
Trip
Sea Kayak - Turn & Doe Islands
This “Two Island Classic” San Juans paddle trip includes 40 nm, 3 days, camping on 2 islands and (almost) a circumnavigation of Lopez Island. It fulfills a requirement for the San Juan Island Paddling Experience Award Badge.
- Sat, Mar 1, 2025 — Mon, Mar 3, 2025
- Tacoma Branch Sea Kayaking Program
- Sea Kayaking
- Adults
- Sea Kayak IV
- Challenging
- Mileage: 42.0 nm
- Maximum Wind: 20 kts
- Maximum Waves: 5 ft
- Maximum Currents: 5 kts
- Pace: 3 kt flatwater pace
- FULL (6 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Day 1: Washington Park to Turn Island. While this is the longest distance day (19 nm), we’ll enjoy a lot of current assist. After a morning launch we'll cross Rosario Strait, letting an approx. 2.5 kt ebb help us down to the southern end of Lopez Island. We'll then explore the beautiful rocky southern shore of Lopez Island, stopping at Iceberg Point for lunch. After lunch, we'll paddle through Cattle Pass with about 2.5 kt flood current – be prepared for chaotic seas - and on to our campsite at Turn Island.
Day 2: Turn Island to Doe Island. We’ll have a leisurely launch to catch the afternoon flood through Upright Channel and Peavine Pass to Doe Island.
Day 3: Catch the morning ebb to return to Washington Park.
This is a challenging paddle. You must be experienced and comfortable in strong currents and rough water, and in good physical shape as this is a long trip (42nm). Keep in mind that it’s still winter! There could be cold temperatures, precipitation and strong winds. My intended max is 15 knot winds. We will go in forecast winds up to 20 kts, depending on the details. Be prepared to paddle into wind if needed. There could be wind against current, so anticipate possible significant waves. Of course there might also be sun and blue skies!
In early March we anticipate having these islands pretty much to ourselves! It should be a great trip!
When asking permission to join, if I don’t know you yet, please describe what you have done recently that prepares you for this trip, including what multi-day trips you've done recently. Please seek permission via the trip posting registration link for that purpose, not with a direct email to me.
What to bring in addition to the kayaking essentials: Helmets, personal camping equipment, Towbelts, VHF radios. Drysuits required. If you wish to share tenting or cooking equipment you need to arrange that yourself.
I'll be out of town and most likely unable to respond to messages or permission requests from Jan 27- Feb 7.
Meet at the Washington Park Day Use area next to the boat ramp. (6320 Sunset Beach, Anacortes). Before launch you’ll need to move your car to the overnight parking area ($11). Arrive with PLENTY of time to load your boat for this multi-day trip, plus move your car to the overnight parking area. There is a bathroom.
Be at the water ready to launch for the shoretalk at 9:15am. We will launch at 9:30. This is a hard launch time, based on currents.
San Juan Islands from Anacortes
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Rosario Strait & Bellingham WA001
Sea Trails Lopez, Blakely, Decatur & Shaw Islands WA002
NOAA Bellingham to Everett No. 18423
NOAA Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia No. 18421 - 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