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Sea Kayak - Squaxin Island Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation of Squaxin Island, leaving from and returning to Boston Harbor Marina, with mid-way lunch on Hope Island.

Tom Culhane Tom Culhane
May 01, 2023
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Conditions were great, in large part due to very good weather.

Had a great paddle and completed the trip as planned.  Circumnavigated Squaxin Island in a counterclockwise direction to take advantage of a slight current assist just west of the northern tip of the island. Low tide was 4.9 ft @ 10:22am, and a high tide was 9.7 ft at 3:01pm. We departed from Boston Harbor at 10:05 AM.

The weather prediction was for S wind 5 to 15 kt, wind waves 1 to 2, and temperatures in the mid-60s. We experienced virtually no wind for the first half of the trip, as we were then on the leeward (east) side of Squaxin Island. Rounded the northern tip of the island and made it to Hope Island about 1:15, where we ate lunch. We then paddled past Hunter Point and made it back to Boston Harbor about 3:10 PM. The only significant wind experienced on the trip was at the end of the paddle, during the crossing back to Boston  Harbor, when there was a headwind of perhaps 5 kts.

There were two leaders for this trip (this was my first mentored trip as a leader), and 3 participants. Everyone paddled strongly and seemed to enjoy the trip.