How the calls work
Every hour of daylight at every launch gets a Go, Maybe or No-go, based on the official forecast for the water just off that launch.
What goes into a call
- Wind and gusts from the National Weather Service hourly forecast grid for the water off each launch.
- Offshore wind. Wind blowing from the land out to the water pushes you away from shore and is the classic way paddlers get into trouble, so it lowers the call one step once it's above about 8 mph.
- Chop (wave height) where the forecast includes it. Sheltered harbors ignore it and get a little more wind allowance.
- Marine alerts for the Puget Sound, Admiralty Inlet and Northern Inland Waters zones. A Small Craft Advisory is a no-go unless you've set your skill to Experienced; gale and storm warnings are always a no-go.
- Thunderstorms in the forecast are always a no-go.
- Strong-current launches (marked for experienced paddlers) never show better than Maybe for other skill levels.
- Daylight: only hours between sunrise and sunset get a call.
Tides (NOAA predictions for the nearest station) and water temperature (the nearest NOAA sensor) are shown alongside but don't change the call. Low tide can mean a long walk across mud at some launches, which the local notes point out.
Wind limits by skill
| Beginner | Intermediate | Experienced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go: wind up to | 7 | 10 | 13 |
| No-go: wind over | 11 | 14 | 18 |
| Maybe: gusts over | 11 | 15 | 20 |
| No-go: gusts over | 16 | 20 | 26 |
| Maybe: chop over | 0.5 ft | 1 ft | 1.5 ft |
| No-go: chop over | 1 ft | 2 ft | 3 ft |
| Small Craft Advisory | No-go | No-go | Maybe |
Speeds in mph. Choose your skill on the launches page; it's remembered in this browser.
Cold water, every month
Puget Sound stays cold all year, usually in the high 40s to mid 50s °F. Falling in brings cold shock in the first minute, so:
- Wear your PFD, don't just carry it. The Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel outside swimming and surfing areas.
- Dress for the water, not the air: a wetsuit or drysuit, and a leash on a paddleboard.
- Stay close to shore, paddle with someone, and tell someone your plan.
- Give ferries and ships a wide berth. They can't stop or turn for you.
A guide, not a guarantee
Forecasts can be wrong, and local effects (a point, a river mouth, a ferry wake) aren't in the data. Look at the water when you get there. If it looks worse than the call, believe your eyes. Check the official marine forecast before longer trips.
Where the data comes from
- Forecasts, observations and alerts: National Weather Service API
- Tide predictions, water temperature, tide-station wind: NOAA Tides & Currents
Your browser fetches the data directly from NOAA and the Weather Service each time you open the site, so it's always current. A text snapshot of every launch is also updated hourly for search engines and AI tools. This site isn't affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service.
Questions paddlers ask
How windy is too windy to paddleboard or kayak?
It depends on your skill. On this site, beginner paddlers get a Go up to 7 mph of wind (gusts to 11) and a No-go over 11 mph (gusts over 16); intermediate paddlers get a Go up to 10 mph of wind (gusts to 15) and a No-go over 14 mph (gusts over 20); experienced paddlers get a Go up to 13 mph of wind (gusts to 20) and a No-go over 18 mph (gusts over 26). In between is a Maybe. Gusts, chop and offshore wind can lower a call further. Paddleboards catch more wind than kayaks, so stand-up paddlers should lean toward the cautious end.
What is an offshore wind, and why is it dangerous for paddlers?
An offshore wind blows from the land out over the water. Near the beach the water can look calm, but the wind pushes you away from shore and gets stronger farther out, which makes the paddle back much harder. It is one of the most common ways paddlers get into trouble. This site lowers the call one step when the wind is offshore at about 8 mph or more.
How cold is the water in Puget Sound?
Puget Sound stays cold all year, usually in the high 40s to mid 50s °F. Falling in brings cold shock within the first minute, so dress for the water rather than the air (a wetsuit or drysuit), wear your PFD, and stay close to shore.
Can I paddle during a Small Craft Advisory?
A Small Craft Advisory means winds or seas that are hazardous for small boats. This site makes it a No-go for beginner and intermediate paddlers and a Maybe for experienced paddlers. Gale and storm warnings are always a No-go.
Do I need a life jacket on a paddleboard?
The U.S. Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel when it is used outside swimming, surfing and bathing areas, so you need a Coast Guard-approved PFD and a whistle. In cold Puget Sound water, wear the PFD rather than just carrying it, and use a leash.
What time of day is calmest for paddling on Puget Sound?
Often the morning, before afternoon breezes build, but it changes with each weather system. Each launch page shows the best window of daylight hours for today and tomorrow, based on the hourly forecast.
Where do the forecasts come from, and how current are they?
Wind, gust, chop, temperature and thunderstorm forecasts come from the National Weather Service hourly forecast grid for the water just off each launch, and marine alerts from the Weather Service. Tide predictions and water temperature come from NOAA. Your browser fetches them fresh each time you open the site, and a text snapshot of every launch is updated hourly.
Is this an official forecast?
No. The calls are a guide, not a guarantee, and this site is not affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service. Look at the water when you arrive, check the official marine forecast, and paddle within your limits.
Help make it better
Tell us where you put in, when a call was wrong, or what you'd like added (lakes, currents, more launches). Tap Feedback on any page; launch pages also have a quick "was the call right?" check-in. New launches and tweaks go in every week.