Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Saddlebag Island
Good trip with varying weather and water conditions.
Bill Coady
- Sat, Aug 10, 2019
- Sea Kayak - Saddlebag Island
- Padilla Bay & Nearby Islands
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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NOAA had a small craft advisory in the point and zone forecast for the day and night before the paddle and again starting Saturday evening at 6PM. I was prepared to cancel the paddle if the advisory was still in effect during the day on Saturday but it was removed for the day. During our paddle the water/wind forecast was for <1' wind waves and 5-8kt winds. Started day with calm water, minimal wind waves. Ended day with ~1' to 1'6" wind waves and perhaps 10kt winds. Encountered a fairly large tide rip in the middle of the channel where indicated on most charts about mid-way between Southeast Point on Guemes and Cap Sante at Anacortes. We paddled well to east of the rips so all we experienced on the last ~2 miles of the trip were building wind waves and power boat wakes.
Launched at 10:30 AM from Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes. Had a slight drizzle with some showers as we loaded up and launched. No wind to speak of. Paddled in an arc east toward March Point and then north across the channel to Saddlebag. Lunch stop at Saddlebag Island in the north bay. Paddled across toward Huckleberry Island then crossed channel to paddle Guemes shoreline up to Boat Harbor.
Our return trip came south along Guemes Island past Long Bay and to Southeast Point on Guemes. The wind was starting to pick up and we could see the tide rip setting up so we paddled in an arc to the east around the rip, heading toward March Point. Wind waves max'd out at about 1'6". Most of the paddle challenge was simply dealing with boat traffic and associated wakes. Wind peaked at perhaps 10kts estimating from the Beaufort Scale. All the paddlers (recent students included) did a great job dealing with the conditions.