Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #28: Monroe Landing to San De Fuca

General area of island: NORTH – Central East Side

Nearest town or community: Oak Harbor and Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #19: Monroe Landing. To #22 Grasser’s Lagoon

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): variable

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

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.
Site #22: Grasser�s Lagoon Lat/Long: N 48: 14.042 W: 122: 43.925
Lagoon is on the s side of Hwy 20 at the NW corner of Penn Cove. 100 ft. off Zylstra Rd. There is a U-shaped pullout.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This paddle proceeds along the N shore of Penn Cove. Splendid views of Cascades and the Olympics. Try to launch or exit at moderate to high tide from Grasser�s Lagoon, as it is tidelands and can be muddy. Look S across Penn Cove for views of Coupeville and the mussel farm barges.

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.