Boston Kayaker

Kayaking on Salem Harbor - in Salem MA Rating: One-and-a-Half Stars - The most scenic launch I can remember. Rocky shores and a nearby lighthouse. Salem Harbor is basically a big boat parking lot surrounded by expensive water-front homes. I crossed the Salem Harbor from Winter Island park to the east side and then circled the harbor clockwise. I paddled the Salem Harbor for 1 hour and 45 minutes.   Put in at Winter Island   Road in Salem MA. Paddle around Salem   Harbor and return. Estimated round trip   distance = 5 to 6 miles Forest River Park   - alternate put in Salem Witch   Museum Waikiki   Beach Fort Pickering   Lighthouse Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: US Harbors: Salem Harbor Tides Salem Sound Coastwatch: Forest River Park Salem Sound Coastwatch: Winter Island Park US Harbors: Salem Harbor Tides Number of original photos on this page : 104 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. At the Salem Witch Museum in Salem MA. Trip date is June 2014. Salem Common on left view from Witch Museum. At Winter Island Park launch to Salem Harbor. Fort Pickering Lighthouse in the background. The Boston Kayaker just launched into Salem Harbor from Winter Island Park in Salem MA. Looking to my left is the Fort Pickering Lighthouse. My plan for today's kayak trip is to make a quick dash across Salem Harbor to Fort Miller (that land jutting out) and then do clock-wise paddle near the coast circling back to Winter Island. Boat's wake. Getting closer to the eastern side of Salem Harbor. Paddling northeast . . . To my left is the other side of the Salem Harbor where I came from. From this distance, I can not make out the lighthouse. Decided this is as far as I would go and will now turn around and paddle south. Just turned around. To my right now is the western coast of Salem Harbor. Again I can not see the lighthouse that is now too small from this distance. Now paddling in south-easterly direction with the coast on my left. That big chimney is the Salem Harbor power plant. Scheduled for demolition this year 2014. It's actually on the east side of Salem Harbor. A cormorant diving for fish on Salem Harbor. Two paddlers in red kayaks on Salem Harbor. This kayaker is fast! The footbridge over the mouth of Forest River. I noticed that with the tide currently rising, the water is flowing into the Forest River. This is a picture I have taken later in the day of two kayakers approaching the foot bridge over the Forest River mouth. That is the Lafayette Street bridge they are about to go under. The kayakers now past the foot bridge and entering Forest River. Just veered right paddling easterly along the southern end of Salem Harbor. Salem Harbor viewed from near Lafayette Street. Now approaching the western coast of Salem Harbor. Continuing my clock-wise plan, veering right, now paddling in a northerly direction. That land jutting from the left shore is the Forest River Park. A pair of blue herons on the banks of Salem Harbor. Forest River Park beach. This photo taken later from Forest River Park. This photo also taken later from Forest River Park. Ducklings in the middle of Salem Harbor. Fishermen at the tip of Forest River Park. The Glendale Cove and Palmdale Cove on my left. I will skip the coast-hugging and bypass the coves on my left and paddle on a straight line to the power plant directly in front of me. A house boat complete with a backyard shed on Salem Harbor. The toys that rich people have! A man scrubbing his boat . . . The second biggest reason I do not buy a boat. The first biggest reason is that I can not afford one! Now I can see the lighthouse! Glancing to my right, the eastern coast of Salem Harbor. The boat ramp at Winter Island Park. I did not use this ramp to launch and used the rocky beaches instead. Salem Harbormaster. Landed. I was paddling on Salem Harbor for 1 hour and 45 minutes.