Paddling & Beach Time at Kayak Point near Stanwood, Washington

Looking for more fun things to do near Kayak Point?
Head to Camano Island and check out Barnum Point Preserve and English Boom Trail Park. To make the most of your time, camp overnight at Kayak Point Campground.

SWIM

The water at Kayak Point is surprisingly warm compared with many other beaches on Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Please note, however, that warm compared with elsewhere on the Salish Sea doesn’t exactly mean warm, just not quite so frigid. On a hot day, this is a pleasant place to swim. Keep in mind this is salt water, and be on the lookout for jellies. The sea floor is rocky, so water shoes or sandals are recommended.

As always, keep a close watch on children and stay in the shallow areas near shore unless you are a strong swimmer. The water of Port Susan (the name of the bay between Kayak Point and Camano Island) is generally calm, but can get choppy. The natural push and pull of the tide can also make swimming back to shore more challenging.

PADDLE

The typically calm water of Port Susan is a good option for those looking for a low-key place to give open-water kayaking a try. The currents and tides are relatively gentle, but pay attention to the wind and weather as always. I recommend heading out into the wind or against the current, as this will make the return trip much easier. It’s also easy to travel further than you intended if you paddle out with the current, making the trip back home a real workout.

There is relatively little boat traffic in Port Susan, probably because the north end is effectively blocked from the rest of the Salish Sea by the shallow marshlands that separate Camano Island from the mainland. This is great boon for paddlers. We stayed fairly close to shore on our short trek, but more adventurous paddlers may want to head across the channel to Camano Island. On either side of Port Susan, public beaches offer plenty of options to pull ashore and explore.

GOOD TO KNOW

• The Kayak Point County Park day use area will be closed beginning July 5th, 2023, through December 31st, 2023 for renovations. The campground will still be open, but the beach will not be accessible during that time. Find more information about the renovation project on the Snohomish County website.
• There is a day use fee of $10 per vehicle to visit Kayak Point. You can pay at the park entrance station. Campers staying overnight at Kayak Point receive a parking pass at no extra charge.
• Restrooms are located at the day use area near he playground.
• Yes, there is a playground at Kayak Point. I’m not sure if it will remain after the renovations, however.
• Numerous picnic tables line the beach. There are also fire pits for marshmallow roasts. Check to see if firewood is for sale at the park entrance.
• The beach at Kayak Point is a great spot to hang a hammock. Again, I’m not sure if this will change after the renovations are completed.
• Pets on leash are allowed.
• Kayak Point is also home to a beautiful campground. Check the Snohomish County website for more information and to make reservations.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kayak Point is the perfect place to spend a laid-back day on the Salish Sea. There’s a playground, plenty of places to picnic or hang out in the hammock, and, of course, the chance to paddle or swim. It’s a quick escape from Seattle, and makes a fantastic weekend camping getaway, too.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

We paddled with two tween-aged boys, both of whom were eager to get out on the water for an hour or so. It was a quick trip from Kayak Point to a rocky beach about a mile further south. As with hiking, we find that having a destination is a great motivator for kids when going out in the kayaks.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

We spent a three-day weekend camping at Kayak Point. The forested campground is a short drive from Seattle (traffic permitting), but feels worlds away from the hustle of the city.

North of Kayak Point, the town of Stanwood is the place to get groceries (did you forget the marshmallows?) and head across the bridge to Camano Island. A couple of short trails on the north end of Camano to try include Barnum Point Preserve and English Boom Trail County Park. Bonus for dog-lovers: English Boom is an official off-leash park.

While on Camano Island, try lunch at Tapped Camano, a local brew pub, or The Baked Cafe, located right next door.

A Memorial Day camping trip to Kayak Point is the perfect place to enjoy those Salish Sea vibes without leaving the city far behind. On Saturday morning, we headed down to the beach, picnic supplies and hammocks in tow, and laid claim to a beachfront picnic table. As morning eased into afternoon, the clouds began to clear, and we enjoyed a fine lunch on the shore.

Of course, we also brought the inflatable kayaks. Who could resist the chance to paddle on such a day? OK, so a couple of adults, one child, and the dog stayed behind. For some, the call of the hammock is stronger than the call of the sea.

The parking lot at Kayak Point is no more than a few hundred feet from the water’s edge, and the relatively warm water (by Salish Sea standards) of Port Susan made this an easy place to launch. With three people in each boat, we were soon on our way.

After rounding the pier at Kayak Point, we turned south, heading into the current. Gentle waves lapped at our sides, but the paddling was easy. I was a bit surprised not to see more boats out considering the beautiful weather, but found out later that’s largely because there is no easy passage from Port Susan to the north. It’s essentially a quiet bay tucked away from the major shipping lanes of Puget Sound.

Beachfront houses lined the shore once we passed the border of Kayak Point County Park. Beyond the houses, I spied a long, sweeping beach. This, I decided, would be the ideal spot to land. Just past the last cabin at the end of the road, we pulled the kayaks ashore.

Behind the rocky beach, a dense forest lined the banks fronted by massive driftwood logs. We headed for a nearby log, figuring it would make an ideal bench. Apparently we weren’t the only ones who thought so, as I spied a garter snake sunning itself on the bleached wood. Quick as a wink, it slithered out of sight under the log as soon as it sensed our approach.

The boys went to check the shore for crabs while the adults lounged by the log. It wasn’t long before the kids were asking to return to Kayak Point, so we loaded back into the kayaks for the return trip.

The trip back couldn’t have been easier. Traveling with the current, we reached Kayak Point within 15 minutes. The sun beamed down brightly as we carried the boats ashore and toweled them down before packing them up for the day. No doubt about it, summer in the Pacific Northwest was off to a great start.