Makah Bay Surf, Rocks and Swells

Rating: SKIV-V                                                                       

Distance:  Variable

Date:  September 2-4, 2000

Leader:  Jurgen Herweg                       Participants:  8

Launch:   When you get up.         

Return:  When you get tired

Weather:  Beautiful weather.  Light breezes and ~65-70F, mostly clear.

Description: There are a number of variations available from either Makah Bay or Neah Bay.  Most require skill in surf, on swells, and in and around rocks.  Of course if the weather is exceptionally foul you can always opt to play in the protected waters of Neah Bay.
1.  Makah Bay to Neah Bay.  An exceptionally beautiful trip that includes cliffs, boomers, caves, and swells.  If you're not highly skilled you probably won't want to do this trip unless the weather is really nice!  Check your marine forecast and understand the swell height and wind waves. The trip runs around 12 NM but with all there is to see it's an all day trip.  A car shuttle between Makah and Neah Bays is only about 3 miles.

2.  Surfing in Makah Bay.  Makah Bay can provide excellent surf.  Most of the north end of the beach is rock free.  As you head south landing areas become rocky and sometimes downright inhospitable.  Usually the lightest surf is at the north where the Waatch River enters the bay.  It's the area directly in front of the housing.

3.  Shi Shi Beach.  Shi Shi lies to the south of Makah Bay.  I've not done this trip but am assured it has all the excitement of sea stacks, boomers and etc.  Again, you'll want to do this one in great weather and have the skills required for beach launching and landing, know how to handle the swells, and check that forecast!

Tides/Currents: 
1.  There is one current station located at the west entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Needless to say, it's located out in the middle of the Strait.

2.  Tide data is available for Makah and Neah Bays, it is essentially the same.

Charts:

Chart #18485 - Cape Flattery
San Juan Current Guide (Including the Gulf Islands and Strait of Juan de Fuca) Page 1.

Notes:

1.  If you have some spare time visit the Makah Museum in Neah Bay or take the 6 mile road trip (from Bay's Best Lodging) to the trail head at Cape Flattery.  The trail is only about a 1/2 mile.

Directions to Launch Site: From I-5 at Highway 16 it’s 178 miles (~3 hours/45 minutes) to Neah Bay. Take highway 16 to highway 3 (at Bremerton), then take hwy 3 until you reach 104. Take 104 over to the Olympic Peninsula where you’ll get on Hwy 101. Take Hwy 101 to Port Angeles and follow it through town.  When 101 turns left (towards Forks) follow it out of Port Angeles and a couple of miles down the road you'll come to the Hwy 112 turn to the right which is well marked for Neah Bay.  It's only 60 miles to Neah Bay from the turn but it's two lane, and kinda slow.
    To get to the lodging from Neah Bay.  You'll want to follow the double yellow line on the road (street markings aren't reliable).  As you get to the west end of town just follow the double yellow as it turns left, goes a couple of blocks, and then turns right.  A block later you'll be faced with a choice (one road goes off to the right and up a hill).  Just go to the left following the double yellow line.  You'll pass the bridge crossing an estuary.  Just past the bridge you'll see the Makah Tribal Center on your right.  Just turn in, go to the end of the street, turn left, and it's the last building on your right. 
    If you're going to stop and pick up keys to the lodging, you'll find, as you follow the double yellow, a clinic on your right.  Just turn left and go a block to the Public Safety (Police) station on your right.  Just go in and talk to the lady at the desk.

Facilities:  We stayed at the Makah facility (the old Air Force base) located on the peninsula between Neah Bay and Makah Bay.  Rates are the best! $16.25 per night per person.  There's a community kitchen and a nice meeting area for a group to sit around and tell stories about those huge waves they've been riding.  To contact these folks and make reservation:  Write or call:  Bay's Best Lodging, c/o Makah Tribal Council, P.O. Box 115, Neah Bay, WA 98357, or call, (360)645-2201 OR (360) 645-3325.  Make your checks payable to MTC - Bay's Best Lodging.

Sample Magazine Submittal:  Makah Bay Surf, Rocks, and Swells (SKIV-V).  NM to be determined but probably not over 10.  We'll spend the weekend kayaking out of the Makah lodgings at Neah Bay.  As the weather determines we may travel into the swells, rocks, and caves around Cape Flattery, surf in Makah Bay, or maybe even take a trip to Shi Shi Beach. In the event of dangerous weather we'll probably move the festivities over to Neah Bay.

References: 

Mueller, Marge and Ted. North Puget Sound – Afoot and Afloat. Seattle: The             Mountaineers. 1995. pp. 235-240.