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You are here: Home / Dog Parks / Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island is Washington’s Best Off-Leash Area

Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island is Washington’s Best Off-Leash Area

April 20, 2018 by Seattle DogSpot 8 Comments

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A couple of weeks ago we took advantage of Western Washington’s first hot sunny day in months to shake off the lingering doldrums of Seattle’s wettest winter ever by taking dogs on a day trip to what I consider Washington’s best off-leash area: Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island.

About Double Bluff Beach

This is part of the on leash area. The red windsock in the background marks the beginning of the off leash beach.

This is part of the on leash area. The red windsock in the background marks the beginning of the off leash beach.

Nestled on the northern end of Useless Bay, Double Bluff Beach Off Leash Area is a tw0 mile expanse of unfettered beach bounded by Puget Sound and 200-foot cliffs.

On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and a sliver of downtown Seattle. Blue herons and bald eagles make frequent appearances as well.

Aside from the scenery, the best feature about the off leash area is that it is rarely crowded. We’ve never seen more than a handful of dogs there. We only saw 4 on this visit.

At low tide your dog will have a 200 yard swath of beach to explore to its heart’s content. At high tide the beach will be much narrower but your dog will still have plenty of room to roam.

Double Bluff Beach also has a grassy picnic area, viewing benches, rest rooms, doggie poop bags and a rinse station. A doggie drinking fountain is also available.

Be sure to keep your dog leashed in the on leash area or it could cost you a $500 fine.

Double Bluff Beach Dog Park

You should note that the off-leash area of the beach starts about 500 ft. from the picnic area. It’s marked by a red windsock on a flagpole.

Until you get to the windsock you must keep your dog on leash.

We saw dozens of people in this area hanging out, reading, and eating there, and they would not have appreciated an off leash dog bounding into the middle of their groups.

If you let your dog off leash before the windsock you could be subject to a $500 fine.

The beach has a small parking lot but it fills up quickly. If you can’t find a place you can park on the side of the road leading to the beach.

 

Tips for Visiting Double Bluff Beach with Dogs:

  • Bring water. Between the salt water and sand your dog will get thirsty quickly.
  • Go early on days with nice weather. You’ll avoid crowds in the on leash area and be able to park close to the beach entrance.
  • Don’t go if you can’t control your dog. The beach isn’t fenced so if you can’t recall your dog it could take off and run for miles or bother other dogs/people that may not want company.
  • Watch your step. You’ll have to walk on rocks and algae in some parts of the beach, especially at low tide.
  • Bring towels. Your dog will get wet when it plays on the beach and/or you spray it down after the walk to rinse of the sand and salt.

    Double Bluff Beach at low tide

    At low tide the beach triples in size.

Directions to Double Bluff Off Leash Dog Beach

Note: This is an easy day trip from Seattle!

Take I-5 north to the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry exit and follow the signs to the Mukilteo ferry terminal. (45 minutes)

Take the ferry from Mukiteo to Clinton on Whidbey Island. They run every half hour during the day. (20 mins)

Go north on SR525, turn left onto Double Bluff Road, follow to the end into the parking area for the park. (20 mins)

Depending on traffic and how long you have to wait for the ferry, the trip can take 90 minutes (if there’s no traffic and you don’t have to wait for the ferry) to 2-1/2 hours.

Do yourself and your dog a favor and visit this crown jewel of Washington off leash dog parks.

Miguel and Haley approach one of the few dogs we saw. You can see Mt. Rainier in the background.

Miguel and Haley approach one of the few dogs we saw. You can see Mt. Rainier in the background.

 

Miguel meeting a new friend at the dog beach on Whidbey Island

Miguel has a meet and greet with one of the few dogs we saw.

 

Haley making Friends at the dog beach

And Haley does the same with its friend.

 

After dispersing with the formalities the dogs have a play session.

After dispersing with the formalities the dogs have a play session.

 

Dogs at Beach on Whidbey Island

A break in the action.

 

Haley and Miguel take a break to cool off in Puget Sound

Haley and Miguel take a break to cool off.

 

Haley finds her ball amid the rocks and shells.

Haley finds her ball amid the rocks and shells.

 

Miguel at a dog beach near Seattle

Miguel spots a lone dog in the distance.

 

Solitude at Double Bluff Beach

For most of our walk we had the entire beach to ourselves.

 

Looking into the Puget Sound from Whidbey Island

Another stunning view.

 

Haley takes a break. The Olympic Mountains are in the background.

Haley takes a break. The Olympic Mountains are in the background.

 

 

 

Miguel gives Double Bluff Off-Leash Dog Park two (non-opposable) thumbs up!

Miguel gives Double Bluff Off-Leash Dog Park two (non-opposable) thumbs up!

 

Haley loved her first trip to Double Bluff Beach.

Haley loved her first trip to Double Bluff Beach.

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Filed Under: Dog Parks Tagged With: Dog Parks

Comments

  1. Elise says

    July 24, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    Shh, You’re giving away one of our best secret places to take our dogs here on the rock???? So glad you and your pups had a fun time. It’s a special and beautiful place and my two rescue dogs love going there as well. When the weather is nice the weekends can be crazy!
    See you on the beach….

    Reply
    • Seattle DogSpot says

      July 25, 2017 at 9:55 am

      Sorry! Yes, on weekends it’s best to get there early.

      Reply
      • Elise says

        July 25, 2017 at 7:36 pm

        I’m sorry, I was trying to be funny!! Please come visit the rock again soon???? and don’t forget to bring the pups!!

        Reply
        • Seattle DogSpot says

          July 26, 2017 at 8:14 am

          No problem, so was I!

          Reply
  2. Kristin says

    April 20, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    Any cute places nearby to stay the night and is dog friendly?

    Reply
    • Seattle DogSpot says

      April 23, 2018 at 7:01 am

      Here’s a good list. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g58824-zfa9-Whidbey_Island_Washington-Hotels.html

      Reply
  3. Steve says

    January 26, 2020 at 8:45 am

    Great Place , but if you have small dogs be aware Eagles are seen flying around and can make lunch of your beloved little one, so keep them close and don’t let them wonder any distance from you !

    Reply
    • Seattle DogSpot says

      January 26, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Good point, thanks.

      Reply

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