Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #25: Borgman Rd. to Mariner’s Cove

General area of island: NORTH – Eastside

Nearest town or community: Oak Harbor

Point to Point launch sites: #9 Borgman Rd E. to #10 Mariner&rsqu;s Cove boat ramp

Difficulty: Skill level I-III depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 3 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

Site #9: Borgman Rd. End Lat/Long: N 48: 19.361 W: 122: 46.011
From N of Oak Harbor take Hwy 20 to Fakkema Rd. then S onto Taylor Rd. Then E. onto Silver Lake Rd, then N onto Green Rd for 0.25 mi. Ten E onto Borgman Rd and down short slope to road end.
Site 10: Mariners Cove Boat Ramp. Lat/Long: N 48: 17.408 W: 122: 31.090
From Hwy 20 or Pioneer WSay turn R onto Regatta Rd. Then E onto Crescent Harbor Rd. Go 3.5 mi. then road turns S and becomes Reservation Rd. After another 1.5 mi. the road goes E and becomesPolnell Rd. After 2.5 mi, Polnell becomes Strawberry Pt Rd. Go downhill to Mariners Beach Dr. To to end, a loop gravel road with lawn bench and small boat launch. Polnell Rd. After 2.5 mi, Polnell becomes Strawberry Pt Rd. Go downhill to Mariners Beach Dr. to the end marked by a gravel loop road with lawn bench and small boat launch.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
A nice paddle on the protected E. side in Saratoga Passage. Short but pleasant paddle.

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.