Images by Richard Porter

Imagine a city surrounded by water. Picture a peninsula jutting into Puget Sound, bordered on the east by a river and on the north by an estuary criss-crossed by waterways.

Behold Everett, Washington as it is: a maritime wonderland.

The weather will be changing oh so soon and with spring comes a variety of watersport activities: kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddleboarding (SUP). These popular water activities are within easy reach to Everett residents. 

Let’s look at some of the best places to go, what you need to know, and how you can prioritize water safety before hopping aboard.

Where to go

My mold-prone basement and sump pump can tell you: there are many bodies of water surrounding the Everett peninsula. Consult a map to pick from your menu of maritime options.  

Possession Sound is the big body of water to the west of Everett. Access Possession Sound and Jetty Island via the 10th Street boat launch at the Port of Everett. The southern portion of Possession Sound is called Port Gardner. To reach it you can put in your foldable kayak or SUP at Pigeon Creek. “Pigeon” is reached via a one-mile paved path, so canoes and conventional hard-body kayaks can be hard to transport there.

Down the coastline from Port Gardner is Howarth Park -- also a great place to put small vessels in due to sandy shores. Foldable kayaks and SUP boards are preferable here, since you have to access Howarth via a bridge and a flight of stairs: obstacles not conducive to canoe lugging.  

The Snohomish River can be accessed via boat launches at Langus Park, and Rotary Park at Lowell. 

Water exploration has few boundaries for the adept watercraft navigator. By building skills and mastering tides and currents you can unlock secret bonuses. Toss a crab pot, look for whales, observe osprey nests up close. Seek out Deer Island, the Spencer Island Estuary, or paddle down the coast to Mukilteo.

Safety Basics and What You Need to Know

Okay, first thing: you absolutely need a personal flotation device (PFD) for yourself and anyone else who hits the water. You need to wear it at all times -- it’s the law.

Think about your sport, where you’ll put in and what you’ll need to wear. At various times I’ve used waterproof booties, waders, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and dry suits to make sure I’m covered and have offshore traction before hitting the drink.

Master the basics of proper paddling strokes to maintain control and stability. Take a class or watch a YouTube video to familiarize yourself with your chosen watersport. Nobody’s born a pro and it’s better to underestimate yourself than overdo it and end up drifting alone in the Salish Sea. 

With some experience you’ll be able to better identify obstacles like branches under the water, rocks near shore, and changing water conditions. 

Weather awareness is key. Check forecasts before embarking on a watery trip. Take time to understand the impact of wind and other weather factors on canoe or kayak safety.

And one last super important thing: always check tides and beware of currents. Consulting a simple tidal chart is easy enough. Be especially cautious when disembarking from the 10th Street boat launch, which is at the mouth of the Snohomish River where currents get gnarly. A seemingly simple paddle to Jetty Island can be a ten-minute breeze one day and a sweat-inducing slog the next.

Whew. Got all that? Of course you did! You’ll be an old salt before you know it. Now that you know where to go and what to do you're equipped for a delightful springtime exploring the waterways of Everett. Remember the safety basics and be sure to have fun!

Richard Porter is a writer for Live in Everett.