Eagle Harbor to Bremerton

Rating: SKIII

Distance: 12 NM

Date: April 30, 2000

Leader: Pete Schwab                            Participants: 7

Launch: 07:50 Ferry                             Return: 2:30 Ferry

Weather: Hazy to clear, light breezes, ~60F, wind waves to 1 foot (plus ferry wakes).

Description: A really cool classic Pacific Northwest trip! We met at the Coleman dock in Seattle and rode the ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Getting off the ferry we pulled our boats up the left side of the exit ramp until we came to the first little paved trail through the woods. After crossing a bridge we turned left on a dirt trail and came to the beach. The boats had to be manhandled over a six foot rock wall to get down to the beach but the procedure was simple and safe. The beach is in a small cove behind the marina. You couldn’t ask for a much better place to launch. Paddling out of Eagle Harbor, we headed south against the remains of the ebb, towards Rich Passage. The seas were pleasant and even allowed for photo opportunities (even in a Nordkapp!). The sound of sea lions pierced the air regularly and we saw quite a few of the beasts.   We stopped for lunch at Manchester State Park on the south side of Rich Passage. Picnic tables in the sun. A nice rest. After lunch we headed back into Sinclair Inlet. The occasional ferry wake allowed a little surfing but aside from that seas were flat and pleasant.

Tides/Currents

  1. Be sure you know the currents in Rich Passage and plan accordingly.
  2. South or southwest winds can make the stretch across the south end of Bainbridge Island (north of Hope Island) pretty wicked. Watch that weather report!

Charts:

Waterproof Chart #30 – Puget Sound – International Sailing Suppply.

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Chart #18441 – Puget Sound – Northern Part.

Chart #18445 – Puget Sound – Possession Sound to Olympia, Pages A, page B, Inset 5.

Chart #18448 – Puget Sound – Southern Part.

Chart #18449 – Puget Sound – Seattle to Bremerton.

Directions to Launch Site: From I-5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 40 minutes (~33 miles) to get to the Bainbridge Ferry dock (Coleman Dock) in Seattle. Take I-5 north until you get to Exit 164 and follow the signs to the Ferries. The ferry you want berths at the Coleman Dock which is at the corner of Alaskan Way and Columbia. Note: Parking is free on Sundays. On Saturdays you’ll have to use private parking facilities which will cost about $10.

Directions for the Bremerton Landing Site: Due to construction, there is no longer a public landing site in Bremerton, near the Ferry. The only landing spot is at the Bremerton Marina (Private). The marina is located right next to the ferry dock on the east side. To get permission to land here call: Jennifer or Anthony at the Bremerton Marina: (360)-373-1035. She will call the Harbormaster to confirm. The gate is locked – you press "Exit" to unlock the gate. It will also display a code that will get you into the marina bathrooms just across the plaza. NOTE: If you want to launch at Bremerton, you’ll have to work something out with the marina folks since you’ll need a code to enter the dock area. Someone will have to be there to let you in.

            After landing just pull your boats up the hill to the first street and turn left. The total distance to the ferry dock from the marina is about 300 meters. OR- the ferry people may let you just pull the boats along the walkway from the marina, under the building. This leads directly to the ferry loading area. Then you walk up the hill to pay for the ride.

Facilities:

  1. Parking to catch the ferry in Seattle. On Saturdays or weekdays you’ll have to park in any of the lots along Western Ave (1 block east of Alaskan Way). There’s a lot at the corner of Columbia and Alaskan (actually on Columbia). They charge $10.00 for all day parking. On Sundays the metered parking under the highway along Alaskan Way is FREE!
  2. There are bathrooms at the Coleman Dock and on the ferries as well.
  3. Manchester State Park is a good lunch stop. Bathrooms, picnic tables, and a good landing area.
  4. In Bremerton there are private bathrooms with showers belonging to the Marina. There are also public bathrooms at the same facility.

Ferry Fees: As of this writing the fee is $3.70 (passenger) and $2.80 (kayak) or $6.50 from Seattle to Bainbridge. From Bremerton to Seattle they charged us $2.90 each.

Washington State Ferries Website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

Sample Magazine Submittal:
Eagle Harbor to Bremerton (SKIII). 12NM. One of the coolest one-way trips in the central sound. We’ll ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge, then paddle through Eagle Harbor and south into Rich Passage. In Sinclair Inlet we’ll explore the shore to it’s westernmost extremity and wind up at the Bremerton ferry for the return.

References:

Bailey, Jo, and Carl Nyberg. Gunkholing in South Puget Sound. Seattle: San Juan Enterprises, Inc. 1997. Pp. 104-108, 133-137.

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 192-197.

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 67-70.