Whidbey Island sits at the north end of the Puget Sound. Though close to Seattle, Washington, and not far from Victoria, B.C., the pastoral island is a far cry from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Whidbey Island, the longest island in the continental U.S., contains some of the most spectacular shoreline on the Washington coast, five scenic state parks with lakes, a national historical reserve with forts and a lighthouse, historic small towns full of shops, and acres of prairie land, gardens and farms. The essence of this 55-mile-long island is its permeating aroma of salt air, warm fir trees, wild grasses and ripe berries.
South Whidbey Island’s Towns and Parks
From downtown Seattle, it’s an hour’s drive to the port of Mukilteo, where the ferry leaves for the town of Clinton on Whidbey Island’s southern end. The 20-minute ride across the Puget Sound affords spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.
Langley, a seaside arts community 10 miles north and east of Clinton, perches on a bluff overlooking the Saratoga Passage with views of nearby Camano Island and the Cascade Mountains. Shop for fine art and handmade children’s toys while downing baked goods and espressos along 1st and 2nd streets. Seawall Park, an easy find with its totem pole, is a good place to spot orca whales in the early fall.
South Whidbey State Park and Greenbank lie west of Langley near Whidbey Island’s “waistline.” Greenbank sports 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Baker and Rainier. Pick up provisions at Coupe’s Greenbank Store for a picnic in South Whidbey State Park. Hike through old-growth forest and find the 40-foot-wide cedar tree or go down to the beach, where treasures of crabs and clams can be found.
Forts and Coves of North Whidbey Island
Fort Casey makes history come alive with its turn-of-the-century battlements that hold 10-inch “disappearing” guns and afford panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Kids will enjoy the birds and marine life of Crockett Lake and the Keystone Spit, adjacent to the fort. Admiralty Head Lighthouse holds a small museum and interpretive center. Keystone Harbor’s marine wildlife sanctuary draws scuba enthusiasts to its underwater trail.
Take the five-mile hike along the beach from Fort Casey to Fort Ebey State Park, one of the finest trails on Washington’s inland waterways. Kids will have fun exploring Fort Ebey’s bunker tunnels and pillboxes. Nearby, Lake Pondilla is a good spot to fish for bass.
From Fort Ebey, hike or bike the Kettles Trail to the town of Coupeville, the second oldest town in Washington. A self-guided walking tour reveals two blockhouses built by early settlers for protection against Indian attacks and a collection of pioneer artifacts and historical displays at the Island County Historical Society Museum. Explore adjacent Penn Cove by kayak, with rentals available on the wharf.
Deception Pass and Oak Harbor
Deception Pass State Park, at the north end of Whidbey Island, has 38 miles of trails available in its 4,000-plus acres. Sandy beaches at the park are perfect for beachcombing and picnics. Swim or fish in Cranberry Lake, where sand dunes offer unlimited play.
North of the 976-foot Deception Pass Bridge is Fidalgo Island and the mainland. South of Deception Park, the town of Oak Harbor's Windjammer Park features a beachfront playground and saltwater lagoon with a waterslide and paddleboats. Enjoy a movie at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theater. Or drive to nearby Camano Island for more serene island adventures.
Whidbey Island offers a family adventure in the Pacific Northwest that includes the best of land and sea--with forts to explore, coves to kayak, lakes to swim and boat, towns to shop, state parks to hike and beaches to stroll. Access from Everett, Mukilteo and Mt. Vernon to the south and Oak Harbor and Anacortes to the north make this pastoral island an easily reached vacation spot with dynamic features.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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