Sound Stand Up Fitness: South Sound Paddles; West Bay Log Boom

A nice, relatively easy paddle in the southern end of Budd Inlet is from Swantown Marina to the log boom on the west side of the inlet. The majority of this part of Budd Inlet is a No Wake zone, so there is much less of a concern of reckless boaters and their wake. You will need to be concerned with wind and weather, however. Summer afternoons typically bring wind from the NNW and fall, winter, and spring brings storm patterns from the SW. So be aware of what the wind may do as you paddle to and from the log boom.

You'll also want to keep a safe distance from the many harbor seals that haul out on the boom. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that you remain 100 yards from any mammals. This can be difficult to do when circling the boom but I'll personally request that you give them the space and respect they deserve and keep noise to a minimum when passing by. Other wildlife you may encounter include eagles, osprey, herons, and kingfishers.

This is a beautiful and accessible paddle from Olympia. Aside from weather, there are few additional concerns - tidal currents are typically negligible. In addition to launching from Swantown Marina, West Bay Park is another nice start and end point, so long as the tide will remain relatively high during your outing. Have fun!