Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #18: Libbey Beach to Ebeys Landing

General area of island: CENTRAL South – West Side

Nearest town or community: Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #20 Libbey Beach Park to #28 Ebey’s Landing

Difficulty: Skill level II- depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 4.5 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

• Site #20: Libbey Beach Park Lat/Long: N 48: 13.925 W: 122: 46.011
  From Hwy 525 go W onto Libbey Beach Rd. for 1.2 mi. to end
• 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.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
Libby Beach is far from an ideal launch or takeout site. A short left hand cement staircase must be maneuvered with kayaks. Large rocks near the shoreline represent a hazard at high tide when they are all but hidden. Avoid westerly winds. Definitely better to launch or exit from Libby Beach Park at relatively low tide on calm days so that the rock obstructions can be seen before entering. Avoid windy conditions.

Pleasant paddle made easier by favorable weather, wind, and currents. You will pass undeveloped bluffs and finally, as you approach Ebey’s landing area, cliffs sloping downward toward shore, and Ebey’s landing itself, which is a very pleasant beach.

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.