Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #27: Oak Harbor City Beach to Monroe Landing

General area of island: NORTH – Eastside

Nearest town or community: Oak Harbor and Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #14 Windjammer Park City Beach to #19: Monroe Landing.

Difficulty: Skill level I-III depending on conditions

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

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

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.
Site 19: Monroe Landing Lat/Long: N 48: 14.421 W: 122: 40. 836
Going S on Hwy 20 N. of Penn Cove, take Monroe Landing Rd and follow it about 2 mi. to the end. Going N on Hwy 20, take Arnold Rd to Monroe Landing Rd. then turn R.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
Splendid views of Cascades and, once in Penn Cove, the Olympics. Look for river otters in this area. Also, abundant mussels on the shoreline. As always, watch for wind and currents. Mostly safe especially along the shoreline. Best to depart at mid to high tide. At low tide the Windjammer Park shoreline is a muddy walk along mussel beds. River otters are sometimes visible midway enroute. Watch for winds from the south at 5+mph. Waves can build up by the time they reach Oak Harbor, making paddling more difficult. Monroe Landing is a pleasant launch site. Rarely crowded.

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.