Paddling Burrows Island by Anacortes, WA - Trip #29

Trip #29 is Burrows Island.  One of my favorite paddles in north Puget Sound.  I teach at Deception Pass so much I never have time to go elsewhere but Burrows allows me to do a quick trip after some classes to decompress.

Exploring the rugged shorelines of Burrows Island

From the Skyline Marina in Anacortes, the crossing to Burrows is about ten minutes, sometimes less. Currents do rip in Burrows Pass separates the island from Fidalgo Island (Anacortes).  Note that the flood goes east in Burrows Pass and is stronger than the ebb.  I've seen it rip with whitewater mostly on NE tip of the island.  There's big eddies to the west of the island, so if you get pushed around there's room for error.  Standing waves are possible as well off the point.  Watch out for fast speed boats heading to the marina many of which kick off big (waist high?) waves which get bigger in opposing current.

Once across, I tend to paddle along the east shore through thick kelp beds to Alice Bight.  The Cascadia Marine Trail has a great campsite in the Bight. Views of the island at this point looks like SE Alaska but looking east you see the developed neighborhoods of Anacortes.  The outhouse at the campsite is one of the more luxurious ones in the region, reminding me of the solar composting outhouses in BC.

Total circumnavigation of the island can take over an hour if you don't stop using the numerous eddies for protection from current of wind.  There's hiking on the island which has a great lighthouse on the west side.

This view from just north of Alice Bight. Park west of Skyline Marina along the road or in the pay dirt lot.

WA Park (top), Burrows (middle), Allan Island (bottom)

Tide Rip off Burrow's NE corner across from marina.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Paddling around Burrows Island - An Easy Getaway

A 5-10 minute paddle from the Skyline Marina in Anaocortes, Burrows Island is a somewhat obvious yet hidden getaway.  Skyline Marina is a huge facility yet undeveloped Burrows seems like it belongs in the Inside Passage or SE Alaska.  There is a lighthouse on the western side of the island and a trail which circumnavigates most of the island.  South of the island is Allan Island which is private.

On the eastern edge is Alice Bight, a small bay with a Cascadia Marine Trail campsite and rather comfortable outhouse.

Tidal currents rip around all sides of the island making it an fun circumnavigation.  I like to cross from Skyline Marina and play in the small standing waves on the island's NE corner.  Boat wakes collide with incoming current making for a few fun glides.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org

Paddling to Burrows Island from Anacortes, WA - Trip # 29

Alice Bight, location of the WWTA campsite.

Located a short distance off Fidalgo Island and city of Anacortes, Burrows offers a quick wilderness escape.  From Skyline Marina at Anacortes, the paddle is about 5 minutes to the undeveloped island. Many also appoach Burrows as a stopping off point when paddling between Anacortes and Deception Pass.

On the eastern shore, there's a Cascadia Marine Water Trail site with one of the best outhouses around. The campsite is perched 20 feet above the little protected cove well protected from southerly and northerly winds.  A lighthouse is on the western shore above the water on a rocky cliff. You can land there in the rocky nook on the north side of the lighthouse.

West side of island.

Currents at Burrows are quite strong and friends have spoken of a standing wave on the southern shore in certain conditions.  Private Allen Island borders Burrows on it's south side. Circumnavigating Burrows can take about 1.5hrs if you're in a hurry or longer, which recommended. The island's rocky shores and madrona and fir lined forests make it a very scenic paddle or stopover.

Make sure to check the current table for the area prior to launching.  Wind can funnel through both the north and south sides of the island. Wind vs current can create route conditions.

Street park is available by Skyline Marina and in the dirt pay lot by the water.

Washington Water Trails link to Burrows for more info, HERE.

Learn more about my book Kayaking Puget Sound and the San Juans, 60 Trips. I also offer SUP and Kayak lessons available throughout the year at Salmon Bay Paddle. Questions about paddling on the Salish Sea, give me a holler anytime at salmonbaypaddle@gmail.com or 206-465-7167

Support the Washington Water Trails Association and the Cascadia Marine Trail. The wwta works to create and protect access for paddlers on Puget Sound as well as provide an extensive network of over 60 paddle-in camping sites - www.wwta.org