Dana Passage and Henderson Inlet

Description: We are going to paddle from Boston Harbor Marina to Henderson Inlet, with 2.4 knots ebb current through Dana Passage, paddle-explore around the inlet and its bays, and paddle back to Boston Harbor Marina on a mild flood current.

Rob Casey, in the "Kayaking Puget Sound" guidebook, describes Henderson Inlet and Woodard Bay as "a serene place to paddle", "a reclaimed gem ... Natural Resources Conservation Area", and "a prime wildlife viewing destination".

Sign-up Requirements:

This is a 14 nautical mile paddle that may be subject to wind waves and current effects in Dana Passage.

To sign up for this paddle, you need to be an advanced novice, intermediate or advanced paddler, you must have bracing, re-entry, and rescue training, skills and practice, and you must be able to paddle at a sustained 3 knots pace. The required kayaking experience and skills need to be documented in your meetup-profile information and your answers to the sign-up questions.

Schedule and Itinerary:

9:15 a.m. - meet at Boston Harbor Marina.

10:00 a.m - launch and paddle 4 n.m. to Henderson Inlet, with 2.4 knots ebb current.

~ 11:00 am - paddle into Henderson Inlet and paddle approx. 4 n.m. exploring the inlet and its bays.

~ 1:00 p.m. - lunch at the Woodard Bay area.

~ 2:00 p.m. - launch for the return, paddle 2 n.m. back to Dana Passage, paddle 4 n.m. back to Boston Harbor Marina, with a mild flood current.

~ 4:30 p.m. - arrive back at Boston Harbor Marina.

Carpooling and Details

Carpooling is encouraged. After there is some sign-up, sign-up-ees can arrange carpooling amongst themselves.

A Discovery Pass is required to park at Boston Harbor Marina.

Conditions and Contingency:

This paddle is contingent upon reasonably safe wind and weather conditions. If the predicted weather conditions are unsafe for this paddle, the paddle will be revised to a protected paddle.

Equipment Requirements:

Kayak, paddle, pfd, paddlefloat, pump, sprayskirt, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks, lunch, VHF radio if you have one, immersion gear.

Immersion Gear:

Wearing immersion gear (drysuit or wetsuit) is mandatory for this paddle.