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Mariners’ Cove is on the northeast corner of Whidbey Island in a natural amphitheater, protected from the prevailing winds. Members tend to refer to it as ‘the Cove’. It is located in an area of western Washington sometimes called the “banana belt”, where the rainfall is less than 19” annually, compared to the average of 39” for Seattle. Here, just seven nautical miles from Deception Pass, we can enjoy island life with easy access to the San Juan Islands without having to rely on a ferry. Seattle is about a 2-hour drive, whether you go south across the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry or north across the Deception Pass bridge.

Clearly the most significant quality which differentiates Mariners’ Cove from other similar communities, is the safe, well-protected marina canals with easy access to Puget Sound via Saratoga Passage. The Cove's canals depths are maintained in extreme low tides by a coffer dam at the entrance to the marina. We have our own water system, hydrants, and streetlights. All MCBC utilities run underground further preserving our views. There is a total of 172 individual lots within MCBC and currently over 136 residences. Mariners’ Cove is now, and always will be, a very special place and a unique place in which to live.

Governing documents

Mariners’ Cove homeowners are grateful to the original founders for their foresight when drawing up the original MCBC, (Mariners Cove Beach Club), governing documents. These guidelines have enabled members over the years to maintain the quality and beauty of the area, which in turn has continued to enhance MCBC real estate values. You can find the following governing documents in the Community documents section of this website, including:

• Articles of Incorporation of Mariners’ Cove Beach Club, Inc.
• Mariners’ Cove Beach Club, Inc. Amendments to Restrictive Covenants Affecting
  the Plat of Mariners’ Cove Division No. III.
• Mariners’ Cove Beach Club, Inc. Bylaws
• Mariners’ Cove Beach Club, Inc. Marina Rules and Regulation
• Plat of Mariners Cove
• MCBC Administrative Policies & Procedures
• Board Compliance Enforcement Policy
• MCBC Fireworks Policy

MCBC Board of Trustees

Conserving this uncommon setting for future residents is a responsibility MCBC Board of Trustees and residents take seriously. The Board of Trustees, (elected from and by property owners), has the responsibility for enforcing Covenants, Bylaws and Marina Rules and Regulations; maintaining MCBC waterways and community docks, community grounds and the water system.

Current financial information, proposed budgets and related financial data are computerized, and information is disseminated mostly in digital media, available to Members online. The Reserve Study, capital improvement plan and depreciation schedule for Cove property are used to anticipate capital expenditures early enough to mitigate the risk of any future special assessments.

MCBC has been fortunate over the years to have had many dedicated residents willing to serve in a variety of capacities. Along with the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the MCBC Board of Trustees, whose roles are self-evident, the following five formal Committees are maintained to help manage the business of the Cove. An annual member meeting is held each year, typically in April.

MCBC Board of Trustees Committee chairs

• Architectural Review Committee (ARC) – Mariners’ Cove sits in a unique, bowl-like venue. Hillside homes and homes on the canals alike all possess amazing views. In order to protect the views, the ARC is charged with enforcing the height restriction for trees and houses on canal lots. People who plan to build or modify a home must submit their plans to this group for approval before beginning work. As a result of this Committee’s consistent oversight and the cooperation of homebuilders, the Cove has maintained a pleasing and attractive appearance.
• Docks – Boat docks are at the heart of Mariners’ Cove. There is close to 1,500 feet of dock space (including finger piers) available on the two MCBC community docks, providing moorage for up to 50 boats. The Harbormaster is responsible for overseeing this invaluable asset to the Cove. Annual and monthly moorage options are available. Revenues from boats on the community docks finance dock maintenance.
• Parks and Grounds – MCBC contains several common spaces available for all MCBC neighbors to enjoy including a private boat launch ramp, a park with shuffle board and sports court, two community docks with associated parking, and a Jetty park, just south of the entrance from Saratoga Passage into the MCBC marina. The Parks and Grounds Trustee provides oversight for these common areas.
  As a result of the efforts of this committee over the years, Members continue to enjoy improvements in many MCBC spaces. The Parks and Grounds Committee manages a schedule for mowing common spaces and helps owners maintain vacant lots with mowing services available for a fee. 
• Water System – The Washington State Department of Health has rigid rules and regulations where water is concerned. Understanding these requirements and implementing them has been important contributions of the Water System trustee. The MCBC wells produce a satisfactory amount of water, such that the Department of Health has allowed the Cove to increase its available number of water connections. The Cove maintains a building to house equipment essential to maintaining our water supply. We employ a local professional water system management company to monitor this operation. And the reliability of our system and the quality of our water are both excellent.
• Waterways Committee – MCBC has about 6,000 lineal feet of internal waterways. The Board has authorized several studies pertaining to maintenance of the marina entrance, the coffer dam, and the MCBC canals. Keeping track of the health of these key assets is an important function of the Waterways Committee.

Residents in Mariners’ Cove consider themselves extremely fortunate to live in this unique community. During the 60 years since the Cove was developed, scores of governmental regulations have been implemented concerning the building of docks and waterways so that contemporary development of a similar community is highly unlikely.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected]