Double Bluff Beach and Off-Leash Area
Markus posing in front of driftwood that’s been pushed together on Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island
About Double Bluff Beach and Off-Leash Area
Type: Off-Leash Dog Beach
Size: Large
Enclosed: Partially
Doors: Single fence door
Traffic: Low
Markus standing on a plank that’s being lifted up by another log on Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island
On one of our recent visits to Whidbey Island, we made a stop at Double Bluff Beach and Off-Leash Area and we were pleasantly surprised! This beach was very calm with an amazing view and at the time we went, it wasn't busy at all. It is a beach, so keep in mind that there aren't really any trails to take, but a 2-mile-long open area for your dog to run freely.
To get to the beach, you need to first cut through the off-leash dog area. I thought this area was a little bit strange (unless I was missing something) because you have to enter a gate to get through to the beach, but the beach of the designated off-leash area connects to the rest of the beach anyway. While there's a designated off-leash area, everything is connected through the beach, so it's a soft boundary. Regardless, the gate prevents dogs from running onto the parking lot, which is necessary.
Markus getting his feet wet at Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island
When we made this stop, we certainly didn't expect there to be so much to do. For starters, the view was great. From the beach, you get a view that looks out into Puget Sound, which was very calm. It was also low tide so Markus, who generally doesn't like water, was able to step in and get his feet wet in one of the pockets of water.
The beach itself goes down for a while and you can keep walking with your dog along it. Markus was content just playing around the beginning area where there were plenty of driftwood. He loves to leap around the logs and look underneath them as if he's hunting for something. Treasure maybe? A lot of these logs have also been piled up by humans in a very intentional way, which looks great in photos!
Markus posing in front of more driftwood structures on Double Bluff Beach on Whidbey Island
If you needed a stop somewhere on Whidbey Island, we'd highly recommend making one here at Double Bluff Beach and Off-Leash Area. There's a rinse station on the way out, which is great since your dog will be sandy after running around, but still remember to bring your towel!
What we liked
The view is amazing from the beach.
There are picnic areas, restrooms and a rinse station in case your doggy is sandy.
There's a drinking fountain for dogs.
The driftwood and logs are a lot of fun for dogs and they make for great photos.
What we didn’t like
The off-leash boundaries weren't very clear, though it wasn't busy enough for it to matter anyway.
Our Recommendation for Reactive Dogs
For reactive dogs, my recommendation is to look out for the off-leash area because it's not closed off. There were also off-leash dogs beyond the designated area, but that is to be expected. We did come on a weekday, so it certainly wasn't as busy, but it's still a massive beach and there are plenty of space to avoid other dogs if you needed to. I would suggest for you to go down a little bit further from the off-leash park and you should be fine.
Disclaimer
Markus is a reactive, but not aggressive dog. His instinct is to avoid other dogs and he may growl, bark or lunge if provoked, but will not attack. We normally do not have issues with leashed dogs when both sides are controlled, but we will be on guard when an oncoming dog is not leashed. There are varying levels to a dog’s reactivity and only you can decide if this park, trail or hotel is appropriate for your dog. Our visits generally will not include off-leash areas; most experiences shared on The Markus Project are within leashed or undefined areas.
Please remember that our past experience visiting a park, trail or hotel may not be the same as your experience at the same park, trail or hotel. We have no control of who visits the park and whether they adhere to park rules - like leashing their dogs on leash-required paths - or not. Please use your discretion with the information provided and with your personal knowledge of your dog’s reactivity when visiting these parks, trails or hotels.
