Continent |
North America |
Country |
Washington (USA) |
Next Big City |
Seattle, Tacoma |
Next Town |
Purdy, Wauna |
|
Type: |
Lake |
Rider Ability: |
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert |
Features: |
Parking |
Water
Type: |
Shallow, Flat, Chop |
Hazards: |
None |
Quality: |
Clean |
Best Tide: |
Low tide |
At low tide the bay is quite shallow for ways out.
Beach
Type: |
Sand, Rocks |
Size: |
Tidal |
Hazards: |
Road, Power lines |
Beach Users: |
None |
The launch is similar to Richmond Beach with a mixture of sand and rocks. At low tide there is a lot of room and the bay is quite shallow for a ways out making for a good body dragging location. At high tide there is barely any beach and the road and power lines are closer to the launch so be careful!
Weather
Spring:
|
Normal |
Summer:
|
Shorts, Shorty |
Fall:
|
Normal |
Winter:
|
Thick |
4/3 wetsuit late spring, shorty to board shorts in late June through July and August. Water temp 50°F late spring to upper 60's°F in August (tide will effect this more than in Gorge). Air temps 50's to 70°F in spring and 70's to 90's°F in summer.
Wind
Best Months: |
No information |
Wind Type: |
No information |
Best Direction: |
SW |
Main Direction: |
No information |
Purdy light's up when clearing begins and the post frontal Southwesterlies kick in. Purdy is sometimes a sneaker place, which blows when not much else is going. It can also tease and disappoint you. Purdy usually blows if there is a 2 millibar (.06") or greater westerly gradient between Bremerton and at least two to the following: Forks, Hoquiam, Astoria and Portland. Westerly winds blow in from the coast and accelerate as they make their way around the Olympic Mountains. West winds and Southwest "clearing winds" are what you want to make the Purdy Spit work.
How to get there
Transport |
Car |
Access
|
Short walk |
Tacoma Airport. From I-5 southbound make your way though Tacoma. At the Tacoma Mall exit (38th Street/Hwy 16) bear off to the right hand lane. You will cross the Narrows Bridge in about 5 miles. Head north about 10 miles to the Wauna exit and go right. Follow under the overpass and down the hill to the little town. Take a left at the stop light and travel 1 mile over the bridge to the little post office.
Extra information
Nightlife