This information is designed to provide basic information to help you in choosing appropriate paddle trips for your level of experience. The information may be old and outdated and I would encourage you to use several resources when a trip in unfamiliar areas. As always you are responsible for the safe operation and navigation of your own vessel. Happy Paddling!
Blake Island State Park is a 475-acre marine camping park with five miles of saltwater beach shoreline providing magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. The park is only reachable by tour boat or private boat. Indian-style salmon dinners and demonstrations of Northwest Indian dancing are offered at Tillicum Village, a seasonal concession on the island.
The camp ground has 44 standard sites, two primitive sites, three WWTA sites, one marine dump station, four restrooms (one ADA) and one shower area.
Three Cascadia Marine Trail sites are located on the west end of the island. These sites are for use by canoers and kayakers only. The primitive sites are available on the south side. All campsites are first come, first served.
SKILL LEVEL:
Newcomers
As a newcomer you have had little to no instruction on how to wet exit and get back in your boat or prevent capsizes effectively. You should only paddle in protected waters near shore and with a friend that can show you the basics. Only attempt
short crossings when accompanied and only launch when you know that the weather is good and not going to change. Avoid any tidal current. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place to discover by paddling but there are hidden dangers that you can
avoid with a little bit of knowledge and skills.
To increase your knowledge and skills, find clubs and schools by visiting my Resources Page.
Transitional Paddlers
As a transitional paddler you have been shown and are proficient at wet exiting and self rescues in deepwater. You should have a solid brace to keep yourself upright, you may even be working on getting a reliable roll in the pool or on flat waters. You know the basic paddle strokes and are able to maneuver your boat proficiently on flat water with little wind. You should be able to paddle up to 8 miles in a protected inland environment over the course of a day.
As a developing paddler you should be a self-sufficient paddler that has some formal training, can assess hazards confidently and are comfortable in moderate conditions. You should be comfortable paddling in winds up to 15 knots and waves/swell up to 3 feet, as well as be able to self-rescue effectively in these conditions. A developing paddler can maintain an effective course in wind and waves, as well as be able to roll their kayak in open water. You should be proficient with deep water rescues and towing systems. As a developing paddler you should have an understanding of trip planning, navigation and equipment selection and be capable of paddling 15 NM over the course of a day.
As a progressive paddler you are used to paddling with competent peers in more bumpy ocean settings and are confident in winds up to 20 knots with swells up to 6 feet, you look for more challenging sessions. A progressive paddler will have a well-rounded sea kayaking background and be able to perform all the fundamental skills in moderate to rough water. You should have a reliable roll in open dynamic water, be able to paddle 15 to 20 NM over the course of a day. At this level, paddlers should possess good seamanship skills such as environmental/weather and sea state awareness, tidal and trip planning, on-water navigation and be knowledgeable about emergency procedures and rough water rescues.
There are low to moderate currents surrounding Blake Island. Take care to time your trip during slack tides. The crossing from Alki should only be attempted in a group and timed at or near slack. This crossing also involves crossing commercial shipping lanes. Beware those large cargo ships can be travelling at 20 kts and have a blind spot extending up to 1nm in front of them, always wait and cross behind them.
