Orcas Island Event - Obstruction Pass to Doe Island and PeaPods - L3

When
September 19, 2026
9:15 AM
Location
Public Boat Launch next to Lieberhaven Resort
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name:: Paige Light-Powell
Narrative:: The date is subject to change based on Event Needs.
Come explore the SE side of Orcas Island. We'll launch at the public boat launch next to Lieberhaven Resort (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xh4XEMmbmH8R4yXz6), paddle with a current assist through Obstruction Pass, and then up the shore to Doe Bay Resort, where we can take a break, stretch, and maybe get a snack from the store. Then we'll continue North a bit, and make a 1/2 mile crossing to explore the Pea Pods Rocks while staying at least 200 yards from shore. These rocks are part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. If we're really lucky, we might see an orca, as others have reported sightings there. After exploring those islands, we'll travel west back to Orcas, then come south past Doe Bay to Doe Island Marine State Park (https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/doe-island-marine-state-park), landing on the south side sandy beach for lunch, then returning by noodling along the shore of Orcas Island, and coming back through Obstruction Pass with a slight assist from the Ebb tide. This is a longer paddle, at 11 NM, dry suits with adequate layering and sea kayaks with bulkheads required.
Meeting Time:: 9:15:00 AM
Launch Time:: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Public Boat Launch next to Lieberhaven Resort: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xh4XEMmbmH8R4yXz6
Take out:: same
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Shorten trip to visit just South PeaPod, or Just to Doe Bay Island
Required equipment:: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection:: Full wet suit
Primary Organizer:: Paige Light-Powell
Co-Organizer(s):: TBD
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 6
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 70
Estimated Water Temperature:: 53
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 6 hours
Tide times & heights:: Low 4:54 am, .6, High 2:41 pm, 7.6, Low 8:29 pm, 5.9
Current information:: Obstruction Pass: Max Flood_10:05 1.3 kt, Slack_1:17 pm, Max Ebb_4:19 pm -.5
Peapod Rocks Light, Max Flood 10:42 am_1.8 kt, Slack 2:56 pm, Max Ebb_5:22 pm -.6
Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents:: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance:: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing:: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 3
Rating Comments:: From Doe Bay to PeaPods and back there are no landings, as the islands are protected. Level 3 due to this and distance.
Location:: Public Boat Launch next to Lieberhaven Resort: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xh4XEMmbmH8R4yXz6
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Peavine Pass
Link to map of route (Optional): DeepZoom trip: Obstruction Pass to Doe Bay and Pea Pods https://www.deepzoom.com/trip/3952da6j
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Put in::

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon