Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #17: Ebeys Landing to Keystone

General area of island: CENTRAL South – West Side

Nearest town or community: Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #28 Ebey’s Landing to #30 Keystone Jetty

Difficulty: Skill level II- depending on conditions (see chart below)

Paddle distance/time (one way): 4 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

• Site #28: Ebey’s Landing: Lat/Long N 11: 11.542 W 122: 43.858
  From Hwy 20 N of the traffic light at Coupeville, turn W. on Terry Rd, keeping straight (W) onto Ebey Rd. This is a flat, wide beach. No ramp but launching is relatively easy.
• 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.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a nice paddle under most conditions. It is facilitated by favorable tides and wind.

Ebey’s landing itself is a relatively nice launch/take-out site. Paddling south, you will eventually see the buildings and old barracks on Ft Casey State Park. You may encounter kelp beds in this area and strange but mild currents, possibly due to underwater terrain. Round the tip of Admiralty Head at the S. tip of Ft Casey to the Coupeville- Pt. Townsend ferry launch. Be wary of incoming or outgoing ferries. They approach quickly and create quite a wake. There is a strange water turbulence just N of the ferry launch site. Manageable, just be aware.

An alternative launch or take-out site is Driftwood Park, further eastward along Keystone Spit. You may experience a tidal or current push after passing Keystone that is a pleasant reward at the end of this paddle.

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.