Trip
Sea Kayak - Skagit & Hope Islands
12+nm trip with current assist through Deception Pass to Hope Island and back. Qualifies for Intermediate SK IV paddle if completed at 3 kts pace or better.
Contacts
- Fri, May 23, 2025
- Seattle Sea Kayaking
- Sea Kayaking
- Adults
- Sea Kayak IV
- Moderate
- Mileage: 13.0 nm
- Maximum Wind: 15 kts
- Maximum Waves: 3 ft
- Maximum Currents: 4 kts
- Pace: 3 kts
- 1 (4 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
This trip is intended to satisfy the requirements for one of the three 12+ nm SK IV and above paddles for the Seattle branch Intermediate Sea Kayak Course.
It will also satisfy the requirements for the Hope Island paddle of the Seattle Branch North Puget Sound Paddling Experience — The Mountaineers badge.
Participants must:
- Be able to maintain a 3 kts flat water kayak pace. We'll have current assist much of the day.
- Have experience paddling in fast currents (i.e. a currents course or equivalent experience). We'll encounter currents up to 4 knots.
- Have experience paddling in wind and waves. If wind comes up, Deception Pass can develop large standing waves.
- Dry suit and helmet required.
Contact the leader if you have questions about whether you are prepared.
Plan:
Shore talk at 9am and launch by 9:30am.
Paddle through Deception Pass (3.6kt flood) and past Yokeko Point (2.4kt assist).
Optional break near Hoypus Point.
Ride ebb south between Ben Ure Spit and Hope Island, then counter clockwise around Hope Island to land on north shore for break.
Paddle to Kiket Island Tombolo for optional break then paddle to Skagit Island for lunch.
Return (with possible breaks at Hoypus Point and lunch bay) via Canoe Pass. Small current assist at Yokeko Point and Canoe Pass.
Return to Bowman Bay by 2:15pm.
Meet at Bowman Bay at 8am or as needed to be ready for 9am shore talk and 9:30am launch. A Discover Pass is required. Restrooms are available.
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
- tow belt (if you have one)
- Marine radio (if you have one)
- helmet (recommended)