Port Ludlow to Mats Mats Bay

Tanquil Mats Mats Bay

Rating: SKII+                                                    

Distance: 10 KM

Date: June 27, 1998

Leader: Kel Hinds                               Participants: 10

Launch: 09:30                                     Return: 2:45

Weather: Cloudy becoming clear, ~70F, light breezes.

Description: Launched at Port Ludlow and explored the bay for awhile. Paddling north from Port Ludlow along the shoreline we passed Colvos Rocks, investigated a couple of tiny, sheltered bays and then entered Mats Mats Bay through its narrow entrance. The bay is a really pretty place to paddle around. The park at the back end of the bay where we intended to have lunch was a vast mud flat. We wound up having lunch on a beach next to the quarry operation. After leaving Mats Mats we paddled around Colvos Rocks. One of the rock islands had a couple of hundred seals on it – we didn’t approach. The back into Port Ludlow and we explored the two islands at the back end of the Bay. A really nice trip and well worth repeating.

Tides/Currents: The entrance to Mats Mats Bay is very narrow. We rode the tide in on the south side of the stream. We left Mats Mats when the tide had changed and rode the current out on the north side of the channel.

Charts:

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

Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Notes:

1. As usual there’s lots of wildlife on this trip. Seals, herrons, ducks, you name it.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes (62 miles) to the launch site. Take Hwy 16 to Bremerton and get on Hwy 3 to the Hood Canal Bridge. A short distance past the Hood Canal Bridge take the Port Ludlow (Hwy 19) turn to the right. Another few miles turn right at the Port Ludlow sign. Stay on this road (thru the 4-way stop) for about 2 miles. You’ll see the Herron Beach Marina on your right – head down to the traffic circle, go around the circle and take the street that passes under the hotel. This leads into a parking area. Go left out of the parking area and go about 50 yards to the launch site on your right.

Facilities:

1. Port Ludlow has full facilities.
2. The launch site at Port Ludlow has a port-o-let. But no water.
3. There’s a hotel adjacent to the launch site and the Herron Point Marina has a restaurant – possible "bunch" situation?

Sample Magazine Submittal: Port Ludlow to Mats Mats Bay (SKII+). 10NM RT. Explore 2 sheltered Bays, rocky shorelines, and offshore rock formations – all on a trip of only 10 NM.

References:

Washburne, Randel. Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands. Seattle: The Mountaineers. 1996. pp. 193-196.