Sea Kayak - Camano Island

This trip includes four legs and three planned stops. Our goal is to take advantage of a fair-weather window.

Winds and waves permitting, we’ll launch from Cavalero County Park on the falling tide and head south to Tillicum Beach for our first break. From there, we’ll continue down to Camano Head for a lunch stop before catching the start of the weak flood up Saratoga Passage. Mabana Beach on the west side will be our third break before the final stretch. We expect to be off the water by 5:00 p.m.

This trip is rated SK III, primarily due to the long distance—nearly 16 nautical miles—and a 2-nautical-mile crossing of Elger Bay.

Note that this trip has significant fetch exposure, so make sure you can keep your boat on track against weathercocking.

Drysuits and insulating undergarments suitable for winter conditions are required due to the cold weather and the risk of immersion in cold water. Gloves suitable for kayaking are highly recommended.

If you have a storm cag, bring it along in case you need an extra layer to keep the chill off—especially if the wind picks up. It also works well at breaks to help you stay warm. Otherwise, an oversized poncho that fits over your PFD will do in a pinch (for example, a Frogg Toggs poncho).

Weather, tide, and current links:

NOAA forecast for Cavalero area: 7-Day Marine Forecast 48.19N 122.46W | Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands

NOAA forecast for Camano Head update: 7-Day Marine Forecast 48.05N 122.36W | Puget Sound and Hood Canal

NOAA forecast for Camano State Park update: 7-Day Marine Forecast 48.12N 122.51W | Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands

Windy forecast for area off Camano Head: https://www.windy.com/48.046/-122.351

Kayak Point Tide Station Tide Predictions - NOAA Tides & Currents

Camano Head-Sandy Point Current Station: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaacurrents/predictions?id=PUG1618_42

Green Bank Tide Station: Tide Predictions - NOAA Tides & Currents

Meeting time is 7:00 a.m. at Cavalero County Park (Island County), so please plan to arrive on or before that time. We’ll launch from the beach promptly at 8:30 a.m. The extra prep time allows for about half an hour to shuttle cars to the other end of the paddle route.

If you think you’ll need more time to get your kit ready, please plan to arrive at Cavalero County Park before the 7:00 a.m. meeting time.

Cavalero County Park is located on the east side of Camano Island. The address is 1013 Simonson Pl, Camano, WA 98282.

There is no parking fee at Cavalero County Park for vehicles without trailers, but you’ll need to display a Discover Pass in your vehicle at Camano Island State Park.

Special note for anyone bringing a trailer: Owners of vehicles with trailers must pay a launch fee. At Cavalero County Park, it’s $15. At Camano Island State Park, it’s $7. Ideally, we’ll shuttle any vehicles with trailers to the cheaper option once the boats and gear are unloaded at Cavalero.

Launch details: We will launch from the beach at Cavalero on the south side of the boat ramp. Please do not use the boat ramp itself or the beach to the north of it. Be careful not to block the boat ramp or the access road. The ramp at Cavalero can get busy, and we want to avoid creating any bad vibes with motor boaters or nearby residents.

Note: Camano Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge from Stanwood via State Route 532.