West Penn Cove and Twin Lagoons

WDFW Beach Season Information

West Penn Cove
Clam, mussel, and oyster seasons OPEN for harvest June 15 through September 30, 2024 only in the area of West Penn Cove from the property boundary at the Grasser's Lagoon access on Highway 20 to the dock extending across the tidelands from Captain Whidbey Inn on Madrona Road. Shoulder parking along Madrona Road is discouraged. Please use the Highway 20 or Madrona Road parking areas when accessing West Penn Cove. Please respect private property and do not cross private uplands to access the beach.

Twin Lagoons
Clam, mussel and oyster seasons OPEN for harvest year-round.
There is no direct upland access to Twin Lagoons. Harvesters may walk from the West Penn Cove parking area on Madrona Road. The boundary between West Penn Cove and Twin Lagoons is the dock that extends across the beach from the Captain Whidbey Inn (see Harvest profile below). Please respect private property and do not cross private uplands to access the beach.

WDFW shellfish seasons indicate the specific times of year when harvesting is permitted. Before heading to the beach, please also check the Department of Health (DOH) information below which is related to health of the shellfish and may be updated daily. To harvest on this beach, it must be both during the WDFW approved season and approved by the DOH.

Harvest profile

West Penn Cove and Twin Lagoons beaches (formerly known as North Penn Cove) are located at the base of Penn Cove on Whidbey Island. These two adjacent beaches cover a long stretch of beach, consisting of 4,376 feet of public shoreline. The boundary division between the two beaches is marked by the dock that extends from Captain Whidbey Inn on Madrona Road. Uplands south and east of the Madrona Road access (heading toward Coupeville) are private property. Please do not trespass on private uplands.

These beaches feature a variety of substrate types. The West Penn Cove section has a wide productive gravel-mud clam band, which narrows at points and widens in embayments. There is good digging for butter clams, native littleneck clams, cockles and horse clams on most of West Penn Cove. The littleneck clams tend to be higher on the beach, while the butter and horse clams are lower in the intertidal zone. The area below the north access trail at Grasser's Lagoon (Highway 20) is particularly good digging. This is an excellent site for harvesting mussels, primarily near the south Mueller's/Madrona Road access. Twin Lagoons tidelands are rocky and more challenging to dig but a small tideflat at the outflow for the Twin Lagoons provides good butter clam digging. Access to this area is by foot southward along the shoreline from the Madrona Road access. There is no direct upland access to Twin Lagoons.

Directions

There are two WDFW access sites for West Penn Cove. The north access is a gravel pullout just off of HWY 20, locally known as Grasser's Lagoon. From Oak Harbor, take HWY 20 South until you see Penn Cove. The pullout is on the left shoulder, just south of Zylstra Road and just north of Madrona Road. Public tidelands are to the right when you reach the end of a short trail.

To reach the south access site drive another one quarter mile south on HWY 20 and turn left onto Madrona Way. Go about one half mile and look for a small public parking lot on the left.  This access is locally known as Mueller's. This is the best parking area for foot access to Twin Lagoons. 

Parking

There are unpaved parking areas off Highway 20 at Grasser's Lagoon and Madrona Road. Parking along Madrona Road is discouraged for safety concerns. 

Facilities

During peak summer months a port-potty may be available at the south and north access points. Overnight parking is prohibited in both parking areas.