Best Spots to Kayak and Paddleboard Near Everett Washington
Flat water stretching to the Olympic Mountains. A heron dipping low over eelgrass. The distant rumble of a Washington State Ferry cutting toward Whidbey Island. Kayaking and paddleboarding near Everett, Washington put you in the middle of all of it, and the options are surprisingly varied for a city this size.
Whether you want salt water and sea life or a calm freshwater lake for your first time on a board, this corner of Snohomish County has you covered within about 30 minutes of the Everett waterfront.
TL;DR: The best spots to kayak and paddleboard near Everett, Washington are Jetty Island and Port Gardner Bay (saltwater, beginner-friendly), Lake Stevens (calm freshwater, great for SUP), the Snohomish River (gentle current, wildlife), and Possession Sound near Mukilteo. Each spot suits a different skill level and vibe, and most are a short drive from Timber & Tide on the North Puget Sound.
The Best Kayaking and Paddleboarding Spots Near Everett at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison so you can pick the right water for your trip:
| Location | Water Type | Skill Level | Drive from Everett | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetty Island | Saltwater lagoon | Beginner | 5 min (+ ferry) | Families, calm paddling, wildlife |
| Port Gardner Bay | Saltwater, open bay | Beginner–Intermediate | 5 min | Scenic city waterfront paddles |
| Snohomish River | Freshwater, slow current | Beginner–Intermediate | 20 min | Wildlife, birding, longer trips |
| Lake Stevens | Freshwater lake | Beginner | 20 min | SUP, swimming, summer leisure |
| Possession Sound / Mukilteo | Saltwater, open sound | Intermediate | 15 min | Advanced paddlers, views |
| Ebey Slough | Freshwater tidal slough | Beginner | 15 min | Flat water, herons, quiet |
Jetty Island: The Easiest and Most Magical Entry Point
If you only have one day on the water near Everett, Jetty Island is the answer. A two-mile barrier island sitting just off the Everett waterfront in Port Gardner Bay, it is managed by the City of Everett and accessible via the Jetty Island ferry, which runs from late June through Labor Day with departures roughly every 30 minutes. Note that the ferry charges a small fare, so check the current schedule and pricing on the City of Everett website before you go.
The lagoon between the island and the mainland is shallow, protected, and almost eerily calm. That makes it ideal for stand-up paddleboard (SUP) beginners who do not want to wrestle with chop, and for kayakers who want to poke along the shoreline watching harbor seals or spotting great blue herons in the eelgrass.
You can bring your own kayak or SUP by launching from the nearby 10th Street Boat Launch. Water shoes are smart since the island's sandy beach is beautiful but the launch areas can be pebbly.
For everything else about Jetty Island, including the summer naturalist programs and beach rules, check out our complete Jetty Island guide. No need to repeat it all here.
Where to Rent Kayaks and Paddleboards Near Everett
You do not need to own gear to get out on the water. Everett Watersports on the waterfront rents kayaks, single and tandem, along with stand-up paddleboards by the hour or the half day. Rates typically run around $20–$25 per hour for a single kayak and $30 for a SUP, though it is always worth calling ahead to confirm current pricing and summer availability, especially on weekends when gear goes fast. They can also give you a quick orientation if it is your first time on a board, which is genuinely helpful.
If you are heading to Lake Stevens, check with local outfitters near Lundeen Park for seasonal rentals closer to the water. Supply is limited, so booking ahead whenever possible saves you a trip.
Port Gardner Bay: Paddling the Everett Waterfront
Port Gardner Bay wraps around the south and west sides of the Everett peninsula. It is the same water Jetty Island sits in, but paddling out from the city-side launches gives you a completely different perspective: the working port, the Everett Marina, and on a clear day, the jagged line of the Olympics across the Sound.
The 10th Street Boat Launch is the go-to put-in for most paddlers. It has a paved ramp, easy parking, and restrooms. From here you can paddle south along the marina or north toward the Jetty Island ferry channel. Keep an eye on boat traffic near the marina entrance, and give the commercial vessels a wide berth.
One honest note about saltwater paddling in Puget Sound: the water is cold year-round, typically 48 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit even in summer. A wetsuit or drysuit is not required for calm-day paddling close to shore, but it is a good idea if you are heading further out. Know your limits, check the NOAA marine forecast before you launch, and tell someone your plan.
Lake Stevens: Best Freshwater SUP Near Everett
About 20 minutes east of Everett, Lake Stevens is the region's most popular freshwater paddling destination and one of the best stand-up paddleboarding lakes in Snohomish County. The lake is large, roughly 1,000 acres, the water warms up enough by July to actually swim in, and the views of the Cascade foothills are genuinely pretty.
Lundeen Park on the north shore is the most common launch point. It has a beach, restrooms, and parking. On summer weekends it gets busy, so an early morning launch around 8 a.m. means glassy water and almost no boat traffic.
Lake Stevens is probably the single best spot near Everett for someone on their first paddleboard. Flat, warm-ish, no tidal current. Honestly, most people who are nervous about the ocean do perfectly fine here on day one.
The Snohomish River: Wildlife and Wide-Open Sloughs
The Snohomish River delta is a seriously underrated paddling destination. Launching from the Langus Riverfront Park boat ramp, about 15 minutes from Everett and free to use, you can paddle the river or duck into Ebey Slough, a tidal side channel that winds through marshland thick with eagles, mergansers, and the occasional beaver dam.
The current on the main river is gentle enough for beginners, especially on an incoming tide when the water is practically still. A two to three hour loop through the slough and back is a very satisfying morning. Bring binoculars. You will use them.
The Snohomish River estuary is part of a larger wildlife corridor stretching toward the Spencer Island Natural Area, a county-managed wetland that birders drive hours to visit. If you combine a slough paddle with a walk around Spencer Island, that is a full and genuinely great day.
Possession Sound and Mukilteo: For More Experienced Paddlers
About 15 minutes south of Everett on the waterfront, Mukilteo is best known for its historic lighthouse and the Washington State Ferry to Whidbey Island. It is also a launch point for paddlers who want open-sound conditions and bigger scenery.
Possession Sound here is wider, the ferry traffic is real, and the tidal currents can move. This is not the place for a first outing on a borrowed board. But if you have solid paddling experience, the views back toward Everett, north toward Hat Island, and across to Whidbey are hard to beat. The Mukilteo Lighthouse Park provides beach access and parking.
On a calm summer morning, paddling south from Mukilteo along the Puget Sound shoreline is about as good as it gets in the Pacific Northwest.
Practical Tips for Paddling Near Everett
A few things worth knowing before you load up the car:
- Tides matter on saltwater. Puget Sound tides can vary 12 to 16 feet. Check the NOAA tide chart for Everett before any saltwater paddle. Launching at low tide on Jetty Island can leave you dragging your board through mud.
- Water temperature. Even in August, Puget Sound runs cold. Dress for immersion, not the air temperature. A paddling jacket or wetsuit top is cheap insurance.
- Rent before you buy. If you are newer to kayaking or SUP, renting locally is the smart move. Hourly rates around $20–$25 let you try different gear before you commit to anything.
- Parking. The 10th Street Boat Launch in Everett and Lundeen Park at Lake Stevens are both free. Mukilteo Lighthouse Park charges a small day-use fee on weekends.
- Wildlife rules. If you spot harbor seals or sea otters hauled out on Jetty Island's beaches, stay at least 100 yards away. It is a federal guideline under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and it is the right thing to do.
When Is the Best Time to Kayak Near Everett?
The paddling season near Everett runs roughly May through September. July and August are the sweet spot: the weather is reliably dry, Jetty Island's ferry is running, Lake Stevens is warm enough to swim, and you will have the longest possible days to work with.
May and June can be excellent too, especially for wildlife. The estuary is alive with migrating shorebirds, and the mountains still have snow on them, which makes the backdrop on Port Gardner Bay genuinely dramatic. Shoulder-season paddling just requires a warmer layer and a little more weather tolerance.
For a fuller picture of what to do while you are in the area, the things to do in Everett, WA guide is a good starting point. And if you are planning a full weekend around water, hiking, and local food, the perfect weekend in Everett itinerary lays out a solid two-day plan.
Plan Your Water Adventure from Timber & Tide
Timber & Tide sits right on the North Puget Sound in Everett, which means you wake up with the water already in view. The 10th Street Boat Launch is about five minutes away. Mukilteo is a quick drive down the coast. Lake Stevens is 20 minutes east.
Having a home base this close to the water makes a real difference, especially when you want to launch early, beat the crowds at Jetty Island, and still have time for coffee and a shower before dinner. Timber & Tide is that home base.
If a paddling trip along the North Puget Sound sounds like your kind of getaway, check availability and book your stay at timber-tide.com. The water will be waiting.