Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #12: Double Bluff to Mutiny Bay

General area of island: SOUTH – West side

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

Point to Point launch sites: #44: Double Bluff Beach to #42 Mutiny Bay Boat Launch

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): ): 4.4 mi. (Mutiny Bay � Double Bluff parking area)

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

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 #42: Mutiny Bay Boat Launch. Lat/Long: N 47: 59.599 W: 122: 32.458
Take Hwy 525 to traffic light at Freeland, turn W onto Fish Rd. Turn L onto Mutiny Bay Rd. Turn R. onto Robinson Rd. and proceed to launch site. Nice launch site with ample parking is available about a block from the launch.
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 under most circumstances. May encounter current/wind around Dbl Bluff Point. Incoming tide push after one passes Double Bluff end point can be fun. Observe the eroding Double Bluff cliffs. If proceeding S, can exit at Dbl Bluff parking area (Just W of Useless Bay houses or head east to Sunset Beach at E. end). Useless Bay is quite shallow at low tide, so getting to the shore may be a long walk. Plan to launch or take out at Double Bluff at or close to high tide or choose Sunlight Beach access.

Mutiny Bay is loaded with fish during migrations. Humpy (pink salmon) runs every other odd year can make good conditions for kayak fishing.

Good views of shipping lanes and Olympics. Excellent sunset paddle site.

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.