Andrews Bay

Andrews Bay is the most popular anchorage in Lake Washington. Bordered on the east by Seattle’s Seward Park on the Bailey Peninsula, the bay offers spectacular views of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. On the west side of the bay are fine homes set back from Lake Washington Boulevard. The bay is well-protected from southerlies, though totally exposed to the north.

Moorings and Anchorage
The bay’s anchorage area is defined by two buoys marked with “A,” indicating the northwest and southwest corners of the anchorage zone. Shore markers note the northeast and southeast corners. Anchorage is limited to this area only, and boaters can stay up to 72 hours in a seven-day period. Boats are not permitted within 100 yards of the Rev. Murphy fishing pier (northeast corner of the anchorage area) or 100 yards from the Seward Park swimming beach.

Lakewood Moorage, at the entrance to the bay, offers some guest moorage (call 206.722.3887 for reservations).

Getting Ashore
Beaching skiffs (non-motorized or 10 hp or less) is permitted on the Seward Park side only in the area 100 yards north of the brick art studio. Stay clear of the swimming areas and fishing dock. There is no horsepower restriction at the hand-carry boat launch west of the anchorage at Ferdinand Street. In both cases there is no convenient way to secure your dinghy.

For the Boat and Crew
The Lakewood Moorage store sells a few marine supplies and groceries, and a PCC Natural Markets is less than half a mile south, on Wilson Avenue S.

From early morning on, and in any season, Seward Park is a popular area for walking and jogging. The park boasts 300 acres of beautiful forested land with old-growth forest, miles of hiking trails, a 2.4-mile bike and walking path, an amphitheater and a native plant garden.

On the east shore of the bay is a small fishing dock; at the head is a large swimming beach. The large brick building, a former bathhouse, is now a parks department art studio offering classes for adults and kids. On the isthmus beyond the swimming beach is a playground and tennis courts; on a clear day, the view of Mt. Rainier is astonishing.

Sailor, writer and teacher Migael Scherer, who divides her time between Seattle and Lopez Island, is the author of “A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands,” published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. The guide can be purchased online through Armchair Sailor Books & Charts, Captain’s Nautical Supplies, Amazon and other retailers.