Island Beach Access
Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #13: Bush Point to Mutiny Bay
General area of island: CENTRAL South – West Side
Nearest town or community: Freeland
Point to Point launch sites: #36 Bush Point to #42 Mutiny Bay
Difficulty: Skill level I-III depending on conditions
Paddle distance/time (one way): 4.8 mi.
Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge
- Site #36: Bush Point Lat/Long: N 48: 02.017 W: 122: 36.179
From Hwy 525 N. of Freeland, turn W. onto Bush Pt Rd. (becomes Smuggler’s Pt Rd). for 2.7 mi. Go L at fork in road to Scurlock Rd take 0.75 Mi, then L on Spyglass Dr. Large fixed and floating dock launch site for boats. Good kayak launch site on beach just to left. - Site #42: Mutiny Bay Boat Launch. Lat/Long: N 47: 59.599 W: 122: 32.458
Take Hwy 525 to traffic light at Freeland, turn W onto Fish Rd. Turn L onto Mutiny Bay Rd. Turn R. onto Robinson Rd. and proceed to launch site. Nice launch site with ample parking is available about a block from the launch
Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
A pleasant paddle with current around Bush Pt being the only major concern. Route can be taken in either direction. Choose based on tide, wind, or current. Don’t get too close to Bush Pt itself, where currents will be at their strongest.
Bush Pt can be crowded, especially with shore fishermen during fall salmon migration runs. Watch for marine mammal life, e.g. harbor seals, and Dahl’s porpoises feeding during migrations. From Bush Pt, it is best to launch and round the point during slack tide, or at least under moderate northerly winds or modest current (incoming tide). Consider fishing for salmon from a kayak at this site.
Mutiny Bay offers an excellent waterfront view of homes of all shapes and sizes. To the west is the shipping channel, with the Olympic Mtns as backdrop. Once in Mutiny Bay, the paddling is pleasant and you will likely wind you way through large boats tethered to buoys.
Be sure to check out the mussel barges a mile or 3 W of Coupeville
KAYAKING SKILL LEVEL MATRIX (from Hole in the Wall Paddling Club newsletter)
| SKI | SKII | SKIII | SKIV | SKV | SKVI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography (fetch: distance of unimpeded wind) |
Protected from wind & waves |
Fetch less than 10 nautical miles |
Fetch more than 10 nautical miles |
Crossings up to 5 nautical miles |
Crossings over 5 nautical miles |
Landings may be impossible |
| Hydraulics | Insignificant currents |
Max current 1 knot |
Max current 2 knots |
Currents above 2 knots |
Currents faster than paddle speed |
Anything possible |
| Route | Day trips nearshore |
Crossings less than 1 nautical mile |
Eddy lines & tiderips possible | Strong eddy lines, tiderips & boils |
Possible launching & landing in surf |
Anything possible |
| Possible conditions | Calm | Winds less than 10 knots |
Wind possibility more than 10 knots |
Steep waves, swells & wind over 15 knots |
Foul weather, whitecaps and fast current |
Rescues may be impossible |
| Skills & expertise | Willing to learn |
Wet exits and rescues |
Group & self rescue; bracing |
Reflexive bracing, navigation |
All skills plus roll recommended |
Extensive surfing |
Information supplied by Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers – May the kelp be with you.