Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #26: Mariner’s Cove to Oak Harbor City Beach

General area of island: NORTH – Eastside

Nearest town or community: Oak Harbor

Point to Point launch sites: #10 Mariner’s Cove boat ramp to #14 Windjammer Park

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 8.4 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

Site 10: Mariners Cove Boat Ramp. Lat/Long: N 48: 17.408 W: 122: 31.090
From Hwy 20 or Pioneer WSay turn R onto Regatta Rd. Then E onto Crescent Harbor Rd. Go 3.5 mi. then road turns S and becomes Reservation Rd. After another 1.5 mi. the road goes E and becomes Polnell Rd. After 2.5 mi, Polnell becomes Strawberry Pt Rd. Go downhill to Mariners Beach Dr. to end, a looped gravel road with lawn bench and small boat launch.
Site #14: Windjammer Park Lat/Long: N 48: 17.137 W: 122: 39.108
Located in Oak Harbor at the end of Beeksma Rd where Hwy 20 makes a sharp 90 degree turn. Plenty of parking, boat ramp and campground. Nice launch area. But best to launch or land at near high tide. This is a flat beach with a long walk to the water�s edge at low tide through muddy yuck.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a long paddle that passes below the Naval station and Polnell Pt, then into Crescent Harbor and around Maylor and Forbes Pt. to Windjammer Park. The paddle is even longer if you hug the shore around Crescent Harbor. Paddling conditions are usually mild and pleasant in these relatively protected waters just S. of Oak Harbor. Long but pleasant paddle.

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.