Surfing the Salish Sea
Learn about a few spots to surf on this inland waterway
Around 2003 ish, a friend of mine and I were paddling on Shilshole Bay in Seattle and came across a large breaking wave near shore. Experienced with surf kayaking on the coast, we ‘dropped in’ and rode the wave to the beach.
Perplexed why there was a perfectly shaped peeling wave 110 miles from the ocean, we began to look into it. We determined there’s no way ocean swell from the Strait of Juan de Fuca could find its way down the winding 31 mile waterway south of the Strait to Seattle.
Over time we began to realize the waves were coming off ships. Back then we didn’t have ship tracking apps, so we stood at the high bluff overlooks in our neighborhood of Ballard peering north and south looking for ships.
Eventually we figured it out, it definitely was fast moving container ships (not tankers) over 17 knots during lower tides that created the waves.
Boaters have long known of the big wakes these ships put off while cruising offshore. But there was little info on where these waves broke on shore. But as surfers we knew where to look to find beaches that would have good wave action.
Persistence Pays
These findings were later refined to a ‘T’ with the help of technology from ship tracking apps like MarineTraffic and a lot of trial and error - showing up at various tide levels, varying wind directions and testing different boats.
We got stumped a lot. We still do on occasion! But we also scored waves sometimes longer than those at most spots on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and sessions can last up to 45 minutes off one boat. While not as big as coastal waves it’s a great way to stay in ‘surf shape’ between trips.
Other Boats that Throw Good Waves
While I mentioned freighters / container ships above these other boats can throw off smaller waves:
Victoria Clipper
Kitsap Express Fast Ferries
Navy ships (but most are not on AIS, the system used by ship tracking apps.
At West Point in Seattle I’ve surfed small waves off of recreational boats since the current and wind can build waves there.
Freighter Surf Spots
Here’s a few spots you can surf the Salish Sea. Unless you know of my neighborhood spot, I’m not sharing it here to keep it uncrowded. It can only safely hold 5 paddlers, beyond that collisions began to happen.
Golden Gardens Park at Meadow Point - Lower tides, aim for south bound ships for best results but north bound can throw a few. Also good for strong northerly wind waves. Mostly smaller waves 2-4’. Easy parking.
West Point Lighthouse - At Discovery Park in Seattle. Unless you can get a parking permit it requires paddling in from Ballard (1.5 miles) or Magnolia. This spot breaks for boats going north or south at lower tide levels about 3’ or lower.
Duwamish Head - Near Alki, this is the point by the large range marker on the stand. It breaks at a 1’ tide from pretty much everything that goes by. About 2-3’ waves at most. Easy parking at the boat ramp there.
Discovery Park below the bluff - This is the wide bay southeast of the lighthouse below the bluff in the park. At super low tides it completely dries out. Just above those levels if 1-3’ of water covers the sand it’s catches both wind and ship wakes along a nice sandy bottom. Not big waves but long rides, about 2-4’ waves.
Apple Cove Point - Just north of Kingston, requires a short paddle in from the Kingston Marina. Watch for ferries. I surfed this while paddling north in the Seventy48 Race in 2019. Already pooped and about ready to quit the race, I always have enough fuel in the tank to surf a wave. It was nice at tides 3’ or lower to about 1’. Lower than that it dries out. Should take boats from both directions.
Eglon Beach - North of Kingston about 4 miles.
Marrowstone Point - Just around the corner from the lighthouse at Fort Flagler. Also lower tides. Friends have been wing surfing the beach south of the lighthouse in high winds.
Rolling Bay, Bainbridge Island - Aim for lower but not low tides as the bay will dry out.
Rockaway Beach near the Creosote Plant, Bainbridge Island - When the Bainbridge ferry takes a hard right here, it throws off a wake that a few have been reported to have surfed here. It’s a quick session but fun if you’re into novelty waves.
Point Break at Blake Island - At the point just south of the marina. I surfed it while at a big REI employee event about a decade ago. I was there with a sup rep to support the event with gear.
Des Moines Beach Park - I’ve taught there a few times and have seen waves break on the beach at higher tides due to a sandbar just off shore. sasas
Dash Point - North of Tacoma, I’ve heard of folks catching waves there.
Point Robinson, Vashon Island - Older editions of my book called ‘Kayaking the Puget Sound and the San Juans’ list this as ‘watch out for the breakers on the beach at Point Robinson’.
False Bay, San Juan Island - A friend surfed this once on his prone paddle board. It dries at low tides so aim for water covering the sand, so about 2’ tides and above.
Crescent Bay, Salt Creek Recreational Area - Known as a regular surf break, I have had freighters throw in waves on slow days. Takes about 30 min to get in.
Resources:
Get my book Paddling the Salish Sea 80 Trips to learn more about water access for potential surf options.
Freighter Surfing Class - I teach freighter surfing in Seattle for kayaks, surf skis and sups. Must be intermediate with a good forward stroke. I’ll save you tons of time trying to figure it out. Spring and Summer for tides. Contact me
MarineTraffic app for tracking boats / ships
NOAA Tides App, I also use the Navionics app.
Book Me - I'm available to present my book and related paddling topics. Contact me
I Provide Custom Surf Ski and SUP Coaching
Through my business Salmon Bay Paddle, I offer 1-1 and 2-person personalized paddling lessons for sups and surf skis in the Seattle area and beyond for all skill levels.
Whether starting as a total beginner or as an advanced paddler seeking to refine skills I can help you reach your goals.
I provide training for touring, learning about tidal currents and trip planning, paddling safely in Deception Pass, surfing freighter waves in Seattle and more.
Contact me to chat / Follow me on IG: @salmonbaypaddle
PSUPA Flat Water 1 SUP Certification Course
May 31 and June 1 in Seattle I’m holding this in-depth course to train you to become a professional paddle board coach.
Receive the PSUPA 80 page training manual. Contact me for more info. Course Details