Massacre Bay



Massacre Bay and Turtleback Mountain

Approaching Skull Island by Kayak

Rope Swing - Skull Island

We departed Blind Bay after a fun weekend with friends and motored across Harney Channel to Massacre Bay in West Sound at Orcas Island.  Massacre Bay is very scenic with Turtleback Mountain rising as a backdrop over the bay and little Skull Island.  The Lummi used the small island and the surrounding land for seasonal camps which were raided in 1858 by a northern tribe from southeast Alaska, hence the foreboding place names.  We decided to explore this enchanting place by kayak.  While circling Skull Island, we spotted the beginnings of a sea cave and also spotted a rope swing, perhaps someone's secret swimming hole.

A Field of Flowers - Skull Island

Wild Flowers - Skull Island

The island appeared intriguing with its sparse growth of trees, open grassy areas, and fields of flowers.  We finally found a spot to go ashore along Skull Island’s rocky shoreline.  Tying off the kayaks to a log, we climbed up the steep bank and took in the lovely views. 

A Walk on Skull Island

We didn’t find any skulls but our imaginations were quick to fill in the missing pieces.  After spending the afternoon in Massacre Bay, we motored to nearby Double Island Cove to set the anchor for the night.  

Got d' Fever seen from Skull Island

This scenic cove also contains a small state park called Victim Island.   We made two or three attempts to set the anchor just off the shelf in about 21 feet of water but kept finding patches of rock; the anchor would grab and then lose its bite, jarring the bow of the boat.  I guess we were the next victims of Double Island Cove and its haunting islands.  We motored back to the northeast side of West Sound and anchored in front of the adorable West Sound Café near the public pier.