Trip

Sea Kayak - Hale Passage & Wollochet Bay

Come explore north shore of Fox Island, East Cromwell over to Magnolia Heights and Wollochet bay

  • Sea Kayak II/III
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 9.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 10 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 1 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 1 kts
  • Pace: 3kt

 

205 Fox Island bridge, Fox Island, WA 98333, USA ( it’s a sandy area off to right just after crossing the bridge) and a boat ramp.

Note there are no rest rooms at ramp the nearest facilities can be found at Fox Island Sand Spit Park.

Meet at 8:00am (Must have dry suit)

Tacoma Branch, Basic Kayak Students.  Please bring your filled out Paddle Completion Sheet. As an option other branch kayak students are welcome to fill-out a completetion sheet, as well.  Please be ready for pre-paddle discussion on beach.  Note I will email everyone on the paddle a few days before hand.  A Completion sheet, will be attached to the email.

Our tentative route is as follows launch at Fox Island boat ramp, turn north then head east, under bridge hugging coast line. We’ll pass south of Tangle Wood Island.  We’ll stay close to Fox Island following its contours until we get to Ketner’s Point.  Then heading due north crossing to Cromwell once we’re across.  We’ll head east, toward Magnolia Heights Boat ramp. Following a short break, we’ll follow the shore line until we reach Sullivan Gulch. After leaving there we’ll head towards East Cromwell coast.  Once we’re close to shore we’ll turn south, following coast line and exiting Wollchet Bay.  We’ll follow the Gig Harbor, side of shore line until we reach Arletta, promptly turning south, to Fox island Sand Spit Park, also non as Nearns point. Final leg of paddle is back to Fox Island Boat ramp.

There are not any kayak rental equipment locations near this paddle you’ll need to supply all your own gear.

Be sure to bring Lunch and snacks

You’ll have an opportunity to perform Yourself and Assisted Rescues when we get to the Fox island Sand Spit in the afternoon.

Basic Sea Kayak Student from all Branches are welcome. 

 

I expect this sea kayak trip to have this difficulty and plan to paddle in up to these conditions (view the sea kayak difficulties definitions on our Activity Types, Difficulties & Prerequisites page):

  • Difficulty: SK-11
  • Wind:<10kt
  • Waves: <1’
  • Currents: <1kt
  • Distance:  9nm
  • Pace: 3kt, moderate pace
Route/Place

Hale Passage & Wollochet Bay


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These seven 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
Trip Reports