Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #4: Holmes Harbor W to Hidden Beach

General area of island: South CENTRAL – Eastside

Nearest town or community: Freeland – Greenbank

Point to Point launch sites: #41: Holmes Harbor Freeland Park to #34 Hidden Beach

Difficulty: Skill level II-III depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 8.5 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

Site #34: Hidden Beach: Lat/Long: N 48: 07.727 W: 122: 33.789
North of Greenbank, turn R off HWY 525 onto North Bluff Rd. Go N. about 2 mi ontoNeon Lane for a short block then N on Crane�s Landing Rd. Parking is limited.
Site #41: Freeland Park Lat/Long N 48: 00.917 W 122: 31.840
From Hwy 525, turn N onto Honeymoon Bay Rd to Shoreview Dr. Plenty of parking, porta-potty and picnic tables.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a LONG paddle but there are exit/entry points along the way, for example Honeymoon Bay. Can be taken in either direction, depending on weather, wind, currents

Baby Island is a diversion point across the mouth of Holmes Harbor but watch for wind. Problem is, there are no public launch sites near Baby Island, if this is your stopping point. Some private ones are available.

Another rest point is Honeymoon Bay on the W side of Holmes Harbor.

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.