SeaPiper

For a rented motor-driven boat or vessel with 15 horsepower or more, Washington law allows unsupervised operation from age 12 if the operator carries the required Boater Education Card; a personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16. An operator age 12 or older without a required card must be accompanied and under the direct supervision of a person age 16 or older who possesses a card. The card requirement generally begins at 12 for operators born after January 1, 1955. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. These rules are in RCW 79A.60.640 and 79A.60.190. Rental operators may set higher minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (app.leg.wa.gov)

Yes, Washington requires many recreational operators to carry a Boater Education Card rather than a traditional boating license. Operators age 12 or older who were born after January 1, 1955, must carry it when operating a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft meeting that threshold. The minimum operator age is 12 for these motorboats and 14 for personal watercraft; personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16.

Rental customers may instead complete and carry the State Parks approved safety checklist. Common exemptions cover people born before January 1, 1955, qualifying short term visitors and recent boat purchasers. A course completion certificate serves as a temporary card for 60 days. Washington State Parks administers the program.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (parks.wa.gov)

From Anacortes, you can explore Fidalgo Bay, Guemes Channel, Rosario Strait or Padilla Bay, which connect around the city. Put in at Cap Sante Marina’s trailer boat launch for access through the protected basin and dredged Cap Sante Waterway, or use Washington Park’s recreational ramp at the west end of Fidalgo Island; the city notes only 1 foot of water there at zero tide.

Fidalgo Bay is shallow, while Padilla Bay is largely drying flats. Guemes Channel links Padilla Bay with Rosario Strait, but currents can exceed 5 knots. Rosario Strait is the more open water beyond the channel.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Anacortes, boaters can plan day trips in Rosario Strait and the San Juan Islands to James Island, Cypress Island and Sucia Island. James Island offers year round dock and buoy moorage, emerald coves, forested trails and two white sand beaches. On boat only Cypress Island, Eagle Harbor and Pelican Beach provide access to the Eagle Cliff Trail and primitive recreation sites. Sucia Island draws crews to hidden coves, protected bays, forest and gravel beaches; it has moorage docks and buoys, and the state geotourism page places Anacortes about 25 nautical miles away.

Source: Washington State Parks (parks.wa.gov)