Launching a sea kayak from the east side of Jones Inlet is
an option that minimizes paddling in the sometimes-fast current of
Reynold’s Channel where I'd typically launch from the Marina in Point Lookout. Launching from the east side of the inlet also allows you to hug the eastern jetty, protected from the swell that usually travels from SE to NW.
The West End
Boat Basin, located on the east side of the inlet by the USCG Station Jones Beach, offers parking and is free in the
off-season. You have to pull your boat
with a cart for a ways along the paved bike path, maybe 100 yards, to the officially
designated “State Park Kayak Access”. But it’s an easy walk-and-roll. The paddling is
glorious, just have to stay a bit off the shoreline to avoid the fishermen who
line the jetty so you don’t get tangled up in their lines. The launch area can get shallow (see Photo 4.)
but the bottom is sandy-ish so easily walkable with your boat until you reach
deeper water.
This site is among the many listed on Elizabeth O’Connor’s
website “Sea Kayaking Skills and Adventures, Ltd”. She’s a big kayak racer out
on Long Island who started the website, a great resource:
http://www.sksaltd.com/launch.htm#jonespkwestend
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| Photo 1. West End Boat Basin - Jones Beach |
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| Photo 2. Launch area is 100-yards past parking lot. |
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| Photo 3. A kayak cart is necessary but paved bike path is easy. |
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| Photo 4. Launch area can get shallow, jetty on East Side of Jones Inlet looking southwards |
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| Photo 5. Off-shore breakers that can be fun to mess with if you're adventurous, since no fear of a beach-dumping injury |
