Deception Pass is located in Island County and are the two channels separating main land Washington and Whidbey Island. It is a water way that has gained a reputation as being “Washington’s most active water way because of the volume of water that travels through the channels during the Puget Sound’s tidal changes.
Here is the scoop, during the tidal changes there are only two ways for water to leave or enter the Puget Sound; around the southern tip of Whidbey Island and through Deception Pass. Since the passage ways are so narrow the volume of water so high the current can move up to 17 knots in either direction.
During the tidal changes smaller boats are best advised to stay out of the channels and wait for slack tide before making the journey through. But it is worth it in my opinion. The towering rock banks and surrounding trees make the view spectacular, either standing on the bring or from the water. But do not get discouraged from venturing through Deception Pass because during slack tide it is not uncommon to find small craft and even kayakers traveling through the channels.
Information Links
– Government Website
– Burn Ban Website
– Camping Reservations
– Camp Site Map
– Deception Pass Tours
2 Comments
Hi I love Deception pass state park ! It is in my back yard !! I go to the beach lots! Even on not sunny days !! I love the storms, if they are not too bad !!! The waves are bigger and fun to see !! When it is spring the sun may be around some and it is the start of sun for the new year summer !! Hope 2008 will be more sun !! Francie
Francie, you are lucky to have such a beautiful area in your backyard, I bet it is amazing through the seasons. Mostly I have been there in the summer but would love to see Deception Pass with the storm surge and might have to head out there this winter.