Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Circumnavigate Puget Island
Exceptionally mild weather for this winter trip made for a great paddle around this beautiful island. Striking waterfalls, eagles, seal, sea lions and lots of shore birds were among the attractions enjoyed by the group.
Will Greenough
- Sat, Jan 31, 2026
- Sea Kayak - Circumnavigate Puget Island
- Columbia River: Puget Island & Cathlemet Area
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Light winds and mild temperatures for most of the day. Some high clouds and sunshine.
The river level was pretty high, so many of the beaches available in the summer were non-existent or very small.
The launch/parking fee for kayaks at the Elochoman Slough Marina is now $6 (cash only).
We launched on time at 9:30am - the ramp was not busy at all this day. After leaving the marina, we paddled southeast along the shore, enjoying the basalt cliffs and beautiful waterfalls this section of the trip presents.
After about 3nm when the highway came down to the shoreline, we crossed to the Whites Island, skipping the planned stop as there was no good beach for a break due to high water levels. Paddling along the low shoreline of the island, we enjoyed the marshland views and looking into the swampy woods along the way. We stopped for a break at a well used (abused) fish camp site near the east end of the island. Once again the high water level made for a tricky landing through some logs along the shore. The weather was nice, so we took about 40 minutes for lunch at this spot.
After lunch, we rounded Whites Island and headed west along the shore past Birnie Slough and Pancake Point, stopping for another break at the east end of Coffee Pot Island.
Once again the beach was limited, but there was a small sandy landing beach just east of the interpretive sign at this location.
After break we paddled along the south side of Coffee Pott Island to take advantage of the building ebb current, and then along the shore of Puget Island to the northern tip of the island where we stopped for our last break. During break our equivalency candidate very competently performed self and assisted rescues with me in the very cold (38 degree) water.
We then paddled south, inside Ryan Island and crossed back to Cathlamet from the south end of Ryan Island. We got back to the ramp at 3:50pm after a great day out.
Total distance: 15.3nm
Average moving pace: 3.0kt