Small Craft Boating at Brownsville

The Brownsville Yacht Club welcomes all kinds of boaters. Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats, sailing dinghies and other small craft are every bit as much a part of our boating community as the larger sail and power boats in the marina. Whether you’re an experienced paddler, learning to sail, or simply looking for another way to get out on the water, Brownsville is a great place to start.
 

A Great Place to Launch and Explore

Located on sheltered Burke Bay along the Port Orchard Passage, Brownsville provides convenient access to some wonderful small-boat cruising waters. From here, paddlers and sailors can explore the nearby shoreline, head toward Illahee and Bremerton, cross toward Bainbridge Island when conditions permit, or make Brownsville a stop on a longer journey through Puget Sound.
 

The Port of Brownsville has a two-lane public boat ramp, ample vehicle and trailer parking, waterfront and upland parks, picnic areas, restrooms and showers, and food and provisions just steps from the water. The combination makes Brownsville equally useful as a starting point for a day on the water or as an overnight destination.
 

A Cascadia Marine Trail Stop

Brownsville is also an official Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) Cascadia Marine Trail site. The Cascadia Marine Trail is a National Recreation Trail extending more than 140 miles through Puget Sound, with a network of shoreline access points and campsites intended for people traveling by small, beachable, human- or wind-powered watercraft.
 

For paddlers and small-boat sailors traveling the trail, the Port of Brownsville provides designated camping in Burke Bay Overlook Park, immediately above the marina. The site includes five designated campsites, potable water and restroom access, with showers and laundry available at the Port. The landing is on the beach adjacent to the marina, making Brownsville an unusually well-equipped overnight stop for water-trail travelers.
 

Camping is available to travelers arriving by human- or wind-powered beachable watercraft and is subject to Port of Brownsville and WWTA rules and fees. Visit the Washington Water Trails Association and Port of Brownsville websites for current information before your trip.
 

Join Us

You don't need a large boat—or any particular kind of boat—to be part of the Brownsville Yacht Club. Our members come from all walks of life and share a common interest in getting out on the water, learning from one another, making new friends and enjoying this special corner of Puget Sound.

If your boating involves a paddle, a pair of oars, or a small sail, you'll fit right in at Brownsville.