Paddling Areas
Welcome! The pages linked below provide an overview of local knowledge on the key paddling areas for the symposium. This resource was created for Body Boat Blade by 3 Raccoons.
These pages cover five paddling areas across Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, each built around a launch (or pair of launches) with a variety of play and lunch spots.
Each area page includes launch logistics, tide and current predictions for May 1–3, a marine chart with numbered spots, and tables describing what you'll find at each one.
Bowman Bay
Deception Pass State Park on the Fidalgo side. Seven play spots (Bowman Bay, Deception Island, Lighthouse Point, Northwest Island, Reservation Head, Rosario Head, Urchin Rocks) and seven lunch spots.
Deception Pass
Cornet Bay launch inside the state park. Direct access to Deception Pass (4.7+ kt midday flood), Boat Pass, Canoe Pass, and Strawberry Island. Three conditions tables (tide + 2 currents).
Ala Spit
Small county park at the NE corner of Whidbey. Protected launch on the west side of the spit. Access to Hope Island, Skagit Island, Kiket Island, and Hoypus Point. Skagit Bay channel is ebb-dominant at midday.
Burrows-Allan
Washington Park at the tip of Fidalgo Head (3+ groups) and Cabana Lane Water Access (2 groups) — the only two-launch area. Burrows Pass and Allan Pass run 2.6–2.7 kt midday flood, gentler than Deception Pass. Burrows Island Lighthouse lunch.
Admiralty Inlet
Keystone Boat Launch at Fort Casey State Park. Big water, significant ferry traffic, most exposed of the five. Admiralty Inlet currents run 2.5–2.9 kt midday flood.
