How far is the paddle from Dana Harbor to Salt Creek?

[alanw]

Google maps distance tool:

Launch ramp to harbor entrance = .5 mile
Harbor entrance to San Juan Rocks (Headlands) = 1.5 miles
San Juan Rocks to Salt Creek Beach = 1.25 miles

Total one way = 3.25 miles

Add .8 miles if you launch from Baby Beach


The kelp at the point is thick although a little brown this time of year. I was out there last weekend and schools of bait fish are plentiful. You can see lots of Calico and Kelpfish down to about about 20'-25' visibility into the water.

Lots of Dolphins out there, sea lion pups are plentiful, and even 3 whales passed inside the kelp line while I was there.

[toadstoadsonly]

Thank you for your help guys I am going to launch either Friday or Saturday evening and troll the kelp line 4 miles is not too harsh since every time I hit La Jolla I do 12-15mi average. I just started fishing the Dana Area in January so I am still a noob to the area. The halibut fishing I have down lock I've caught over 20 legals this past few months fishing weekends. I want switch it up and venture out and try for some other species Threshers, Calico's, if I get lucky Seabass.

[DanaPT]

Originally Posted by alanw

Google maps distance tool:

Launch ramp to harbor entrance = .5 mile
Harbor entrance to San Juan Rocks (Headlands) = 1.5 miles
San Juan Rocks to Salt Creek Beach = 1.25 miles

Total one way = 3.25 miles

Add .8 miles if you launch from Baby Beach


The kelp at the point is thick although a little brown this time of year. I was out there last weekend and schools of bait fish are plentiful. You can see lots of Calico and Kelpfish down to about about 20'-25' visibility into the water.

Lots of Dolphins out there, sea lion pups are plentiful, and even 3 whales passed inside the kelp line while I was there.

add wind and swell and those miles add up. It can be a trek.

When going out at dark, I stay close to break wall north to outside of big boilers. Here, I usually take the drive out and paddle over very heavy patches of kelp until I break on through to the other side.

[William Novotny]

Originally Posted by DanaPT

add wind and swell and those miles add up. It can be a trek.

When going out at dark, I stay close to break wall north to outside of big boilers. Here, I usually take the drive out and paddle over very heavy patches of kelp until I break on through to the other side.

+1. Be mindful of wind and current, especially at night. It's not out of the question and fishing could be very productive. The paddle back can be grueling at times

[alanw]

Originally Posted by DanaPT

add wind and swell and those miles add up. It can be a trek.

When going out at dark, I stay close to break wall north to outside of big boilers. Here, I usually take the drive out and paddle over very heavy patches of kelp until I break on through to the other side.

Yep, it's taken me up to an hour to paddle 1.5 miles from harbor to headlands with headwinds and swells. If I stop for a breather then I just lose ground quickly so once I commit it's a non-stop trek. Only 25-30 minutes coming back though with wind to my back. Paddling a barge has it's drawbacks.

[dpasinli]

it's calling for s-se winds Friday and Sat night so coming back my take some effort.

[Zed]

That May/June eddy while nice and cool along the coast, really sucks w that SE wind right up the beach. If it blows for 12-18+hours the crosschop screws surfing too and everyone complains.

But consider the alternative we just saw. Late Apri/early May Santa Ana? No thanks.

[Vikingj]

The above distances are pretty accurate depending on launch point, whether you cut inside or go around San Juan rocks, and location at Salt Creek. During average conditions of wave/swell it takes a little over an hour to get there. Kelp is thick- easier to peddle through during high tide and/or a strong current that lays down fronds. Good luck

[CKallday71]

Can you launch/land at Mussle Cove which is just north of Salt Creek? I've never been there, I'm just looking at it on Google Maps.