Commencement Bay

launch points

• Browns Point Lighthouse Park
• Dash Point Pier
• Dash Point State Park
• Dick Gilmur Memorial Shoreline
• Dickman Mill Park
• Jack Hyde Park (formerly Commencement Park)
• Judge Jack Tanner Park (formerly Marine Park)
• Foss Waterway Park and Waterway Park Non-motorized Float. See Foss Waterway Park & Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park for information about plans for this area.
• George H. Weyerhaeuser, Jr. Park (aka 21st Street Park)
• Thea's Park
• Point Defiance Park

on the water

Shoreline: Launch and paddle along the protected south shore as much as you like from the Thea Foss Waterway to Marine Park.

Loop: Start from any of the launch points and paddle a loop around the bay.  It's variable distance (usually around 7 nm) with a 2 nm open crossing.

notes

• Commencement Bay is a busy port of commerce, so watch for other watercraft.
• This is also a major shipping channel. If paddling across the northwest end of the bay, contact Vessel Traffic Control via VHF radio before crossing.

Information for Leaders

scheduling

• Please review the activities that have already been scheduled on the "Activities" tab below to be sure that we don't have two groups using the same launch point and paddling area at the same time.
• If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the recommended party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
• If you are scheduling a course field trip, please contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.

• Suitable Activities: Sea Kayaking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Sea Kayak II/III
• Length: 7.0 nm

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 45
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 45