Paddling the Current in Bremerton's Port Washington Narrows
A new trip in the book, this is a fun one with tidal current and Mt Rainier and Olympic Mountain views.
I hadn’t paid much attention to Bremerton for paddling until friends moved to Manette on the west side of town. Getting there includes crossing the Manette bridge over the Port Washington Narrows.
Being a fan of tidal current, seeing the water flowing below the bridge inspired me to paddle there.
Port Washington Narrows runs north of Sinclair Inlet in downtown Bremerton and opens up again into Dyes Inlet leading to Silverdale.
Pre-Contact
The Suquamish people lived there since time immemorial speaking the South Coast Salish or Salishan language. The book “Puget Sound Geography an original manuscript by TT Waterman” lists many important Suquamish features along the Narrows which was popular for fishing.
One that stands out to me is Xa’XE’3 or ‘forbidden’ for a rock in the water by the beach by Manette dock. If a person was grounded here in a boat on the ebb they would die unless they knew this song:
I will grow on this world, then it will become good. (The book displays the Suquamish language translation).
“Gunkholing in South Puget Sound” describes a cool feature I’ve seen throughout the Salish Sea. Rudy Point was also called ‘boiling promontory’ in that bubbles can be seen rising to the surface. At low tides spring water can be seen seeping out - a place where you can get good drinking water.
There’s also an interesting rock outcropping south of the point with a fun eddy to play in (see below photo).
Routes
Paddling the Narrows is a hoot. A few summers ago a bunch of us launched Bachmann Park on the Manette side of Sinclair Inlet and used a 4 knot flood to float down to Lyons Park which is about 3 miles. It was flowing so swift we got there quickly and wondered why we didn’t go further.
There’s several launches along the waterway allowing for creative paddling options. You can even time the current to launch and land at the same spot. Or use several of the back bays for a break in current or use the shore eddies to paddle up a ways, then turn around using the current to go back to your launch spot.
The Narrows has incredible views of the Olympic Mountains and a few glimpses of Mt Rainier. Underneath, due to the current and increased oxygen levels marine life is rich with anemones, sea stars and extensive eel grass seen at low tide by Lions Park.
Rarely do I see other paddlers in there. I’ve often been the only person on the water on summer weekdays. Maybe locals are concerned about the currents or the logistics of planning for the current or maybe they choose less current based places and local lakes.
Olympic Outdoor Center does run a fun summer event called Ride the Tide from the Tracyton boat ramp to Port Orchard, taking the ebb out. Quite a few folks show up for this trip. Next one is June 14, 2025. The route follows the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail.
These are two my favorite runs on the Narrows:
Bachmann Park - Take the flood to Dyes Inlet, explore Mud and Osterich Bays (in my book), then take the ebb back to Bachmann, (8 miles RT).
Lions Park - On the flood, use shore eddies to travel south up the east side using shore eddies to the paddle up Boat Shed Restaurant for a beer and a burger. After, cross over to the west side with downtown Bremerton views including the USS Turner Joy a Navy destroyer. Then float the current to Anderson Cove, and finish by crossing the channel back to Lions Park, (3.68 miles RT)
For my book update, I launched with friends at Bachmann Park, took a 5 knot flood in. They got out at Lions and I continued to explore Mud and Osterich Bays, then paddled back using shore eddies to Lions Park, about 13.5 miles. Read more about the bays in my book Paddling the Salish Sea.
Hazards
The tidal currents in the Narrows are not like Deception Pass. There’s only a few spots with light whitewater but nothing with anything heavier such as whirlpools or standing waves. Even if the wind is bucking (going against) the current, only a few spots build up, but you won’t see standing waves or good downwinding unfortunately.
Current can run up to 5-6 knots. I once organized a paddling race there in about 5 knots and everyone had a hoot. We used the second trip plan above from Lions and had no capsizes or any issues.
The main hazards are speeding power boats, the eddies behind the bridge pylons which can get pretty lively and the rapids off Bass Point to the north.
Boats fly at high speeds usually in the middle but keep an eye out just in case, especially in summer. I tend to run it both directions closer to the sides where there’s enough current and no boats.
Launches:
Bachmann Park - There’s a few parking spots and street parking. No restroom. A gentle beach and mid-century modern viewing platform.
Lions Park - This is a big park with playing fields, etc. The launch is off Lebo Street by Oak Street. There’s a boat ramp there and a huge lot, restrooms and picnic tables. The covered tables have to be rented. The beach here dries pretty far out at low tides where you can expect to see local beach foragers.
Learn More:
Read about more launches chart info and other details plus other local paddling routes in my book Paddling the Salish Sea (Trip 16). And a cool route from Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge to Bremerton, (Trip 15).
Get the WSDOT app to track ferries which do come in on Sinclair Inlet.
The Navy: On Sinclair Inlet stay clear of the Navy facilities west of Bremerton’s downtown.
Days to Avoid: The Bridge Blast, a fireworks celebration before the fourth of July off the Manette Bridge. June 28-29, 2025.
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My 2025 “Paddling the Salish Sea” Book Presentations:
March 5 – Wilderness Club, Bremerton, 7:45pm
VFW Hall, 9981 Central Valley Road, Bremerton.March 22 – Village Books, Bellingham, 5:00pm
Co-hosted by the North Cascades Institute for their "Nature in Writing" series.April 24 – Kingfisher Books, Coupeville, 5:30pm
Whidbey Island.Sept 30 – Seattle Sea Kayak Club, 7:00pm
Mercer Island Community Center.Nov 1 – Everett Mountaineers, Keynote Speaker, 5:30pm
Seattle Mountaineers Club.
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