Kayaking Around The Islands

Ed Young, kayak guide and owner of Whidbey Island Kayaking Co., launches clients from Possession Point Park on Whidbey Island. © 2008 Russell Sparkman

Some adventurer want wilderness when they arrive to Whidbey or Camano islands. Ask Ed Young of Whidbey Island Kayaking Co., and he'll tell you that Island County's wilderness begins at only 20 feet off shore. Once you're in a kayak, you've got a pass to experience our islands and their wildlife in a way most people do not. Start planning your 2010 visit now.

The Whidbey Island Kayaking Company is a kayaking tour company based on beautiful Whidbey Island, Washington
For Information and Reservations

360-661-5183 Website

Kayakers discover gray and orca whales, sea lions and seals, eagles and osprey, crabs, starfish and herons, porpoises and herons; just to name a few animals that tend to find a kayak less intimidating than a power boat. Traveling in silence is a great way to get up close and personal with the wildlife that resides in, plays in and travels through the waters in Island County.

"It really doesn't matter how deep the water is when you're in a kayak," Young said. "We get into places where no one else can get; no boats, hikers. I've had huge dungeness crabs sitting only inches below our boats."

Seals and sea lions, as shy as they are, are also really curious. They've been known to swim behind the kayaks for hours on end.

A paddler on a Whidbey Island Kayaking tour gets a close encounter with a Grey Whale off the bluffs of Langley. Gray Whales pass through Saratoga Passage every spring. © Ed Young

"They just love to see what we're up to," he said. "One of our best experiences was with a 45-foot gray whale that swam around our boats, disappeared for a few minutes, then shot up like a periscope to 'spy hop' on us."

That was one big whale and one big eye on the kayak party.

Kayaking here spans the generations. Young and old can kayak with the help of a tour company.

"We love to have kids out on the tours," Young said. "Just watching them take a bite of kelp is great fun. They are always surprised at the crunchy texture."

Young heads to places like Possession Point, Useless Bay, Saratoga Passage and Holmes Harbor. Although kayakers can navigate open water in kayaks, sticking to waters closer to shore is better for wildlife viewing and safety.

Kayaking around Whidbey is a family affair, as demonstrated by the Shapiro family from England, who enjoyed kayaking for the first time. © 2008 Russell Sparkman

With waters hovering at 52 degrees Fahrenheit, having kayaking experience or traveling with a tour operator is suggested. Tides, currents and weather all play a factor in getting around Whidbey and Camano islands.

"Kayaking around Island County isn't just an easy paddle," Young said. "You have to be aware of the risks and manage them."

Whidbey and Camano are on the Cascadia Marine Trail, a 150-mile water trail from Olympia to Point Roberts designated as one of only 15 National Millennium Trails by the White House. There are 50 campsites to visit along the way, with seven in Island County.

Large Whidbey & Camano Islands Map - 262.9KB This is the large green and white map with streets.

Click here for an online downloadable map of boat launches and marinas:

Island County Boat Launches & Marinas - 7.1MB Large map of Whidbey & Camano Islands boat launches, marinas & trails.

News: Be sure to stop at the Port of South Whidbey - Langley Marina. On New Years Day 2009, The Port of South Whidbey has taken over the marina located in the City of Langley on South Whidbey Island. The Saratoga Passage location make a great stop for boats seeking protected passage between Central and South Puget Sound and North Puget Sound (Oak Harbor, La Conner, Anacortes, Bellingham and the San Juan Islands). The City of Langley offers galleries, antiques, boutiques, restraints, gourmet chocolate and a specialty florist shop. During the evening the local movie house offers current movies at only $6 for Adults!

The 34 slip marina will be getting a facelift this year as the port district goes through the process of permits, planning and funding a future expansion of the marina. For moorage information contact the Harbormaster (VHF 66A) Office contact Tel: (360) 221-1120 or email: Harbormaster - Marina offers transient moorage, electric, water, showers, lauch ramp and pump out.

Seeking tidal charts? Simply select a location listed under Possession Sound. Saratoga Strait, or Rosario Strait and the month you are interested in visiting. Learn more.

• Langley's municipal marina Boaters! Book your mooring reservation NOW for the Island County Fair – August 13-16th. Join us for the 85th Island County Fair! Just a short walk from the marina, Fun for the whole family
  Come enjoy the community celebration of Whidbey Island's rich arts heritage. The picturesque streets of downtown Langley are lined with artists. The air is filled with the sounds from four separate stages, each with its own flavor.
  
• To make reservations for the Langley Marina:
  1. email: Harbormaster@portofsouthwhidbey.com with date of arrival, length of stay, Boat name, LOA, Beam and Draft. Include contact your information. or
  2. Contact the Harbormaster at 360 221-1120 always has plenty of moorage for visitors. Contact the Harbormaster (360) 221-2611 or (360) 929-6751 or email him at harbor@langleywa.org for information
• In Coupeville, you can access the town from the dock all day, and anchoring in Penn Cove overnight will offer a truly serene sleep. For more information regarding moorage at Coupeville wharf call (360) 678-5020.
• Oak Harbor's marina has visitor moorage, gas and charters. At Cornet Bay, located on the north end of Whidbey Island, you'll enjoy breathtaking views and gas and goods are available. http://www.whidbey.com/ohmarina/ or call (360) 679-BOAT or (360) 679-2628.
• Camano Island State Park has a floating dock for landing.Camano Island State Park
  2269 S. Lowell Point Rd.
  Camano Island, WA 98282 - (360) 387-3031
  Latitude 48D 7' 39.37" N (48.1276)
  Longitude 122D 29' 57.12" W (-122.4992)
  Body of Water Puget Sound
  Hours Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  Winter: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  The park is open year-round for camping and day-use.
  
• Camano Island Yacht Club
  Clubhouse Telephone: (360) 387-3737
  Email: camanoislandyachtclub.com
  Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1041, Stanwood, WA 98282
  Club Location: 129 North Sunset Drive, Camano Island, WA 98282

• Adventures in Boating Washington: This handbook is published by Boat Ed, the provider of Washington's boating safety course. Although this handbook is a convenient reference tool, students wanting to receive official Washington boating safety certification would benefit from studying Boat Ed's comprehensive boat safety course. All boating safety course material has been developed in conjunction with Washington Parks & Recreation, and is the same material used in their classroom courses. Take the Washington boating safety course.

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Whidbey and Camano Islands are only 25 miles north of Seattle, and 2 hours south of Vancouver. See Directions and Maps to learn more about how to get here.