Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #5: Baby Island – Freeland Park

General area of island: South CENTRAL – Eastside

Nearest town or community: Freeland

Point to Point launch sites: #41: Holmes Harbor Freeland Park or #34 Hidden Beach

Difficulty: Skill level II-III depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 8.5 Mi.

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

To/From Baby Island:

Hidden Beach –– 3 miles (GWE reference 34)
Freeland — 6.5 miles (GWE reference 41)
Camano Island State Park – 2.5 miles (GWE reference 66)
Langley – 7.5 miles (GWE reference 50)

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a wonderful paddle. Baby Island becomes a peninsula at low tide. First Nations have a long history here, evidenced by the substantial shell midden. It’s a popular spot for seals and eagles. Approach the island with binoculars. Eagles can sometimes be seen on the rocks eating their prey. Best time to visit Baby Island is on a calm, warm sunny day. Paddling around the island is possible around high tide.

Plan on arriving at low tide to enjoy the eelgrass, shorebirds, seals, etc. The peninsula disappears at high tide. If you land near the shore-peninsula portion, you could be high and dry at low tide or risk losing your kayak at high tide.

There are other access points along the E. shore of Holmes Harbor, but they are private or community-owned and permission is needed.

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.