Trip
Sea Kayak - Saddlebag & Vendovi Islands
A spring paddle & overnight camp to see the wildflowers at Vendovi Island. Saturday we'll paddle to Saddlebag Island & set up camp. We have the option of an afternoon paddle to explore/circumnavigate of the Padilla Bay islands (Dot Island, Hat Island, Saddlebag Island; and Huckleberry Island). Sunday we'll paddle to Vendovi Island - explore the island trails to Paintbrush Point (2 miles return trip) before departing Vendovi returning to our trip start point at Anacortes.
- Sat, May 18, 2024 — Sun, May 19, 2024
- Seattle Sea Kayaking
- Sea Kayaking
- Adults
- *Varies*, Sea Kayak II, Sea Kayak III+
- Moderate
- Mileage: 22.0 nm
- Maximum Wind: 15 kts
- Maximum Waves: 3 ft
- Maximum Currents: 2 kts
- Pace: 3nm/hr
- 3 (4 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Arrive no later than 10am (earlier if you want/need extra packing/loading time) to be ready for a 10.50am shore talk and a 11am kayak launch from Seafarer Memorial Park, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes, WA 98221. Free overnight parking is available nearby along Seafarers Way.
We will camp at Saddlebag island overnight Saturday (with the option of a 4 island circumnavigation Saturday afternoon) and on Sunday we’ll explore Vendovi Island hiking trails before returning to Anacortes.
As with standard Mountaineers Sea Kayaking activities, participants are responsible for making arrangements for their boats, gear, camping equipment, food, and water. Note there is no water available on Saddlebag Island so bring sufficient water for the trip. In addition, paddlers will need to pay for their own/contribute to the Saddlebag Island camping fees.
*When requesting permission for this trip - please outline your kayak camping experience and your spring kayak conditioning activities. *
Tentative Trip Plan:
Saturday: launch time of 11am to paddle the 2.5nMi to saddlebag & then set up tents & have lunch
DeepZoom trip: Anacortes-Saddlebag Is (4 island circumnavigation) https://www.deepzoom.com/trip/p2kp5t2s
There are Cascadia Marine Trail camp sites on Saddlebag Island
https://www.wwta.org/sites/saddlebag-island-sp/
https://storage.googleapis.com/stateless-wspf-website/2019/05/72fa1484-saddlebag-island.pdf
There will be an option of an afternoon 5 nMi paddle to circumnavigate - Dot island, Saddlebag island, Huckleberry island & Hat island
Sunday: depart 9.30am Saddlebag - Vendovi Island (almost 6 miles, arrive around 11.30am) then walk out to Paintbrush Point (approx 2 miles total, have lunch)
2pm depart Vendovi Island return to Anacortes (launch site around 5pm) almost 9 miles.
DeepZoom trip: Saddlebag Island - Vendovi Island - Anacortes https://www.deepzoom.com/trip/y76c7s6q
https://sjpt.org/visit-our-preserves/vendovi-island-preserve/
Padilla Bay & Nearby Islands
-
Sea Trails Rosario Strait Bellingham WA001
Sea Trails Lummi Island, Bellingham & Samish Bays WA005
NOAA Bellingham to Everett No. 18423
NOAA Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia No. 18421
MapTech The San Juan Islands No. 104
MapTech Rosario Strait No. 106 - See full route/place details.
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.
- Floatation in both ends of the kayak
- U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
- Paddle
- Spray skirt
- Bilge pump with floatation
- Self-rescue paddle float
- Waterproof whistle
- Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally