Island Beach Access
Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle # 6: Saratoga Passage South – Hidden Beach–Langley Boat Harbor
General area of island: CENTRAL South – Eastside
Nearest town or community: Greenbank – Langley
Point to Point launch sites: #34: Hidden Beach to #50 Langley Boat Harbor
Difficulty: Skill level II-III depending on conditions
Paddle distance/time (one way): 10.3 mi.
Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge
- 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 #50: Langley Boat Harbor: Lat/Long N 48: 02.304 W 122: 24.275
Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
This is a LONG paddle on the East side, crossing the entrance to Holmes Harbor. As always, go with the wind or current if at all possible.
Diversion points include Baby Island and into Holmes Harbor, but public launches are scarce. There are also private launch sites around Greenbank that you may be able to use with permission. An old public launch site near Greenbank is in dispute and for now is private. Bells Beach is private but possibly can be used with permission. Another diversion on a nice day is Camano Isl. State Park.
Warnings, precautions: (e.g, tides & currents, launch site issues). Watch for N. wind around the mouth of Holmes Harbor.
Go in the direction of current for a push at the end.
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.