Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #16: Keystone to Ledgewood Beach Park

General area of island: CENTRAL South – West Side

Nearest town or community: Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #30: Keystone Jetty to #33 Ledgewood Beach Access

Difficulty: Skill level I-II- depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 3.7 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

Site #30: Keystone Jetty: Lat/Long: N 48: 09.493 W: 122: 40.257
Located in Ft Casey State Park near the Coupeville – Pt Townsend Ferry dock
Site #33: Ledgewood Beach access: Lat/Long N 48: 08.586 W 122: 36.260
From Hwy 525 go W onto Ledgewood Beach Rd. At T intersection, go a half mile, then W onto Seward Way. Sharp downilll with hairpin onto Driftwood Way. There is a parking area on the left. Stairs to beach but can be managed with kayaks.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
Many choices here for day trips. If starting or returning to Coupeville, an alternate launch site is Captain Coupe’s Park, closer toward Coupeville. Fewer worries about access at low tide. Kayak access at Coupeville isn’t great, especially at low tide. Access/egress around the pier or at the pier means considerable boat-hauling.

Alternatively, launch at Monroe Landing and plan to paddle round-trip, although a one-way paddle would work at a high tide. A strong westerly wind is often present on most afternoons. Consider launching from Monroe Landing before noon and letting the wind carry you back. Enter Lagoon only when the tide level is fairly high and perhaps still going in, so that you don’t find yourself trapped in there. Parking permit is needed at the Grasser’s Lagoon site. Limited parking is free at Monroe Landing.

Lots of ghost shrimp burrows can be observed along the sandy shores nearest Monroe Landing and as you ‘round a rocky point west of these sandy shores at a low tide, you’ll find lots of mussels clinging to the rocks. Grasser’s Lagoon is a popular clamming spot at low tide. Lots of birds to observe. In the spring an occasional whale might be sighted.

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.