Lytle Beach
Lytle is the south-end beach: no-bank, gradually sloped, sandy-gravel, looking at Rich Passage. Bremerton ferries slide by. Sometimes a carrier or a sub headed into the yards. Sea lions on the Coast Guard buoy if you get lucky. Tiny parking. Not a walk from the ferry.
The Polar Bear Plunge is January 1 at noon — not a summer Saturday. Island-wide clocks: visitor guide.
At a glance
Where
Bill Point neighborhood, south end. Rich Passage, Mt. Rainier on a clear day.
Parking
About six cars at the road end. More along Pleasant Beach Road. It fills.
From Winslow
A south-end drive, near Lynwood. Not a walk. Car, or a booked ride.
Dogs
On leash. Pick up after them.
Plunge
January 1, noon. Bathing suit, in, out, blanket.
Directions
Address and map: Lytle Beach listing. This page is how to visit.
Six parking spots is not a suggestion.
Sunny Saturday, late morning, you will not get a stall. Have Fort Ward or Lynwood as the backup, or go earlier.
Beach, tides, plunge
Gradual slope. Easy entry compared with a cobble shore. Barbecues, paddle boards, and a fire pit have been left by other beachgoers — check that they are safe, or bring your own. Low tide is for sea life. High tide is a shorter beach.
Swimming is a Rich Passage swim: current, ferry wake, cold water. Kids who want a warmer harbor jump usually mean Hawley Cove, which is walkable from Winslow and a few degrees warmer in that pocket. Lytle is the view and the slope.
New Year’s Day at noon is the Polar Bear Plunge. Jugglers and a newspaper photographer sometimes show up. That is the event. A July Saturday is just a beach.
Getting there from the ferry
The Seattle ferry lands you in Winslow. Lytle is south, past Lynwood Center. There is no tourist bus. A car is the honest tool. BI Ride can get you to Pleasant Beach; confirm they will drop this road end. Taxi, Uber, Lyft otherwise.
Tides: tide chart. Getting around.
What else that day
Natural pair: lunch in Lynwood, then the beach, or the beach then the inn. Fort Ward is the next shoreline if Lytle’s six stalls are gone. Do not add Bloedel.
The Explore Bainbridge app
Live ferry, map from the dock, itineraries. Free. Download it on the boat. explorebainbridge.com.
FAQ
Where is Lytle Beach?
South end, Bill Point neighborhood, looking at Rich Passage. Gradual sandy-gravel slope. Bremerton ferries and, sometimes, Navy traffic. Not a walk from the ferry.
Is there parking?
About six cars at the road end. More along Pleasant Beach Road. This lot fills on sunny weekends. Have a backup beach.
When is the Polar Bear Plunge?
January 1 at noon. Bathing suit, in, out, blanket. Not a summer Saturday event.
Are dogs allowed?
On leash. Pick up after them. Tide matters for beachcombing.