There are so many fun things to do on Whidbey Island. Whether you are looking for a place to spend a few days or you want to explore the island from top to bottom, there is plenty to keep you busy (and plenty that will make you want to return again and again!).
Whidbey Island is a nature-lover’s dream with state parks, beaches, and forest trails to explore. Pair that with wineries, boutique shopping, and delectable bakeries and you have the perfect weekend getaway from Seattle.
Need to Know Before You Go
To make the most of your trip to Whidbey, I highly recommend purchasing a Discover Pass before you depart. There are quite a few state parks on Whidbey that require a parking pass.
If you do not have a Discover Pass, you pay $10 per day for the parking pass. However, a Discover Pass is only $30, so this will give you access to all of Washington’s wonderful state parks for an entire year.
You can purchase a Discover Pass here about a week before your trip to Whidbey, and you will get it in the mail. If you don’t order it in time, you can print a temporary pass to use for your trip. Get it now before the price increases in October 2025!
1. Hike Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail
This trail was, without a doubt, one of my favorite things to do on Whidbey Island. It’s a 3-mile loop trail that takes you up on the bluffs along the coastline and gives you stunning views back over the coast and estuary below.
The first half of the hike climbs up into the bluff, so it is a bit of a climb. Wear some sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.
The second half of the loop takes you along the rocky beach below the bluffs along a narrow, quite steep path dug into the bluff. Then it’s completely flat along the beach until the end of the trail, which finishes back at the parking lot.
The Bluff Trail at Ebey’s Landing is one of my favorite things to do on Whidbey Island!
2. Explore Langley
Langley is a beautiful town in the southern half of Whibdey Island that you don’t want to miss. If you take the ferry over from Mukilteo, this is a good first stop along your Whidbey Island road trip.
One of the biggest draws to Langley is the Langley Whale Center, where you can learn more about the whales that call these waters home.
If you’re visiting at the right time of year (from late February to early June), then you might even be able to spot a few whales from shore. If you do, be sure to ring the bell so that everyone knows!
A few other spots not to miss in town include:
- Whidbey Pies Pie Shop: They have full pies or pies by the slice, and they are delectable. The crust is flaky and rich, the fillings are ample and homemade. My personal favorite was the marionberry, but the cherry was also superb. They have seasonal flavors depending on what’s in season.
- Sprinklz Ice Cream: This shop has a line out the door during the summer months and for good reason. They make specialty flavors by blending their ice creams with different fillings. For example, the caramel apple crisp I tried is vanilla bean ice cream blended with cinnamon apples, caramel sauce, and waffle cone pieces. They even have fun homemade cones with cookie pieces or sprinkles baked inside.
- Moonraker Bookstore: A cute little independent bookstore with a nice local authors section. The sections are well curated with thoughtful modern picks as well as some older books that I had never heard of before. I can never leave a bookshop like this empty-handed.
- Village Pizzeria: A great lunch spot for families or pizza lovers. As a New Yorker, I was pretty impressed by their NY-style pies. They have some outdoor seating, but if the weather is good, I recommend getting it to-go and taking it down to the waterfront to have at one of the picnic tables along the shore (and try to spot some whales!).
- Foamy Wader: A small boutique jewelry store with handmade pieces at very reasonable prices. I picked up the cutest pair of earrings with anchors on them. Most things have a nautical twist, perfect for a souvenir to remember your time on the island.
There are chairs all around the waterfront in Langley so that you have a place to watch for whales!
3. Stop for Coffee at Mukilteo Coffee Roasters
There are a ton of fantastic coffee shops around Whidbey Island, but Mukilteo Coffee Roasters is a destination in its own right.
If you catch an early ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, stop at Mukilteo when you arrive to the island and get your caffeine fix.
It’s not an ideal spot for weekend warriors, because they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but if you are lucky enough to visit during the week, stock up on a few bags of their freshly roasted beans to take home with you.
4. Visit Historical Coupeville
Coupeville is one of the oldest towns in Washington. Incorporated in 1910, it is still home to some of the original buildings that you can see scattered around the town.
The main reason to come here is to go to the fantastic Island County Historical Museum. This museum has a huge amount of history for a small town museum. There are stories from Native Americans who have called this land home for thousands of years.
There are artifacts from people who made the journey west during the Gold Rush along the Oregon Trail. And there are pieces that tell the story of more modern times in Whidbey and around Coupeville.
Other spots not to miss in Coupeville:
- Historic Coupeville Wharf: Walk out along the pier to see even more Native American artifacts inside the Wharf building. There is also a cafe and a souvenir shop here. Come at low tide and you’ll spot deer walking along the waterline. Something I have never witnessed anywhere else!
- Kingfisher Bookstore: It appears to be a small bookstore from the front, but this shop is packed with books, thoughtfully displayed on two floors. The staff here were so friendly and gave me some fantastic recommendations.
- Little Red Hen Bakery: Come here, have the Kouign-amann and take it back to the waterfront to enjoy it with a sea view. The Kouign-amann that I had here was flaky, buttery, light yet rich. The apricot filling was sweet and tart, thick and gooey, but still stuck perfectly to the pastry around it. It was heavenly.
- Toby’s Tavern: It’s hard to find places like this anymore, so when you do, you have to support them. This locally owned seafood spot is an institution in Coupeville and is serving up a huge variety of local seafood. They also have steaks, burgers, chicken, and a nice selection of sandwiches. I loved the grilled oysters and calamari.
The pier in Coupeville is a beautiful place to spend a sunny day.
5. Visit Meerkerk Gardens
This private garden is a flower-lover’s paradise in the spring. The best time of year to come here is from late April to early June to see the best of it in bloom. When all of the flowers are blooming, this is one of the most beautiful places to explore on the entire island.
Entry is $10, which is why I recommend only coming when it’s close to peak bloom. Otherwise, you’re paying money to explore a park that looks an awful lot like the other free parks around the island. Check their website for updates on what’s in bloom during your trip.
6. Take in the views at Possession Point
Possession Point State Park is the southernmost point on the entire island. So if, like me, you want to explore the island from top to tip, be sure to head south as you exit the ferry and explore this beautiful, rocky, and rugged beach.
Like all other state parks, you’ll need a Discover Pass to park here. You can then walk along the short path downhill to the beach. Once on the beach, make sure you have sturdy shoes on. The beach is very rocky, but with the right shoes you can go for a nice walk around the tip of the beach.
If it’s a clear day, you might also get lucky enough to spot Mount Rainier in the distance.
7. Go Wine Tasting
Whidbey Island is home to several fantastic wineries to explore. Some of them have cafes and tasting rooms, while others are mostly just open to sell their wine and offer small samples before you purchase.
Put together a little wine tasting day around the island for something fun (and make sure you have a designated driver!).
- Ott & Hunter: There are two island locations, one is right in Langley which you can walk into and sample without pre-planning. The other is out of town in a larger complex that requires an advanced reservation.
- Spoiled Dog Winery: A beautiful winery with an outdoor seating area and small charcuterie boards to have with your wine tasting.
- Dancing Fish Vineyards: A beautiful setting for a tasting. They charge $12 for a flight which is pretty low (because you don’t get your money back if you decide to buy a bottle). A great experience with kind and knowledgeable wine makers.
The deers on the beach at low tide in Coupeville just going for their morning stroll.
8. Explore the Farm Markets
While I absolutely loved the small self-serve farmer’s markets around Vashon Island, Whidbey offers something that reminds me of the farm stands that I grew up going to in upstate New York.
The one you absolutely do not want to miss is Greenbank Farm. Come here for wine tastings and wine advice, freshly baked pies, local cheeses, and a full-service cafe where you can sample their produce in a delicious dish.
Others not to miss:
- Coupeville Farmer’s Market: Open every Saturday from 10 am-2 pm in downtown Coupeville.
- Whidbey Farm and Market: This is a fantastic place for families as well as those who just want some fantastic produce. Locally made honey and jams, delicious ice cream, fresh flower bouquets, and so many other beautiful locally made artisan products. This is a one-stop shop for delicious goodies from around Whidbey.
- K&R Farm Stand: Buckets full of fresh produce, homemade ice cream, and shelves full of locally made pantry items. This is my favorite farm shop on the island for produce.
9. Go wild with local lavender at Lavender Wind
This is one of the best things to do in Coupeville, but I felt like it needed its own shout-out so that you don’t miss it on your trip to Whidbey Island.
Lavender can be found all over Whidbey Island from late June to early September.
If you love lavender, then you don’t want to miss Lavender Wind in Coupeville, where you can get a lavender coffee, lavender room spray, lavender cookies, and lavender lip balm. Just about anything that you can put lavender in, they’ve done it, and you can buy it from this shop.
The Admiralty Head Lighthouse is open daily and is well worth stopping into.
10. Wander around Fort Casey
Fort Casey is a waterfront battery and home to the beautiful Admiralty Head Lighthouse that dates back to 1903. You can go inside the lighthouse, which is now an information center and gift shop, every day between 10 am and 4 pm.
They started building Fort Case in 1897, and it opened for full operational use in 1902. You can wander into many of the rooms of the fort. You can also walk along the top of the earthen fortress for incredible views of the Olympic Mountains.
There is a nice trail along the bluff here that is flat and easy to walk. It is right along the coast, which makes it a beautiful, albeit windy, adventure. Many locals come here with their dogs to walk along the paths.
11. Get a Sandwich at Greenbank Pantry
Part of the Greenbank Farm family, but a little bit further down the road, is a deli that is serving up some of the best sandwiches in all of Washington. We New Yorkers can be a little snooty about our delis, but this place truly delivered on quality, taste, and menu options.
The classic Reuben does not disappoint, but they have so many options like the Whidbey Tuna made with locally caught tuna salad, olives, and arugula. The Mushroom Melty isn’t just for vegetarians; it is rich and cheesy and delicious.
I would get on the ferry and drive to Whidbey Island from Seattle just to eat another one of their sandwiches.
12. Walk the Paths at Price Sculpture Forest
Price Sculpture Forest is located right on the edge of Coupeville town center. It has a small parking lot, but it fills up fast, so you may have to wait for a parking spot, especially if you’re visiting during peak summer on the weekend.
There are two loop trails here that are both lined with sculptures from artists from around the country. Each sculpture has a QR code that you can scan to learn more about the artwork and the artist.
The sculptures around Price Sculpture Park are really beautiful and fun to learn about.
13. Go to the Beach at South Whidbey State Park
Old-growth forest, well-cleared trails, and rocky beaches along the Salish Sea, this park is a stunning place to explore. It looks small on the map, but this park is 381 acres with 4,500 feet of shoreline to explore.
Check the AllTrails App for the trails that sound best for you. My personal favorite was combining the Ridge Loop Trail with the Beach Trail for a good mix of forest trails and beach fun.
14. Go Hiking at Dugualla State Park
Several friends from Seattle recommended that I stop at Dugualla during my trip to Whidbey Island. It feels like a local secret because it wasn’t listed on many other articles for the best things to do on Whidbey Island, and for much of my hike around the park, I had the trail to myself.
It’s not a huge state park, but there are six different trails that weave through the trees and along the waterfront on the east side of the island. This is a particularly great spot for trail runners since it’s not that hilly (for Washington, at least).
Deception Pass is one of the most photographed things to do on Whidbey Island.
15. Deception Pass State Park
The most visited state park in Washington, Deception Pass is one of the best things to do on Whidbey Island.
It was named Deception Pass because explorers initially believed that it was the mouth of a river. It wasn’t until they sailed around the island that they realized it wasn’t a river and in fact, Whidbey was an island completely separate from the mainland.
If you are coming to Whidbey by ferry, this will likely be the last place you stop on your tour around Whidbey Island. If you are coming by road instead, then you’ll cross over Deception Pass State Bridge to arrive on Whidbey, and you can stop here first.
Like all of the state parks on this list, you will need to either have a Discover Pass or pay a $10 entry fee when you arrive to the park.
Pack a lunch, some drinks, and a sweatshirt or windbreaker, because even in the summer, the wind whips through the park. You can go swimming along the beaches to the west, or you can hike the trails that take you up and over the bridge for a view of Deception Pass.
Map of the Best Things to Do on Whidbey Island
How to Get to Whidbey Island
There are two main ways to get to Whidbey Island from the east: driving over the Deception Pass Bridge or taking the ferry from Mukilteo.
If you are coming from the West of Whidbey, there are a few other ferry options that you can find as well.
You do not need a ferry reservation to take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton. You can simply show up at the ferry terminal and pay to board the ferry when the next one arrives. See the up-to-date ferry timetable here.
Where to Stay on Whidbey Island
Whidbey is full of fantastic hotels, B&Bs, and camping options. If you want to go camping, check out the Washington State Park Reservation System to book a site at one of the many parks on the island. This fee allows you to have day use of those parks as well, so you don’t need to pay an additional fee or have a Discover Pass for that particular park.
Besides camping, there are a few cheaper hotels on the outskirts of the cities mentioned. You will also find a handful of reasonably priced hotels around Oak Harbor, although this is very close to the military base, which can be very loud due to regular flyovers.
If you want to stay in the towns of Langley or Coupeville, expect to pay premium prices.
- Inn at Langley: Rooms starting at $355
- Comforts of Whidbey Winery B&B: Starting at $293
- Tyee Restaurant and Hotel: Rooms starting at $95
- Whispering Bamboo B&B: Cabins starting at $199
- Auld Holland Inn: Rooms start at $98