Holmes Harbor (Whidbey Island)  


Baby Island at the mouth of Holmes Harbor

Rating: SKII

Distance: 13NM

Date:      May 16, 1999
              Oct 18, 2002

Leader: Pete Schwab                Participants: 5

Launch: 09:15                             Return: 3:30

Weather: Overcast, ~55F, no wind, no waves.

Description: Launched at Freeland County Park and rode the ebb up the east side of the harbor up to the east side of Baby Island. Due to the –2.5’ tide, Baby Island had become Baby Peninsula. Along the way we saw a really huge eagle standing in the shallows. It took flight at our approach and displayed it’s immense wing span. We made the 1.5 NM crossing to Greenbank on the northwest side of the harbor and ate lunch on the beach. After lunch we got a good boost from the flood going back to Freeland.

Update 2002.  Baby Island was well worth the visit.  Loaded with seals and bird life.

Tides/Currents: There is no current station for this harbor. Nevertheless, even the 14’ tidal exchange only gave us a small boost out on the ebb – the flood gave us a good boost on the way back in.

Charts:

Waterproof Chart #30 – Puget Sound – International Sailing Supply.
Puget Sound Current Guide – Island Canoe, Inc.

Notes:

  1. There are lots of beaches and places to stop for breaks and lunch. Private or not, it’s mostly high bluffs and no houses near the water.
  2. A really nice trip worth repeating. There was no boat traffic on our tour.

Directions to Launch Site: From I5 @ Hwy 16 it takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes (71.5 miles) to the launch site (about 1 hour and 10 minutes to the ferry). Follow I5 to well north of Seattle (but south of Everett) and turn off at Exit 189 which is highway 526 west. Just follow the signs to the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry. When you get off the ferry follow Hwy 525 for 9.5 miles (Freeland) and turn right onto Main Street. Immediately turn left onto Myrtle and drive 0.5 miles down to Freeland County Park at the end of the street. The launch ramp will be right in front of you.

Facilities:

1.  Lots of parking and a bathroom at the Freeland County Park.

2.  Launch ramp at Freeland is excellent for low tide launch/land.

3.  There were no facilities after leaving Freeland.

Sample Magazine Submittal: Holmes Harbor (Whidbey Island) SKII. 13NM RT. We’ll ferry over to Clinton from Mukilteo and launch from Freeland County Park, then spend the day exploring Holms Harbor.

Ferries: The Mukilteo/Clinton ferry runs every 30 minutes (except 07:30). Best bet is the 0800 ferry. It’s a 20 minute crossing with a ten mile drive at the other side. Fees (as of 10-18-2002) are $5.50 for a vehicle and $3.10 extra passenger ($8.60 from Mukilteo to Clinton). However, Clinton to Mukilteo doesn’t charge for the passenger so it’s only $5.50.

References:

Scott, James W., and Melly A. Reuling. Washington Public Shore Guide. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 1986. pp. 136-137.