Kayaking and Canoeing

Marcus and Pamela Shapiro, visiting from England, enjoying the adventure of kayaking for the first time. © 2008 Russell Sparkman

It's not uncommon to see locals and visitors driving around with a kayak or canoe on top of their car. It's a year-round sport. Whidbey Island is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail, a 150-mile water trail from Olympia to Point Roberts, Washington. It's part of the Washington Water Trails Association. A fun, 5.7 mile loop to kayak is to paddle from Camano Island State Park to Baby Island, located off Whidbey Island's Rocky Point, just north of Holmes Harbor. Beginning kayakers may want to stay on the east side of Whidbey, while the more experienced can venture out to the west side where strong winds and tides come up the Strait of Juan de Fuca into Admiralty Inlet. Kayak rentals are available on both islands, which offer miles of sheltered coastline.

The Whidbey Island Kayaking Company is a kayaking tour company based on beautiful Whidbey Island, Washington. Sea kayaking is the quintessential Northwest adventure. Seeing Whidbey Island from the water is a unique perspective not available by any other means. Never kayaked? No problem, our tours are tailored to the first time kayaker. No previous experience is necessary. Paddling is fun, safe and easy to learn. Our trained guides provide a safe and enjoyable experience approximately two hours long in the protected bays and waters around South Whidbey Island during good weather. One of our guides will meet you at one of five different locations. Launch locations are determined by tide and weather conditions, insuring the best conditions possible for any particular day. We supply kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. Bring water compatible shoes, sunglasses, windbreaker, sunscreen and a disposable camera. Smiles are mandatory.

The Whidbey Island Kayaking Company is a kayaking tour company based on beautiful Whidbey Island, Washington
For Information and Reservations
360-661-5183

Website

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.