Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) - Round the Island Paddle #3: Saratoga Passage N &ndash Long Pt to Hidden Beach

General area of island: North CENTRAL � Eastside

Nearest town or community: Coupeville

Point to Point launch sites: #27: Long Point to #34 Hidden Beach

Difficulty: Skill level II-III depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 8.4 mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water�s Edge

# 27 Long Point: Lat/Long: N 48: 13. 575 W: 122: 38.941
From Coupeville, proceed E about 1.5 mi to a public launch site. Or proceed to Long Pt.
Site #34: Hidden Beach: Lat/Long: N 48: 07.727 W: 122: 33.789
North of Greenbank, turn R off HWY 525 onto North Bluff Rd. Go N. about 2 mi onto Neon Lane for a short block then N on Crane�s Landing Rd. Parking is limited.
Site 19: Monroe Landing Lat/Long: N 48: 14.421 W: 122: 40. 836
Going S on Hwy 20 N. of Penn Cove, take Monroe Landing Rd and follow it about 2 mi. to the end. Going N on Hwy 20, take Arnold Rd to Monroe Landing Rd. then turn R.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a LONG paddle. Winds and current along Long Pt may make launching tricky, but once past the point and heading S. the paddle is pleasant and straightforward. Points of interest include Harrington and Race Lagoons. Harrington Lagoon would make a great turn-around point.

An alternate launch site is Captain Coupe�s Park, closer toward Coupeville. No good launch sites in downtown Coupeville.

Pristine coastline with not many access points, either public or private. Best to shoot for favorable wind/currents if you are interested in a one-way trip.

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.