
Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Central Hood Canal
Seabeck Marina to Holly Cove
- Sat, Aug 17, 2024
- Sea Kayak - Central Hood Canal
- Central Hood Canal
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
-
- Road suitable for all vehicles
Paddlers met at Seabeck Marina at 0915, adequate parking exists along the side of the road and there's a small park just north of the village, at the end of the seawall, where there's easy access to the tidal flat for boats. Portable toilets are located behind Seabeck Pizza and a full bathroom is available at Misery Cove State Park, about 5 min away.
The plan was to paddle from Seabeck to Holly Cove, approx 11 nm away. We set up the car shuttle and then geared up and completed a pre-departure brief of water and weather conditions. The sky was clear with comfortable temperatures in the mid-60s at launch time. Winds were northerly at ~10kts with waves to ~2 ft in Seabeck Cove and light chop, tide was ~ 1hr past low with a range of -2 to 11.2 ft. We got on the water at about 1045, paddled into the waves and wind just long enough to round Misery Point and then settled in with the wind and tide assisting us, creating easy paddling conditions.
After ~7 miles, we stopped for lunch at Charlie's Beach, then continued on to Holly. The wind dropped and as the tide approached slack, we lost our current. Temperatures rose into the mid-70s so it was pleasant when a brief rain squall passed over just before we reached the destination. We arrived at Holly about 1615.
Despite the beautiful day, very few boats of any kind were seen. A few seals came up and checked us out and a couple of porpoises were seen in the distance. A very pleasant way to spend a summer Saturday!