Woodley Island is a tantalizing land
form visible from the city of Humboldt's waterfront. The very small island
contains Woodley Island Marina, Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and
Conservation District U.S. Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers offices, Cafe
Marina with fantastic food served indoors or on the sunny patio, W.I. Ship
Shop, Celtic Charter Service, Baysail Tours and Hum-Boats Rentals.
In
addition to the marina activities and recreation, the island is home to a
locally-known landmark statue called The Fisherman, plus Table Bluff
Lighthouse dating from 1892.
As you drive to Woodley Island (though
a kiosk announces there's a water taxi that we did not see), you'll find
ample parking so you can get out and wander along the waterfront on a great
paved walking path. If exercise is not your thing, visit the all-purpose
store called W.I. Ship Shop that sells souvenir gifts and lots of useful
items locals need when they depart from the marina for fishing trips.
You can't escape the aroma of fresh,
cooked fish as you stroll near the door of the nautical-themed restaurants,
Cafe Marina, a great place to have a casual waterfront meal. If you're on
your way to nearby Samoa Cookhouse, however, you better hold off because the
cookhouse has served lumberjack-style (big) meals for over 100 years and
will be more than enough food to fill you up.
While on Woodley Island, one of the
highlights is a statue called The Fisherman. The statue honors those "whom
the sea sustained...and those it claimed." The statue was sponsored by the
Commercial Fishermens Wives of Humboldt through community donations. It was
dedicated in 1981.
Another dedication held to commemorate
the Massacre of Wiyot native Americans on the west end of Woodley Island in
what's called "Indian Island" is held annually in February. Come rain or
shine, folks from the community light a fire and candles are subsequently
lit symbolically from the first fire as prayer and song, poems and other
tributes are performed. In May of 2004, The Eureka City Council voted
unanimously to return 40 acres, comprising the northeastern tip of Indian
Island to the Wiyot Tribe. 140 years after a momentous massacre that took
the lives of many natives, this World Renewal Ceremony offers the first step
in efforts to restore to the island to a Wiyot tribal ground. Over 500 Wiyot
people attend the annual Candelight Vigil, and invite the entire community
and visitors to attend.
Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and
Conservation District
U.S. Coast Guard
Corps of Engineers
Cafe Marina
W.I. Ship Shop
Celtic Charter Service
Woodley Island Marina plaque commemorates the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation
and Conservation District 1981 dedication of the marina. Engineers on the
project were Winzler and Kelly.
Hum-Boats Rentals claims to be the
Redwood Coast's finest Kayak and Canoe specialist, certified by the ACA and
BCU, catering to all levels of paddlers. You can arrange your kayak rental
by calling (707) 443-5157. Woodley Island Marina, Dock A, Eureka,
California. humboats.com
For information about Woodley Island
in Eureka, California and Humboldt County, home of the giant redwood trees,
contact the Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau, at 800-346-2482. |
