Potential Paddling Day Trips
Bellingham Area
Ed Alm
February 25, 2025
Lummi DNR Camp – 12 nm RT (round trip)
Launch at Gooseberry Point, Paddle to The WAKE maintained DNR campsite near the southern end of Lummi Island. Add on an excursion to Carter Point and/or Vendovi Island or circumnavigate Eliza Island. Current and Tides interact in Hale passage at times to make it rough.
Tour Bellingham Bay
Launch – several opportunities, Squalicum Beach, Squalicum Harbor, Cornwall Beach, Boulevard Park and Fairhaven Boat Launch are all possibilities. No current or tidal issues.
Birch Point – 8 nm RT
Launch – Northeast end of Semiahmoo spit. Paddle west to Birch Point or on to Birch Bay. Only current or tide issue would be at the launch point.
Point Whitehorn – 6 nm RT
Launch at Birch Bay State Park Boat Ramp. Paddle west to Point Whitehorn and on to BP refinery pier. County Park Beach is nice stop along way. Be aware that refinery piers have minimum allowable approach distances. If you go north into Birch Bay tide level is a major consideration.
Chuckanut Island from Marine Park – 6 nm RT
Launch at Marine Park in Fairhaven. Alternate launch is Fairhaven Boat Ramp at the Community Boating center in Fairhaven. Paddle south along Post Point and on into Chuckanut Bay. Explore Chuckanut Bay and stop on Chuckanut Island or Teddy Bear Cove for a break. No major current or tidal issues.
Wildcat Cove South - 7 nm RT
Launch at Wildcat Cove in Larrabee State Park and paddle south along rocky bluffs. Wildcat Cove requires a Discover Pass. Stop at oyster farm for treats. Watch tides, most landing spots are mud flats.
Wildcat Cove North – 4 nm RT
Launch at Wildcat Cove in Larrabee State Park and paddle north into Chuckanut Bay. The south end of Chuckanut Bay is particularly interesting.
South End of Lake Whatcom – 9 nm RT
Launch at the fire hall on south end of Lake Whatcom. Alternate launch site is near north shore trailhead next to beach. Paddle around shore up to Reveille Island and/or East shore. Can be pretty rough in certain wind conditions.
Lake Shannon – up to 11 nm RT
Launch at boat launch on south end of Lake Shannon (near Concrete WA). Launch site has been improved with picnic and restroom facilities. Paddle north on long thin totally undeveloped wilderness lake. Very interesting shoreline. 5-6 miles, one way, to toe of Baker Lake dam. Go as far as you want. Be aware that lake level varies dramatically throughout the year.
Baker Lake – 5 nm RT
Launch at campground boat launch near Baker Lake Dam. Paddle up lake as far as you want. About half way up lake is nice campground on East shore with fantastic view of Mt. Baker. Since this is a reservoir lake level will influence how pretty the shoreline is. There are many other potential launch sites along the West and North shore of the lake.
Saddlebag Island – 5 nm RT
Launch at Cap Sante in Anacortes. Paddle over to Saddlebag Island for lunch. Explore Hat and Huckleberry islands as additions. Ship and boat traffic in Guemes Channel is something to be aware of. No unusual tide or current issues outside of Guemes Channel.
Burrows and Allan Islands – 8 nm RT
Launch at Washington Park paddle south around Fidalgo Head and circumnavigate Burrows and Allan Island. Stop at Lighthouse on Burrows Is. for lunch. Alternate launch at Cabana Street near Flounder Bay Marina, makes for shorter more protected paddle. Currents around the islands and Fidalgo Head need to be respected.
Vendovi Island – 10 nm RT
Launch at Young’s Park on North end of Guemes Island. Usually adequate day parking there. Paddle across to Vendovi, 2.5 nm. Land on the beach in the small harbor and check in with Caretaker. Spend some time hiking the trails. Vendovi is owned by the San Juan Preservation Trust and is open to visitors, day use only, Vendovi Island Preserve is open for public visitation each year from April 1 through September 30. During this seasonal period, the preserve is open to visitors Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. The preserve is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check online for latest visiting guidelines.
Bowman Bay to Biz Point – 5 nm RT
Launch at Bowman Bay paddle north to Biz Point. Very rocky interesting shoreline with sea caves. Add Burrows and Allen Island for more distance. Add Deception Island for more distance. Currents near Deception Island can be strong.
East of Deception Pass – 10 nm RT
Launch at Coronet Bay visit Hoypus Point, Hope Island, Skagit Island and Similk Bay. See interesting derelict sailboat in Similk Bay. Currents around Hope Island can be strong. Alternate Launch site for same trip is Ala Spit (Ben Ure Spit) or Sneeoosh Beach.
Goat Island – 4 nm RT
Launch under Rainbow Bridge in La Conner. Paddle south on Swinomish Channel to Goat Island. Goat Island has large old WWI gun emplacement (Fort Whitman). Land on beach near old pier and short hike up a trail. The Swinomish Channel is a little difficult to predict currents so it can be a slog between LaConner and Hole-in-the-Wall. After that, as long as you stay in the channel, tides and currents aren't a problem. This is a very protected paddle. Outside the channel are huge mud flats that are fun to explore but plan accordingly. Visit “The Fish Hole” in the jetty along the way.
Circumnavigate Guemes Island – 13 nm RT
Launch at Cap Sante or the Guemes ferry landing in Anacortes. Paddle around Guemes Island. Lunch at county park on north end of island. Currents in Guemes Channel and Bellingham Channel can be a challenge. Also boat traffic crossing Guemes channel needs to be respected.
Circumnavigate Portage Island – 9 nm RT
Launch at Gooseberry Point. Paddle around Portage Island. Careful planning required to hit tide right (4.2 ft min tide height for kayak) to get over land bridge to Portage Island. Also lots of mud flats in Portage Bay.
This document was written by Ed Alm, if you have any comments, additions or corrections please contact me through www.wakekayak.org. Feel free to copy and share with others. It is not okay to charge for sharing this document.