Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #10: Possession Beach Wft Park to Maxwellton Beach

General area of island: SOUTH-Eastside to Westside

Nearest town or community: Clinton, WA

Point to Point launch sites: #57 Possession Beach Waterfront Park to #52: Dave Mackie Park (Maxwellton). This paddle can be done from either direction

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 5.6 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

• Site #57: Possession Beach Waterfront Park Lat/Long: N 47: 54.729 W: 122: 22.562
  Proceed S. from Hwy 525 on Cultus Bay Rd. As it turns east near Cultus Bay, go past Franklin R to Possession Rd, which forks to the R. Follow a winding road down to the park. Ample parking, picnic and parking available in the day-use park.
• Site #52: Dave Mackie Park (Maxwellton) Lat/Long: N 47: 56.357  W: 122: 26.670
  Proceed S. from Hwy 525 down Maxwellton Rd about 5 Mi. Ample parking, picnic areas, and ball fields. Shifting sands necessitate carrying kayaks from the launch across a sand bar, particularly at low tides, but not unpleasant.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
A pleasant paddle from either direction. Good views of Mt Rainer and Seattle to the south, and Olympic mtns to the West. Going S from Maxwellton, note the erosion of the cliffs. Another point of interest is a small island on the SW corner of WI populated by shore birds (mostly gulls) that disappears at high tide. Watch for change in current/wind as you round the southernmost points, on either the E or W side of Cultus Bay. Likely to be more noticeable on the W (Scatchet Head) side. Note that Cultus Bay itself is very shallow and especially at low tides, when mudflats are present. But not a problem for kayakers. Some rocky areas on the E. tip of W. Island that may not be fully obvious at high tide.

A nice stop or alternative launch point is Possession Point State Park, about a half mile S. of the launch site. It is a kayak camp and is part of the marine trails system. This is a also popular area for scuba diving.

The Dorothy Cleveland walking trail starts and ends at the S. edge of Possession Beach Waterfront Park. It is a great diversion after a long paddle (or to get warmed up for one!)

Indian Point, (N47 55 38.5, W122 26 32.6) about 1 mile S. of Maxwellton, is now part of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and is open to the public. It is a good place to take a break. A 0.5 mi. wide shallow beach is a nice place for a picnic. It is also a good place for goeduck and horse clam harvesting. But be sure to secure your kayaks while kayaking. Note the cliff erosion in this area. And eagles overhead.

A sandbar impedes the launch at Maxwellton Dave Mackie park. Bad for boats but manageable for kayakers.

KAYAKING SKILL LEVEL MATRIX (from Hole in the Wall Paddling Club newsletter)

Information supplied by Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers – May the kelp be with you.