterfowl here to rest and feed that can be observed from several sheltered viewing sites. A favourite sighting is watching large flocks of Dunlin audibly murmuring as they dance along the water’s surface.
Continue your stroll from Marine Park up to the town of Blaine. (Or Harbor staff can also provide transportation to nearby shopping and services.) Warm up in a cozy café sipping hot coffee and eating dinner plate size pancakes. Or choose from a variety of local restaurants tasty options. If you are yearning for a marine experience to delight your senses, feast on fresh oysters harvested locally by Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farms served raw on the half shell, grilled, or sold fresh by the dozen at their downtown location.
FROM SEMIAHMOO SPIT: Enjoy the breathtaking beauty and recreation opportunities on the spit. There are kilometres of walking and biking trails, beaches to explore, and an abundance of birds and wildlife to observe. In the summer, visit The APA Cannery Museum which tells the story of the world’s largest salmon cannery which was booming at this site for decades.
Boaters staying at the marina can purchase a day pass to use the full service day spa, and health club facilities at Semiahmoo Resort, including the use of the pool and tennis court. Arrangements can also be made for transportation to play golf at either of the resort’s two championship golf courses. The resort often features events and entertainment in addition to two waterfront restaurants showcasing daily fresh local cuisine.
Make the Northwest Necklace your destination, or relax and unwind for the next part of your journey on the Salish Sea. For more Information contact Blaine Visitor Information Center at (360) 332-4544 or at www.blainechamber.com.