Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #11: Maxwellton Beach to Double Bluff

General area of island: SOUTH – West side

Nearest town or community: Clinton and/or Bayview, WA

Point to Point launch sites: #52: Dave Mackie Park (Maxwellton)
#44: Double Bluff Beach
# 46 Sunlight Beach Access

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 5.5 mi. shoreline route. Shorter if direct route is taken

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

Site #52: Dave Mackie Park (Maxwellton) Lat/Long: N 47: 56.357 W: 122: 26.670
Proceed S. from Hwy 525 down Maxwellton Rd about 5 Mi. Ample parking, picnic areas, and ball fields. Shifting sands necessitate carrying kayaks from the launch across a sand bar, particularly at low tides, but not unpleasant.
Site #44: Double Bluff Beach Lat/Long: N 47: 58.910 W: 122: 30.850
Take Hwy 525 to Double Bluff Rd. Follow 2 mi. to parking lot.
Site #46: Sunlight Beach Access Lat/Long: N 47: 59.456 W: 122: 28.924
From Hwy 525, to S onto Bayview Rd. Turn R onto Sunlight Beach Rd. Proceed 0.9 mi. Site is between the house at 2440 E. Sunlight Beach Rd and the one at 2436 E. Sunlight Beach Rd. Looks like an empty lot. Do not park on Sunlight Beach Rd or in front of any homes.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
A pleasant paddle from either direction. Good views of shipping lanes and Olympics. Paddling N from Maxwellton is the preferred direction if there is a south-westerly wind and outgoing tide. Following the shoreline is more interesting, while the shortest distance is a more diagonal direction to the Dbl Bluff parking area. Be warned that at low tide, one must carry your kayak quite a distance over sandy terrain to get to the parking area. Plan to launch or take out at Double Bluff at or close to high tide.

An alternative take-out or put-in point is a small public launch in the Sunlight Beach area. It is located between 2 beach houses and may be difficult to locate. See above description. Crossing from E to W along Useless Bay close to shore can be an exciting and exhilarating with a moderate to strong southerly wind. Safe because one is always close to shore in shallow water, but challenging to stay afloat with strong wind coming at 90 degrees to your kayak.

KAYAKING SKILL LEVEL MATRIX (from Hole in the Wall Paddling Club newsletter)

	SKI	SKII	SKIII	SKIV	SKV	SKVI
Geography (fetch: distance of unimpeded wind)	Protected from wind & waves	Fetch less than 10 nautical miles	Fetch more than 10 nautical miles	Crossings up to 5 nautical miles	Crossings over 5 nautical miles	Landings may be impossible
Hydraulics	Insignificant currents	Max current 1 knot	Max current 2 knots	Currents above 2 knots	Currents faster than paddle speed	Anything possible
Route	Day trips nearshore	Crossings less than 1 nautical mile	Eddy lines & tiderips possible	Strong eddy lines, tiderips & boils	Possible launching & landing in surf	Anything possible
Possible conditions	Calm	Winds less than 10 knots	Wind possibility more than 10 knots	Steep waves, swells & wind over 15 knots	Foul weather, whitecaps and fast current	Rescues may be impossible
Skills & expertise	Willing to learn	Wet exits and rescues	Group & self rescue; bracing	Reflexive bracing, navigation	All skills plus roll recommended	Extensive surfing

Information supplied by Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers – May the kelp be with you.