Service Description

Woodard Bay is just minutes from downtown Olympia and offers viewing of abundant wildlife and historic landmarks, all from inside the protected Henderson Inlet. Within minutes of launching on our kayak tour we will encounter the nesting site of over 1,500 Double-Crested Cormorants and 100 Great Blue Herons. We'll keep watch for seals, otters, and the many birds that come through the area. We'll also kayak around the historic Woodard railroad pier that is now home to several thousand adult bats and their pups. Halfway through the tour we'll stop for a snack-break and learn about the rich history of Woodard Bay, starting with the Native Americans who lived in the area for thousands of years, the arrival of the Woodard family in 1853, the birth of the Weyerhaeuser Timer Company in 1900, the South Bay Log Dump that rafted log booms up to a mill north of Seattle, and finally the restoration of Woodard Bay into what we see today. Paddling back to the launch site allows us to see the area with fresh eyes, spotting the natural, human, and restored areas of this beautiful sanctuary. Our small group size (1:6) ensures a safe and informative tour that allows us to adhere to the Leave-No-Trace principles while visiting. We will meet at 5:00 pm at the Woodard Bay parking lot (WA Discover Pass is required) beginning with a brief kayaking introduction, and be back to the parking lot by 8:00 pm. All of the kayaks and paddling gear will be provided for you. And of course, if you have any questions at all please reach out to us. We love talking about kayaking! We look forward to kayaking with you and exploring this beautiful sanctuary.