Anderson Point (Puget Sound)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Anderson Point (Puget Sound) in the South Sound offers clean water with flat-to-choppy conditions that can suit a range of kitesurfing styles. The access is via a point launch that requires a hike from a small county park parking area (reported as roughly 8–10 minutes, and described elsewhere as about 3/4 mile each way). The physical approach and variable shoreline make this a spot where preparation matters.
- Clean water
- Strong tidal-current environment nearby
- Point launch with hike from parking
- Kitesurfing works for freeride; good foiling potential
- Clean water and generally flat-to-choppy Puget Sound conditions.
- Point staging area can work well for freeride; good potential for foiling due to quick depth.
- Wind can be strong during storm systems and also shows northerly/southerly directional best use.
- Strong tidal currents in the nearby passage area can make riding and self-rescue difficult.
- Cold water year-round; requires thermal protection.
- Hike to the launch is steep and/or long; limited beach landing space at high tide.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, S, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type reported as frontal; wind also varies with storm systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on passing low-pressure systems
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- High bluffs can create shadows very close to shore on certain angles.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Mixed — Rocks/mixed shoreline; also described as sand and pebble spit in some accounts.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Reported as flat to choppy water; also described as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Point launch; sometimes described as a sand and pebble spit extending into the Sound.
Through the year
Low to moderate; limited by the hike and specific wind conditions.
Rainy season typically runs from late October through April; storm-driven winds are consistent in autumn and winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat to choppy water conditions with a point launch and moderate walk-in. Suitable for freeride and beginner-to-intermediate riders who can manage strong currents; can also work for wave, big-air, and foil sessions depending on conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Feasible but physically demanding due to the required hike with heavy gear.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Good for foiling due to immediate depth, but the hike and driftwood/logs can complicate gear handling.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Immediate depth supports foiling.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anderson Point (Puget Sound) in the full forecast view.
Anderson Point (Puget Sound) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- S176°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2810 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.0–0.2 m5s period
- Temperature
- 5–14 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anderson Point (Puget Sound) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.0–0.2 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Heavy tidal currents
- Currents can be very strong in Colvos Passage (sometimes up to several knots).
- Driftwood and logs on the beach
- Submerged rocks in some areas
- Limited beach area at high tide
- Cold water year-round
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Reported as no at the spot; regional maritime rescue services are available in the wider Puget Sound area.
- Emergency Info
- St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor is the nearest major medical facility.
Rules of the spot
Respect park operating hours. Stay clear of commercial shipping lanes further out in the Sound.
- Access limited to park operating hours
- Check tide charts before heading down.
- At extreme high tides, there is almost no beach for landing or launching.
- Ensure you can handle currents; self-rescue may be difficult in downwind drift.
- High tide can be tricky with logs.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tacoma
- Nearest Town
- Olalla
- Parking
- Free parking at the Anderson Point County Park trailhead; parking lot at the end of Millihanna Road (driveway described as rocky dirt but accessible).
- Access
- From Tacoma, take Highway 16 northwest toward Purdy. Exit onto SE Burley Olalla Road, then SE Olalla Valley Road. Turn left onto SE Banner Road before a bridge. Follow as it curves north, then turn right onto Millihanna Road, which ends in a parking lot. Walk about 8–10 minutes to the point.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Olalla and hotels in Gig Harbor and Port Orchard.
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink at the beach; small grocery and deli in nearby Olalla.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anderson Point (Puget Sound)?
The best overall months at Anderson Point (Puget Sound) are January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, August, June, July. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Anderson Point (Puget Sound)?
Anderson Point (Puget Sound) works with N, NW, S, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Anderson Point (Puget Sound)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Anderson Point (Puget Sound): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Anderson Point (Puget Sound) suitable for?
Anderson Point (Puget Sound) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.