Henderson Inlet

Trip

Sea Kayak - Henderson Inlet

Spend the day exploring beautiful Henderson Inlet as we paddle a roundabout course to Boston Harbor. Expect to see all sorts of marine life along the way. Be sure to bring a water proof camera.

  • Sea Kayak III
  • Casual
  • Mileage: 11.0 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 12 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 1 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 2 kts
  • Pace: 2.5 kts

We will meet at Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area at 7:30 AM. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for parking at this site and at Boston Harbor. It is particularly important to be on time. Parking is limited, and we must shuttle cars to Boston Harbor. Please be ready to unload boats and gear as quickly as possible  then drive to Boston Harbor. At Boston Harbor we can all load into my VW Westfalia for the ride back to the launch site. Here are the directions to the launch site.

From Olympia: Travel north on East Bay Drive, which becomes Boston Harbor Road. Turn right onto Woodard Bay Road. Travel about ~ 1.5 miles and the road jogs to the left then picks up again to the right. Follow Woodard Bay Rd to the bottom of the hill. The parking area is on your left, just before the bridge.

From I-5 Southbound: Follow I-5 towards Olympia. Take Exit 109 (Martin Way Exit) towards Sleater-Kinney Road. Turn right onto Sleater-Kinney Rd NE. Travel approximately 4.5 miles then continue straight onto 56th Ave NE for 0.4 miles. At "T" turn right onto Shincke Rd NE going 0.5 mi. Turn right to remain on Shincke Rd NE for another 0.5 miles. The road curves to the left and becomes Woodard Bay Rd NE then it curves to the right. Cross the bridge over Woodard Bay and the parking lot is on your right.

From I-5 Northbound: Take I-5 north to the Port of Olympia exit. Travel north on Plum St., which becomes East Bay Dr and then Boston Harbor Rd. Turn right onto Woodard Bay Road. Travel about ~ 1.5 miles and the road jogs to the left then picks up again to the right. Follow Woodard Bay Rd to the bottom of the hill. The parking area is on your left, just before the bridge.

We will need to have 9.7 ft of water to comfortably float us out of the Woodard Bay Conservation Area and into Henderson Inlet. With a falling tide we must be on the water at 9:00 AM. The carry from the parking lot to the water is steep but safe so long as we are not in a rush. 

Please be sure to bring snacks, a lunch, and maybe a waterproof camera.

Route/Place

Henderson Inlet


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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
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