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Camano Island

Trip

Sea Kayak - Camano Island

Maple Grove to Cavalero Beach, a 12.5 nMi section of the Camano Island series. Join us for a paddle around the top of Camano Island. Should be plenty of bird watching opportunities, loads of recently ancient historical sites, and a chance to thread through the mysterious West Pass and South Pass connection between Skagit Bay and Port Susan.

Contacts

Doug Palm
Doug Palm
Primary Leader
  • Sea Kayak III
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 12.8 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 11 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 1 ft
  • Pace: 2.5 knot average pace

There will be three planned stops on this route and the intention is to take advantage of a fair weather window.  Winds and waves permitting, we'll launch from Maple Grove County Park on the rising tide and head east to English Boom for our first break. Then on to the new park next to the Camano Gateway Bridge for a quick look about before heading to Port Susan via South Pass. Barnum Point is our next rest break before the final stretch. I expect we'll be off the water by 4pm, after which there's the 15 minute drive back to Maple Grove for some of the lucky ones.

This trip is rated SK III, primarily for the long distance (12.5 nautical miles). Also, there are a several of crossings of 1 to 1.5 nMi.

Meeting time is 8:30am at Maple Grove County Park (Island County) so please plan on arriving there on or before that time. We'll launch from the beach there promptly at 10am. The reason for the extra prep time is to allow half an hour for staging cars for the shuttle back at the end of the paddle. If you think you will need more time to get your kit ready, please plan on arriving before the 8:30am meeting time.

Maple Grove County Park is located on the north end of Camano Island and the address is 684 Maple Grove Road, Camano Island, Washington 98282.

There is no fee for parking vehicles without trailers or for launching kayaks. However, if you bring a trailer you will have to pay a $15 parking fee and park your vehicle and trailer in the designated trailer area. NOTE: vehicles without trailers must not be parked in the trailer area or they will be towed. This time of year there is usually plenty of parking so I'm not expecting it to be a problem.

Note: we will be launching from the beach just west of the boat ramp.  Please do not use the boat ramp itself or the beach to the east of it. Be careful not to block the boat ramp or the road accessing it.  The boat ramp at Maple Grove can get very busy and we don’t want to create any bad vibes with the motor boaters or the neighbors nearby.

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

Route/Place

Camano Island

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These eight essentials plus The Ten Essentials are required on all sea kayaking trips.  All but the whistle and clothing should be provided with any kayak rental.

  1. Floatation in both ends of the kayak
  2. U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  3. Paddle
  4. Spray skirt
  5. Bilge pump with floatation
  6. Self-rescue paddle float
  7. Waterproof whistle
  8. Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally - in this case dry suits and adequate undergarments required due to cold weather and the possibility of capsize in very cold water.
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