Island Beach Access

Whidbey Island Sea Kayakers (WISK) – Round the Island Paddle #8: Clinton Beach Park to Glendale

General area of island: SOUTH

Nearest town or community: Clinton, WA

Point to Point launch sites: #54 Clinton Beach & Park to #55 Glendale

Difficulty: Skill level I-II depending on conditions

Paddle distance/time (one way): 2.5 mi

Access: Ref: Getting to the Water’s Edge

• Site #54: Clinton Beach Park Lat/Long: N 47: 58.498 W: 122: 21.048
  Located just N of the Clinton ferry. Limited parking at Clinton Park. Limited # spaces and 4 hr time limit but appears not to be strictly enforced. You must to carry your kayak over some logs to launch.
• Site #55: Glendale Lat/Long: N 47: 56.386 W: 122: 21.459
  Near the S. end of Hwy 525 just uphill from the ferry, turn R (South) onto Humphrey Rd. Drive S about 3 mi. to the bottom of the hill to Glendale and Seaway lane. Just upward from the channel and obvious launch site you will find a short gravel parking area between two houses. The tidelands in front of the parking area are private. Public access is a 30 ft road width only to the meander line.

Special features, attractions, points of interest, warnings: (e.g., best times to paddle, wildlife, scenery)
Pleasant short and relatively safe paddle. Good views from Mt Baker to Mt Rainier on a clear day (rare as that may be). Lots of shoreline homes to admire for about half the trip.

Going S., you will immediately encounter the ferry dock. Paddle under it except at very high tide. If you go around, stay well clear of the ferries. Ferries create severe backlash. The Columbia Beach houses to the south end about 1 mi. S. Go another 1.5 mi to the Glendale beach past undeveloped beaches. Best to go with the tide or a slack tide. Current goes N at 1.5-2.0 knots on an incoming tide from the S. Glendale Rd parking is limited and the tide-lines in front of the access are private. Fairly high access to the beach.

Optionally, and for a longer paddle, proceed S toward Possession Beach.

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

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