Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Central Hood Canal
Central Hood Canal Holly to Seabeck
Paul Mocha
- Sat, Aug 6, 2022
- Sea Kayak - Central Hood Canal
- Central Hood Canal
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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This was a one way trip with a car shuttle, launching from a private beach in Holly. There is an unofficial public launch option for those who want to organize their own trip. Anderson Cove, about 1/2 mile north of Holly, has good roadside parking by the cove on Old Holly Hill NW. It’s best to launch there at a 7’ or higher tide. Lower tides are possible, but would entail a longer haul, perhaps 100 yards, to an accessible launch. Car shuttling is easy. Just north of Seabeck Marina is a lot of roadside parking space by the water. It was about a 15 minute drive from Holly each way to drop off our cars here.
Highlights of this trip included a beach where we stopped for lunch, formerly owned by a Mtneers kayaker whose family has placed the property in a land trust. It’s in Frenchmans Cove 3.8 nm from Holly:
47°36.099'N 122°55.256'W
Very scenic views by a creek of the Olympics across the way. Stavis Bay was very scenic. In spite of all the private beach signs, I’m always able to land for a break north of the inlet to the bay. There is a driftwood structure which marks the spot. We were able to paddle into the lagoon ( 7’ tide or higher recommended). Impressive views of the Olympics including Constance the rest of the way, and Mt. Baker to the north.
This is potentially a great wind paddle. We didn’t have tailwinds, but the headwinds were mild and only appeared towards the end of the trip.