Samish Bay is a coastal bay in northern Puget Sound, Washington, offering paddling routes with views of the San Juan Islands and Chuckanut Mountain. The bay is characterized by extensive tidal flats, which become exposed at low tide, requiring paddlers to plan launches and landings carefully to avoid long treks across mud. Access for hand-carried craft is available at several points. The Samish Island Recreation Area provides one official beach access point with a trail down to the shore, free parking, and portable toilets. On the mainland, Larrabee State Park's Wildcat Cove features a concrete boat launch suitable for kayaks, with a large parking area, though a launch fee applies; the access gate there locks at dusk. Another potential launch for exploring the bay's northern shoreline is from the Community Boating Center in Fairhaven, which offers a more urban starting point.

Tidal currents are a significant factor, especially near the mouth of the Samish River, where river outflow can create strong currents. Paddlers report that an ebbing tide can assist progress when heading into the bay from the river. Wind is a major safety consideration, as strong winds from the south or west can funnel into the bay, creating waves, particularly where the wind opposes the current; the leeward side of Samish Island can provide protection. The bay is also used for commercial oyster farming, with visible oyster beds. Wildlife sightings are common, including large wintering populations of ducks and snow geese in the adjacent Skagit River delta, harbor seals, bald eagles, and various species of jellyfish. The water quality at monitored locations like Wildcat Cove is tracked, and paddlers should be aware of shellfish harvest regulations. The overall experience combines open bay paddling, intricate shoreline exploration along sandstone formations, and connection to a major river system, demanding respect for tides, wind, and mud.