Sea Kayak - Camano Island

This trip is rated SK III, primarily for the long distance (12.5 nautical miles). Also, there are a several crossings of about 1.5 nMi and some potential tide tips in a few places.

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 Cavalero County Park on the rising tide and head east to Iverson Spit for our first break. Then on to the Leque Island park next to the Camano Gateway Bridge for lunch and a quick look about before heading to English Boom County Park for our final break. I expect we'll be at Maple Grove and off the water shortly after sunset (4:19pm), after which there's the 15 minute drive back to Cavalero for some of the lucky ones.

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

If you have a storm cagole bring it in case you need an extra layer to keep the chill off, especially should the wind pick up. Also works great at breaks to help you stay warm. Otherwise an oversized poncho you can pull on over your PFD will do in a pinch (Frogg Togg etc).

As we'll be ending after sunset, plan on bringing a white light for your back deck and also a waterproof headlamp to aid with putting away your gear and car topping your boat after the paddle.

Additionally, if you have waterproof Christmas lights you may want to bring them for the last leg of the paddle; should make for a bit of a fun show for the folks living along the north shore.

Note: we will be launching from the beach just south of the Cavalero 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 road accessing it.  The boat ramp at Cavalero 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.

Stay tuned for updates by email (so check your junk mail folders for mail from me or info@mountaineers.org in case they get filtered).

If it looks like weather conditions will turn rough I'll cancel and look for another date when the tides and weather look good.

Weather and tide information:

NOAA Marine Pinpoint Weather Forecast for the north end of Camano Island:

7-Day Marine Forecast 48.27N 122.49W | Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands

Windy.com forecast for the north end of Camano Island:

https://www.windy.com/48.265/-122.488?2023112612,48.236,-122.488,12

NOAA Marine Pinpoint Weather Forecast for the north end of Port Susan:

https://marine.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-122.40900&lat=48.21227

Windy.com forecast for the north end of Camano Island:

https://www.windy.com/48.211/-122.413?48.182,-122.413,12

NOAA tide prediction for Crescent Harbor, Whidbey Island:

Tide Predictions - NOAA Tides & Currents

NOAA tide prediction for Stanwood Stilliquamish River:

Tide Predictions - NOAA Tides & Currents

NOAA tide prediction for Kayak Point:

Tide Predictions - NOAA Tides & Currents

Meeting time is 8:30am at Cavalero 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 at Cavlaero before the 8:30am meeting time.

Cavalero County Park is located on the east side of Camano Island and the address is 1013 Simonson Pl, Camano, WA 98282. Please respect private property and park only within the designated lot near the boat ramp.

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.