Island Beach Access
Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #15: Ledgewood Beach to Lagoon Pt South
General area of island: CENTRAL South – West Side
Nearest town or community: Greenbank
Point to Point launch sites: #33 Ledgewood Beach to #36 Lagoon Pt So.
Difficulty: Skill level I-II- depending on conditions
Paddle distance/time (one way): 4.9 mi.
Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge
- Site #33: Ledgewood Beach access: Lat/Long N 48: 08.586 W 122: 36.260
From Hwy 525 go W onto Ledgewood Beach Rd. At T intersection, go a half mile, then W onto Seward Way. Sharp downilll with hairpin onto Driftwood Way. There is a parking area on the left. Stairs to beach but can be managed with kayaks - Site #36: Lagoon Pt. So. Lat/Long: N 48: 04.315 W: 122: 36.786
From 525 go W onto Smugglers Cove Rd. After 2.7 mi turn R onto Westcliff Dr . At bottom of hill go W toward water and a small gravel parking lot. Private property exists on both sides of the small launch site.
Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
Lake Hancock, about midway, is a bird sanctuary and is worth exploring. The Inlet can is narrow and current/ wind may make access challenging.
As you pass the Ledgewood Beach area, you will notice a protrusion of land jutting out from an otherwise nicely curved beach. This is the area of the massive Ledgewood slide of April, 2013. Check it out and look for destroyed homes above the shore. (Just off the north edge of the map)
Lk Hancock is a Navy restricted area. No trespassing signs exist, but beach-watchers are known to safely walk the beach (but not the lake). It is rumored that there may be explosive ordinances in the lakeshore/ marsh areas. Good lunch spot. Nice beach-front homes to view at Lagoon Pt.
KAYAKING SKILL LEVEL MATRIX (from Hole in the Wall Paddling Club newsletter)
| SKI | SKII | SKIII | SKIV | SKV | SKVI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography (fetch: distance of unimpeded wind) |
Protected from wind & waves |
Fetch less than 10 nautical miles |
Fetch more than 10 nautical miles |
Crossings up to 5 nautical miles |
Crossings over 5 nautical miles |
Landings may be impossible |
| Hydraulics | Insignificant currents |
Max current 1 knot |
Max current 2 knots |
Currents above 2 knots |
Currents faster than paddle speed |
Anything possible |
| Route | Day trips nearshore |
Crossings less than 1 nautical mile |
Eddy lines & tiderips possible | Strong eddy lines, tiderips & boils |
Possible launching & landing in surf |
Anything possible |
| Possible conditions | Calm | Winds less than 10 knots |
Wind possibility more than 10 knots |
Steep waves, swells & wind over 15 knots |
Foul weather, whitecaps and fast current |
Rescues may be impossible |
| Skills & expertise | Willing to learn |
Wet exits and rescues |
Group & self rescue; bracing |
Reflexive bracing, navigation |
All skills plus roll recommended |
Extensive surfing |
Information supplied by Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers – May the kelp be with you.