The Puget Sound is easily one of the most fun places in the PNW just go get lost in. From the islands to the fjords (yes Poulsbo I am giving you your shout out) the shining sapphire waters are stunning during the summer and drive amazing winds during the winter!
Jetty Island:
Beginner +
West Wind
Onshore
I am mentioning this before anything else because I have seen it here a few times, but leave the wildlife alone! I am adding a special emphasis on baby seals which will sometimes hang out on the island who may be exhausted. Let a ranger know at the station there and move on, but do not bother the little adorable water puppies.
Sitting just north of the largest city in our region and completely ignored by most people but locals and kiters is the summer gem of the Puget Sound, Jetty Island. Jetty is a small spit of land that sits just west of the Everett Naval Station and newly developed waterfront area with a few restaurants and bars. There is a boat launch right across the channel from the island and sometimes during the year a ferry does run, but your best bet is to have a watercraft like a paddle board or kayak to cross the small channel with. Pay for parking there (like $5 or something, what could a banana even cost?) then head down to the south side of the launch where you can put in your personal adventure craft. Paddle across the channel watching out for our aquatic friends and boat traffic, and head for the section of the island north of the boat dock and floaties. You’ll see a chain and a way to the sand or rocks and a small path up. Drag your watercraft up into the grass above to rocks so the tide doesn’t sweep it away then walk west with your kite gear until you hit the beach. During the summer months head to the north side of the beach to avoid swimmers and you’re in the money. The whole experience is actually kind of fun, with a short paddle and hike it gives you a small taste of that PNW adventure spirit.
Jetty works on a westerly which is caused by a thermal from hotter temperatures inland from the Puget Sound. I honestly used to check a couple forecast sites, but also just looked to see if Lake Stevens was getting noticeably hotter than the Everett Waterfront which would indicate the thermal starting to work and wind on it’s way and that usually made it worth the paddle over. It is mostly a light wind spot, with folks flying larger kites and flatter water, but it extends far to the west on the right tide and seems like it is waist deep for a hundred yards or more. It is, in my opinion, the absolute best place to learn how to kite. The steady thermal wind is just enough to really get your bearings and the shallow water gives it a very forgiving nature. It’s not uncommon to see many folks out there during the summer and the crowd is incredibly friendly and helpful to newbies. Don’t ever be hesitant to ask for tips or a launch! My first endorsement of two will go to The Kite Lesson which teaches here at Jetty. They are positively lovely people and world class instructors that will dedicate themselves to your safety and progress.
Jetty also has a nice little pond that forms where riders have access to some truly epic flat water and can showcase their skills. The pond sits right on the other side of the sound from a small sand dune which blocks the wind and gives the perfect conditions for honing and showcasing your freestyle prowess. Watch out for logs that sometimes float in there but otherwise hit it up and go ham! After the session you can paddle back over and watch the sunset while seals laze about on the dock, or hit up one of the restaurants from some beers and post session stoke.
Double Bluff:
Beginner/Intermediate+
Southerly
Onshore
Double Bluff sits on the southern end of Whidby Island and is about as different as you can get from it’s kindly neighbor Jetty Island. While Jetty works in the summer, DB takes over when the weather gets cold and gives you a taste of why the PNW can be so exhilarating. To get to DB you take the Mukilteo to Whidby Island ferry then follow your nose (jk follow maps) to the Beach Park to DB. There is a launch their now coordinated by the Beach Club and you can hit them up on Facebook to ask about it and get more current conditions. DB in general is gustier and much stronger wind than Jetty, but can be very fun and the waves can really stack up to form nice kickers as they do on other parts of the island. Keep a weather (ha ha see what I did there?) eye out for debris which can sometimes wash up into the shallower areas and the updraft which can sit near the high cliffs.
Quite a few folks ride here during the winter and it really provides an amazing spot close to home to allow the Seattle crowd some winter kiting. As with anywhere, respect the area and be aware of your surroundings when on the water, but also don’t be shy about asking around about conditions or for pointers. I have found kiters in general to be some of the nicest people around and the Puget Sound really has a great group of folks that takes that to another level. On really good days you’ll see some of the team riders there throwing airs which make you wonder if it is still considered kiting anymore, or just flying.