17 Best Things to Do on Whidbey Island You Can’t Miss

When you need a quick place to relax and get away from the city, you’ll love Whidbey Island! This beautiful island is just a short, scenic ferry ride away from Mukilteo, yet it feels like a world away. There are so many things to do on Whidbey Island, and I keep discovering new ones every year. It’s the ideal day trip from Seattle when you’re looking for something to do.

I consider myself a bit of a Whidbey Island expert – my in-laws have a house here, so I’ve been a frequent visitor to Whidbey Island for over 20 years now. In fact, I’m so in love with this place that I even got married at a beautiful venue in Langley! I’ve brought many friends here over the years in every season because there’s always some kind of event going on, and everyone looks forward to finding out which new store or winery has opened.

Whether you’re trying to escape the Seattle summer heat or planning a romantic getaway, Whidbey Island has something for everyone. And if you’re wondering whether it works as a day trip, the Mukilteo ferry is about 30 minutes north of Seattle, and the crossing is only 20 minutes. A solid day trip would be Deception Pass in the morning, lunch in Coupeville, a brewery stop in the afternoon, and back on the ferry before the evening rush.

That said, if you can swing a night or two in Langley, the island has a completely different energy once the day trippers leave. Quieter, slower, and way more charming.

1. Visit Deception Pass State Park

One of the most visited state parks is Deception Pass State Park, so you’ll want to put this on your Whidbey Island itinerary. This should be high on your list of what to do in the Pacific Northwest if you haven’t been here yet.

The bridge connects Whidbey Island to the mainland, and many people pull off to the side to walk on the sidewalks on the bridge to see the famous whirlpools that form in the water in Deception Pass. Just be careful when walking by the road, as cars constantly whiz by.

You can go on the hiking trails and even camp here in the summer when looking for things to do on Whidbey Island. This is one of the more popular things to see on Whidbey Island, so you might have to share the road with others.

One of my favorite activities in the area is to go on a guided kayaking tour, as you’ll see the area from a whole new perspective. The last time I went, I had seals and porpoises curiously following my group around, and it was such a fun experience.

Address: 41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

2. Explore a Historic Fort at Fort Casey State Park

History lovers will enjoy stopping by Fort Casey State Park in Coupeville, as this is one of the most educational things to do on Whidbey Island. While the fort was never used in an actual battle, it was built in the late 1800s to train officers and soldiers.

You can walk around, on top of, and in some parts of the fort that are still open to the public, making it one of the most popular Whidbey Island attractions. People of all ages will enjoy this, but it’s one of the top fun things to do on Whidbey Island for kids who need to get their energy out.

My toddler loved exploring the fort and then running on the grass after, and it’s fun to put on a day trip to Whidbey Island. He now requests to go back here when we visit because he thinks it’s so cool to run in and out of all the rooms and see the giant cannons.

Note: A Discover Pass is required to enter here, so buy yours ahead of time to save time and money.

Address: 1280 Engle Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239

3. Go Wine Tasting Around the Island

One of the huge draws to planning a Whidbey Island trip is how many wineries are on the island. You could spend the whole weekend wine tasting on Whidbey Island, as there are about a dozen different places to go. This is also one of the most romantic things to do on Whidbey Island if you’re trying to impress someone.

I always prefer wine tasting on Sundays because the wineries tend to be less crowded than on Saturdays. Pick out a few that you want to visit and enjoy taking your time sampling the wine during your Whidbey Island trip.

Some let you sit outside and enjoy the sun as well, which is perfect in the summer. Many wineries are also dog-friendly, but call ahead of time to confirm. Wine tasting is easily one of the best Whidbey Island activities, no matter what the season.

Here are some of my favorite wineries to visit when looking for fun things to do on Whidbey Island:

• Spoiled Dog Winery: I go to this winery almost every time I’m in town, as I love the property. The vineyards are right on the property, with several outdoor areas to taste wine. They’ll often have you pair chocolate with wine, which I always love.
• Holmes Harbor Cellars: This winery has won many awards for its wine, and when you go wine tasting, you’ll see why. They have an outdoor patio that overlooks Holmes Harbor and a friendly cockapoo who will greet you when you come.
• Dancing Fish Vineyards: This winery makes it easy to spend an afternoon or evening here, as they have live music regularly and lawn games. They recently started making rosé, but it’s become so popular that it was sold out when I was there.
• Comforts of Whidbey: This is a bed and breakfast on Whidbey Island but also a winery, and I love coming here. Even if you’re not staying there, stop by to try their wine and enjoy a glass while sitting out on the spacious deck.

4. Shop in Downtown Langley 

One of my favorite things about the islands in the area, like Orcas Island, is that there are always cute boutique stores to visit. You’ll also find wine-tasting shops and plenty of restaurants and cafes in downtown Langley that you’ll want to put on your Whidbey Island itinerary. It’s by far one of the best small towns in Washington, so you’ll want to stop here for a bit.

Langley is often considered “downtown Whidbey Island,” as it’s the most popular city on the island, and the area is one of the best islands near Seattle.

Check out Sweet Mona’s for delicious fudge, or head over to the Star Store if you’re looking to stock up on healthy food for the weekend. The Chocolate Flower Farm is a place to buy all things chocolate, from chocolate-scented candles to chocolate jam.

5. Sample Local Beer

While Whidbey may get a reputation as a wine lover’s paradise, they still have beer connoisseurs covered. There were barely any breweries when I started coming here 15 years ago, and that’s changed a lot since then.

I do love spending an afternoon at a winery, but Whidbey breweries are always where we take our friends when we go with a group. They’re a bit more laid-back and also have cider options at most places, so there’s something for almost everyone.

Here are some of the Whidbey Island breweries that I go to over and over:

• Double Bluff Brewing Company is in downtown Langley and is perfect when you need a break from shopping
• Thirsty Crab Brewery is just a few minutes up the hill when you get off the ferry in Clinton, and has a large, covered patio as well as outdoor chairs around a fire pit
• Wicked Teuton Brewing Company is in Oak Harbor and has almost two dozen beers on tap
• Taproom @ Bayview Corner isn’t officially a brewery, but I had to include it because I’ve been here dozens of times (I even ended my wedding night here), and I love all the local beer on tap

6. Walk Around Coupeville

Coupeville is another Whidbey Island must-see, and I always recommend everyone stop here in addition to Langley. Located in the middle of the island, the area has plenty of restaurants, shops, and amazing waterfront views, making it ideal to put on your Washington bucket list.

When you’re ready for lunch or dinner, check out Front Street Grill. This is the best restaurant in the area for waterfront dining if you want fresh, local seafood. If you’re looking for a more casual place, I always love visiting Toby’s Tavern. This building has been around since 1890 and is the perfect place to get a pint of beer and fish and chips.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, make sure to get ice cream from the famous Kapaws Iskreme. After, you can walk down the wooden pier to visit the shops at the end and get some beautiful pictures (try coming here at sunset!).

If you love mussels, you won’t want to miss the famous Penn Cove Musselfest, which takes place every March in the town and lets you sample a handful of local restaurants’ take on mussel chowder. I always make sure to get tickets to this, as it’s fun to taste the chowders, have my kids do the scavenger hunt, and stop by the beer garden to listen to local music. Our whole family looks forward to this Coupeville event every year.

7. Go Out on the Tide Flats at Langley Beach

There are many accessible beaches around the island that you can go to when the tide goes out. You’ll find plenty of crabs, starfish, and more lounging in the pools of water. I do this almost every time I visit, as it’s one of the best free things to do on Whidbey Island if you like exploring.

Langley Beach is the perfect place to go, as anyone can access the beach by going down the stairs on 1st Street. You’ll want to check the tide chart for low-tide days, as it’s always amazing how far you can walk out.

You may also see whales passing through if you’re there at the times of the year when they’re migrating. I can’t tell you how many times whales have been in the waters on the same weekend I’ve been there. If you want to find them, you can take a whale-watching tour, as many hang out around the south end of the island.

Address: Stairs off 1st St, Langley, WA 98260

8. Hike Ebey’s Landing

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I always try to get a hike in wherever I go, whether that’s a winter hike in Washington or an easy Washington hike. There are several hikes you can do around the island, and most are easy for the majority of skill levels. This makes them one of the top things to do on Whidbey Island if you want to be active.

My favorite Whidbey hike is Ebey’s Landing, which is at Ebey’s Landing State Park, is 5.6 miles round-trip, and has an elevation gain of 260 feet. You’ll get beautiful views of the water along the trail, and I always find it very relaxing.

While I would consider it kid-friendly, the trail is narrow in parts and goes along the cliff. That said, I would make sure your children are at an age where they can listen and not run off, or you can wear them if they’re young enough. Our kid was small enough that we had him on my husband’s shoulders when we went, just to be safe.

Note: You do need a Discover Pass to park here (or you can pay the daily fee).

Buy your Discover Pass in advance so you don’t need to pay at the trailhead.

Address: Ebey’s Landing Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239

9. Visit Greenbank Farm

One of my favorite things to do on Whidbey Island when friends come with me is to bring them to Greenbank Farm. This former farm now has a restaurant that serves some amazing food and even better pies (you’ll want to get one to go!).

You can also taste wine while you’re here or shop for local crafts. The holidays are a particularly fun time to visit the farm, so they have great gifts to give others. There are also two art galleries if you want to spend an afternoon looking around.

Address: 765 Wonn Rd, Greenbank, WA 98253

10. Wander Through Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens

If you’ve never been to Meerkerk Gardens, this one needs to go on your list immediately. It’s a 50-acre rhododendron garden and woodland in Greenbank, and it’s one of the most peaceful spots on the entire island. You’ll find walking trails, reflection ponds, and more blooms than you can take in on a single visit.

Spring is the obvious time to go when the rhododendrons are at peak bloom, but I’ve been in other seasons too, and it’s always worth a stop. Admission is a suggested $10 donation for adults and free for kids under 13. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and it’s open every day from 9 am to 5 pm (4 pm in winter). It’s right off Highway 525 at the Resort Road exit in Greenbank, so it fits naturally into a drive up or down the island.

Address: 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank, WA, 98253

11. Attend the Whidbey Island Fair

Going to the Whidbey Island Fair was one of the first things I did on Whidbey Island, and I’ve been back at least a dozen times since. This tends to happen during the last week of July each year, and it’s well worth planning your visit to Whidbey Island around it.

They take over the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds to sell a variety of fair food (we always get the giant plate of curly fries), host live events to watch, and set up tons of educational exhibits.

Now that I have two little boys, it’s been so much fun to see the world through their eyes. They dance to live music, ride all the amusement rides, and love looking at the animal exhibits. The Fair is something we’ll keep going to year after year.

Address: 819 Camano Ave, Langley, WA 98260

12. Kayak Saratoga Passage

One of the more unique things to do on Whidbey Island is that you can kayak virtually around the whole island (although that would take quite a while). However, Saratoga Passage (which runs between east Whidbey and west Camano) is the best, in my opinion, as the water tends to be calmer here and you have a chance of seeing whales.

I love going out on the water in the summer with a snack packed and exploring the ocean for a bit. You can even kayak across the water to Camano Island at some of the accessible beach points (which is also worth a separate trip to explore all the Camano Island activities there).

As always, make sure you practice water safety by wearing a life jacket, preferably with someone else, and watching out for larger boats passing by. You’ll likely see curious seals following you in the water and, if you’re really lucky, a whale.

13. Indulge in Ramen at Ultra House

Ramen has become one of the more popular foods in Seattle, with tons of restaurants popping up. However, Langley’s Ultra House puts them all to shame, as they have the best ramen I’ve ever had. My tofu ramen paired with sake made for one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had on the island.

This place has become pretty popular, so I recommend having either an early or late dinner if you want to stop by. Grab a seat outside on their patio when it’s sunny out.

Address: 221 Second Street #9A, Langley, WA 98260

14. Fly Kites at Fort Casey

Make sure to bring your kite when you visit Fort Casey, as it’s one of the best places to fly kites. There’s a big, open field right next to the ocean, so the wind really comes through here. My kids used to love watching others fly kites, but now we have our own kites that we bring with us on trips.

I also recommend bringing a large blanket to sit on and have a picnic, as it’s an ideal spot to take a break from your exploration.

15. Catch Crabs and Mussels

Whidbey restaurants are known for delicious seafood, which is thanks to the prevalence of crabbing and harvesting mussels in the nearby waters. We love going out on a boat to drop crab pots and coming back later in the day to find that dinner is ready. Nothing tastes better than fresh crab dipped in garlic butter, especially in the summertime.

You can find out more information online about how to crab or fish and when the season is open.

Looking for another ocean getaway? You’ll love all the things to do on San Juan Island.

16. Play Chess at Bayview Corner

One of the most kid-friendly things to do on Whidbey Island is to visit this giant chess set located at Bayview Corner. It’s so funny to see my boys play this, because my husband and I have been coming here for years to play with our friends. We’d have a few beers at the Taproom @ Bayview Corner and then try our best at playing chess.

You’ll love stopping here, as it’s one of the best places to visit on Whidbey Island.

Address: Bayview Corner, Langley, WA 98260

17. Explore South Whidbey State Park

Address: 4128 S Smugglers Cove Rd, Freeland, WA 98249

South Whidbey State Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours, as it has tons of hiking trails through the woods in an old-growth forest. You also have beach access here, so you can make sand castles or explore the tide flats.

I love that there are picnic shelters here, so you can have lunch when it’s a bit too hot or drizzling. There are over 381 acres here, so there’s no shortage of places to visit here, and it’s a great family-friendly thing to do on Whidbey Island.

Map of Things to Do on Whidbey Island

Here’s a visual look at all these activities on Whidbey Island.

How to Get to Whidbey Island

There are three ways to get to Whidbey Island, which include the following:

Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry

The most common way is by ferry, and if you’re coming from Seattle to Whidbey Island, you’ll head to the Mukilteo ferry (about 30 minutes north) to take the 15-minute ferry ride to the south end of Whidbey Island to the town of Clinton. You can check out the ferry on the WSDOT website.

Similar to visiting Bainbridge Island, you can’t make a reservation, so it’s first-come, first-served. It is important to note that the ferry line gets very backed up during holidays and summer months at peak hours, with waits of two or even three hours. My best advice is to go during off-hours, such as late at night on a Thursday or early in the morning on Friday.

It’s worth noting that WA State Ferries has had ongoing vessel shortages in recent years, which can lead to reduced sailings and longer waits even outside peak times. Always check the WSDOT website before you head out so you know what to expect (you can even see live webcams of how long the wait is).

If you’re not able to avoid the busy times, bring a good book to pass the time, and know there’s an Ivars by the Mukilteo ferry (although the new ferry dock is a bit of a walk from there now) and a small food stand by the Clinton ferry if you get hungry.

Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry

If you’re coming from the peninsula on the western part of Washington, you can go to Port Townsend to take the ferry to Coupeville. This will take you about 35 minutes to cross, and you’ll be in the middle of the island when you get off for your three days on Whidbey Island.

Deception Pass Bridge

While it is an island, Whidbey is also connected by the Deception Pass Bridge up north in Anacortes. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Seattle to Anacortes, and from there, it takes an hour to go down the island.

When the wait to get on the Whidbey Island ferry starts to exceed 2 hours, driving is a good alternative so you can start your trip. There are plenty of fun things to do in Anacortes, so you can spend a few hours there if you want to make a long weekend of it.

Best Time to Visit Whidbey Island

To be honest, there’s no “best” time to visit Whidbey Island. I’ve been here every season multiple times and love them all for different reasons. Summer is great for a weekend vacation from Seattle if you want to get out on the water and walk on the beach. There are many events during the summer, such as the annual Whidbey Island Fair, and it is hard to pick the best weekend on Whidbey Island to plan your vacation.

Fall is my second-favorite time to visit, as it’s prime grape-harvesting season. It’s fun to go wine tasting as the weather starts to get cooler. Winter is a great time to visit, too. There’s something cozy about being on the island during a stormy winter day as you look out at the ocean.

Spring brings plenty of things to do on Whidbey Island as well, such as Coupeville’s annual Musselfest or spring hikes around Washington like Ebey’s Landing.

Where to Stay on Whidbey Island

There are plenty of places to book lodging on Whidbey Island, but I recommend staying somewhere relaxing and private. Nothing beats waking up in a Whidbey Island bed and breakfast in the morning with the trees and water surrounding you. No matter where on the island you stay, you’ll also notice how quiet it is.

• Saratoga Inn: This adults-only inn is right in the heart of downtown Langley, with water views of Saratoga Passage, fireplaces in every room, and a full breakfast included every morning. It’s consistently one of the highest-rated places to stay on the island and is within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants, and the beach. (rates vary by season)
• Captain Whidbey: If your base is in Coupeville during your trip to Whidbey, check out Captain Whidbey. It’s right on the beach, has a bar and restaurant in it, and was built in 1907, which gives it an old-school charm. (rates vary; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com)

Another good option for Whidbey Island lodging is a vacation rental, with dozens available year-round. This is particularly smart if you have a large group coming together, as you can all stay together and cook in the kitchen during your stay to save money near Seattle.

Here are a few recommendations:

• This waterfront home has stunning views of nearby Camano Island and Puget Sound and can host up to eight people. (rates start at $229 per night) 
• This country cottage is adorable, has a hot tub, includes breakfast, and is close to the beach. (rates start at $240/per night)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Whidbey Island from Seattle?

The most popular way is the Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, which takes about 20 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. You can also drive over Deception Pass Bridge from the north, which adds more driving time from Seattle but skips the ferry wait. A third option is the Port Townsend to Coupeville ferry if you’re coming from the Olympic Peninsula.

How long do you need on Whidbey Island?

A weekend is ideal – two nights give you enough time to explore both the north and south ends of the island without feeling rushed. You can do a day trip from Seattle, but you’ll feel like you’re just scratching the surface. The island is about 55 miles long, so it takes longer to get around than most people expect.

Is Whidbey Island worth visiting?

It’s one of the most underrated day trips and weekend getaways from Seattle. The combination of dramatic scenery at Deception Pass, the charming small towns of Langley and Coupeville, local wineries, and easy hiking makes it feel like a completely different world from the city, despite being less than an hour away.

What is Whidbey Island known for?

Whidbey Island is best known for Deception Pass State Park, one of Washington’s most visited state parks. It’s also known for Coupeville’s historic waterfront, Penn Cove mussels, its local arts scene, and being a quieter alternative to the San Juan Islands for a Pacific Northwest island escape.

Can you visit Whidbey Island without a car?

It’s possible, but limiting. The ferry from Mukilteo drops you in Clinton at the south end of the island, and there’s limited public transit once you arrive. If you’re staying in Langley or Coupeville, you can get around on foot or by bike, but getting to Deception Pass at the north end without a car is difficult. Most people drive or rent a car.

When you’re done with your trip on the island, it’s time to head back to the ferry line. While you wait, you can look back at all the things to do on Whidbey Island that you found and start planning your next trip back!