Here’s What to Do on Whidbey Island

👉 Jump to: Best Things | South Whidbey | Central Whidbey | North Whidbey

I’m a Washington local with insights into the best things to do on Whidbey Island, the largest island in the state. Hike through historic state parks, wander rocky beaches, search tide pools, and dig up mussels. Sample exquisite seafood, hang out in cozy towns, and explore old military forts. 

I’ll explain how to do all of that and more in this guide. For more help planning your trip, make sure to bookmark my article on where to stay on Whidbey Island, too!

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20 Best Things to Do on Whidbey Island

Langley

Explore this relaxing south Whidbey town’s art galleries, adorable shops, and whale-watching spots.

📍 Google Maps | Website 

Langley is one of Whidbey Island’s most populated towns, so it’s a fantastic place to stay when you visit. It has one especially charming quirk: It’s overrun with hundreds of wild bunnies. But beyond bunnies, Langley’s calming and bohemian atmosphere makes it a haven for artistic types.

It’s impossible not to get inspired when visiting the many art galleries throughout downtown Langley. Stop at Callahan’s Firehouse Studio & Gallery, an old firehouse turned glassblowing studio. Or check out Whidbey Art Gallery to see paintings made by island locals.

Round out your Langley itinerary with a visit to the free and informative Langley Whale Center. Then, grab a window seat at Village Pizzeria, where you can watch for whales while you eat.

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve

This protected reserve offers sea and farmland views, plus wonderful hiking trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 678-6084 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: free except for state park entrances

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is a must-visit for outdoor adventurers. This massive nature reserve sits west of Coupeville, bordered by the popular Fort Casey and Fort Ebey State Park.

Come to Ebey’s Landing to hike the Bluff Trail. It takes you along a bluff overlooking a lagoon with ample views of the Olympic Mountains. It’s one of the best hikes near Seattle, especially since it can be done year-round.

Admire historic homes and farmland on the reserve. Bring your binoculars to search the skies for ravens, hawks, bald eagles, and tons of waterfowl. The rustic, rocky beach at Ebey’s Landing is a perfect place to enjoy lunch and a sunset.

Coupeville

This seaside community is one of Washington’s oldest towns, full of interesting history and tasty seafood. 

📍 Google Maps | Website

Coupeville is one of the oldest towns in Washington. It’s hard to believe how many gems are in this teeny historic town, especially with a population of just under 2,000. But Coupeville is full of surprises that make it one of the best small towns in the state. 

Begin exploring at the Coupeville Wharf, where you can grab coffee and souvenirs and watch for marine animals. Admire the historic buildings throughout downtown Coupeville. Then pop over to the Island County Historical Museum to learn more about the island’s past.

Hungry? Visit Oystercatcher or Front Street Grill and order Penn Cove Mussels when available. They’re pretty much guaranteed to be fresh since these mussels are harvested in Penn Cove, just a few feet north of both restaurants.

👉 Love Seafood? Don’t miss the Coupeville Musselfest in March. This annual 3-day festival includes cooking demonstrations, farm boat tours, and shanties. And, of course, there are plenty of opportunities for mussel tasting!

Deception Pass State Park

Breathtaking views and kayaking adventures await visitors to Washington’s most visited state park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 675-3767 | Website | Hours: 6:30 am – dusk (summer), 8 am – dusk (winter) | Entrance: Discover Pass ($10 day-use, $30 annually) | 👉 Book a Deception Pass Kayaking Tour on Viator

Deception Pass State Park is one of Washington’s most visited state parks. It spans both Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island, which are connected by the iconic Deception Pass Bridge.

I highly recommend parking and stepping out of the car to enjoy the views when driving over the Deception Pass Bridge. Sunny days are popular, but it’s equally rewarding to visit when it’s so foggy that the whole park looks otherworldly.

Or get down by the water! Book a campsite at the popular Cranberry Lake Campground for a leisurely overnight stay. Only have a day to explore? Take a kayaking tour so an expert can show you the sights! On the tour, you’ll admire the islands, spot wildlife, and catch a sunset from the water.

Oak Harbor

Whidbey Island’s largest town is a hot spot for naval history and a good base to explore the island’s best state parks.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Oak Harbor is considered the “big city” on Whidbey Island. It’s the most populous of the three major towns and the one place on the island where you’ll find national chains. However, there are plenty of local businesses and restaurants downtown to balance it out. 

Stop at Seabolt’s Smokehouse in downtown Oak Harbor for some of the best fish and chips on the island. Play on the beach at Windjammer Park or head to Joseph Whidbey State Park for a peaceful excursion.

Oak Harbor has an active naval air station, so you’ll probably see and hear jets flying overhead. Fans of military history can visit Oak Harbor’s Northwest Naval Air Museum to tour a preserved PYB plane and try out flight simulators.

👉 Pro Tip: Here’s my top tip for visiting Whidbey: Don’t try to see it all in one day! It takes about an hour to drive from the south to the north end of the island, with lots of gems in between. I suggest choosing one of its three major towns and exploring the surrounding area, especially if you’re here on a day trip from Seattle.

Best Things to Do in South Whidbey

Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tour

Learn about edible, medicinal, and poisonous mushrooms on an expert-led foraging trip.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 531-8904 | Website

You’ll learn about the incredible (and sometimes edible) mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest on a Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tour. This is one of the safest ways to go mushroom foraging since you’ll be led by an enthusiastic mushroom expert.

Public and private tours are three hours long. They include an informative, illustrated presentation before you venture into Whidbey’s forests. You will likely be able to take some mushrooms home. However, the tour is really about education and learning how to find and identify mushrooms on your future foraging trips.

Bayview

Visit this cute community in south Whidbey whose focal point is a plant and gift-filled garden center.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 321-6789 | Website | Hours (Bayview Garden): 9 am – 6 pm daily, until 5 pm on Sundays

Bayview is a small, unincorporated community and hidden gem on Whidbey Island. You can easily explore all of Bayview’s sights in a day.

Its main draw is the Bayview Garden, a garden center with a diverse variety of plants, flowers, accessories, and gifts. The charming Flower House Cafe is next door and serves garden-fresh food in a flower-filled space.

Check out the Bayview farmers market from April to October. Enjoy an upscale meal at Orchard Kitchen and sip delicious beer from the Taproom at Bayview Corner year-round.

Pickles Deli

Eat the best sandwiches on the island.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 341-3940 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Monday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday, Closed Thursday & Sunday

Pickles Deli serves the best sandwiches on Whidbey. The sandwich shop is in an unassuming strip mall, not far from the Clinton ferry terminal. Pickles carries options for every diet, whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or paleo.

Do not sleep on the twisted Reuben sandwich! It’s my go-to and the smoked gruyere cheese adds a tasty dimension to this classic. You can also try soups, salads, and hearty bowls. Make sure to order an extra side of pickles to polish off your meal.

Madrona Supply Co.

Get wonderful local gifts in an eye-catching shop by the ferry terminal.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 341-2193 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 11 am – 3 pm Sun

Madrona Supply Co. is impossible to miss. It’s just 2 minutes away from the Clinton Ferry Terminal in South Whidbey, making it a convenient stop on the way in or out of Whidbey. The 1950s-era building originally opened as a hardware store, but is now a sprawling gift shop.

Come to Madrona Supply Co. to buy all manner of local goodies and Whidbey Island souvenirs. My favorite things to stock up on are the candles, but you’ll find an eclectic mix of other items. Buy shirts, art prints, yarn, candy, ceramics, cookbooks, and other cute knickknacks. 

Whidbey Island Kayaking

Explore the island’s turquoise waters on guided kayak tours in the day or at night.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 221-0229 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Rental and tour costs vary

You can’t go wrong when renting kayaks and paddleboards from Whidbey Island Kayaking. Its rental prices are very reasonable. Whidbey Island Kayaking’s tours are also phenomenal.

Nearly all of the kayaking tours are great fits for beginners with no prior experience. Try a “point-to-point” tour that will take you all along Whidbey’s coastline. Or go for the nighttime bioluminescence tour in summer to see a sparkling world beneath your boat.

Langley Whale Center

Learn about the marine animals that journey through the water surrounding the island.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 221-7505 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday, Closed Monday-Tuesday | Entrance: free

The Langley Whale Center in downtown Langley is a godsend for people interested in the largest marine animals in Puget Sound. Come here for a thorough education on orcas, humpbacks, and gray whales. 

Examine animal skulls and bones, watch documentaries, and leave with plenty of whale merch from the gift shop. The Whale Center is part of a whale sighting network, too. Easily stay up to date on where and when whales were most recently spotted.

Double Bluff Beach

This south Whidbey beach is a haven for dogs and has tidepools brimming with marine creatures.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm daily

Double Bluff Beach is a favorite spot for dog owners on the island. This off-leash dog park beach is the perfect place to exercise energetic pups while enjoying views across the Sound. There is no fencing at the beach, so make sure your dog will listen when you call them back.

People without dogs can enjoy Double Bluff Beach’s colorful tide pools and active wildlife. Come at low tide to search for little crabs and anemones. Watch the skies to catch a glimpse of bald eagles. 

Best Things to Do in Central Whidbey

Greenbank Farm

This giant Whidbey Island farm has hiking trails, a gift shop, a wine and cheese store, and manicured gardens.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 222-3797 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday, 10:30 am – 5 pm Mon, Wednesday-Friday, 10 am – 5 pm Saturday-Sunday

Greenbank Farm should be on everyone’s Whidbey Island itinerary. You could easily spend an hour wandering around Greenbank, which is more than just a farm. It has shops loaded with wine and artisan goods, walking trails, and several restaurants. 

Come early to get some fresh air on the trails while admiring views to the east. Wander through pretty gardens maintained by master gardeners. Peruse the gift shop, enjoy a wine tasting, and snag a tasty slice of pie. 

I always buy sauces and samosas from Lesedi Farms when visiting Greenbank. This Whidbey Island micro-farm has fantastic African cuisine.

Fort Casey State Park

This central Whidbey Island state park features WWII-era bunkers, batteries, and an early 20th-century lighthouse.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 678-4519 | Website | Hours: 8 am – dusk, daily | Entrance: Discover Pass ($10 day-use, $30 annually)

Fort Casey State Park is one of history buffs’ favorite places to visit in Washington. Fort Casey was part of Washington’s Triangle of Fire defense during the 19th and 20th centuries. Curious visitors can still explore the defunct bunkers and check out old gun batteries.

The Admiralty Head Lighthouse is one of Fort Casey’s most distinctive features. You can climb to the top and get a rundown of the history from docents before grabbing some souvenirs from the gift shop. 

The well-maintained trails and waterfront access at Fort Casey State Park make it popular with campers and day-trippers. Bring your bike with you on a visit. You can catch the Coupeville Ferry right in the park and take a quick excursion to Port Townsend, too.

Island County Historical Museum

Discover a treasure trove of Whidbey Island history at this Coupeville museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 678-3310 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Monday-Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm, Sunday | Entrance: free

The Island County Historical Museum in Coupeville is one of the best places to learn some local island history. Learn about the Ice Age glaciers that shaped the state’s landscape and created the island. Check out exhibits on the area’s Indigenous people and European settlers. Read about Chinese immigrants who helped shape the island’s farming culture. 

The Island County Museum is free, bigger than it looks, and exhibits rotate often. This makes it a good spot to visit on return trips to the island.

📚 Related Reading: For more regional travel inspo, read my list of epic getaways near Seattle.

Price Sculpture Forest

Wander this whimsical forest full of fantastical and unusual sculptures created by local artists.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 8 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: free

Price Sculpture Forest is the perfect spot for anyone craving an outing where art meets nature. The sculpture forest has dozens of works by different artists. The art ranges from whimsical and fun to downright impressive.

Price Sculpture Forest isn’t large and you can see it all along the half-mile loop. However, wandering through will probably take longer than you’d expect if you stop to examine and read about each sculpture. 

The T-Rex carved from an old tree and the wire sculptures that seemed to blend into the forest were some of my favorite sculptures. Of course, my husband and I also had fun with the amusing disembodied legs.

Fort Ebey State Park

This is the perfect state park for hiking, biking, and paragliding.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 678-4636 | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily

Fort Ebey State Park is the perfect Whidbey state park for exercise. Dozens of hiking and biking trails wind through the lush forest and along the park’s saltwater shoreline.

Like Fort Casey to the south, Fort Ebey has explorable old military bunkers that make it a fun park for history enthusiasts. But watching the paragliders sailing in the wind is one of the coolest things to do here. Bring a kite if you’d like to take advantage of the windy weather, too.

Best Things to Do in North Whidbey

Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

Learn about the Navy’s WWII response and try out flight simulators and more at this compact military museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 240-9500 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Saturday, 1 pm – 5 pm Sundays, Closed Monday-Friday| Entrance: $10, adults, $7, youth, free kids under 6

The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum is one of the best things to do in Oak Harbor. This naval air museum is on the small side but it’s surprisingly packed with information.

Its interactive exhibits are some of the best. Enjoy flight simulators and night vision goggles. Walk through the preserved PBY plane with a knowledgeable docent.

The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum has photos, artifacts, and detailed write-ups to help people dive into WWII history. There’s additional information on the Navy’s role in other wars, too.

Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre

Visit this entertaining drive-in theater with an arcade and tavern that’s great for kids and adults alike.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 675-5667 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 1 am Fri-Sun | Entrance: $6.50+, adults, $1, children 5-10, free, 4 and under

The Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre opened in 1959, so it’s a favorite spot for long-time island locals. Its main appeal is its super-affordable double features. However, there’s more to love than just the movie showings.

Come with the kids and let them loose in the arcade and go-kart area. Searching for kid-free time? Check out the Backlot Tavern where you can grab beer, cider, seltzers, and a bite to eat before the movie.

Joseph Whidbey State Park

Explore this beautiful state park, perfect for picnicking and sunset-watching from the waterfront.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 902-8844 | Website | Hours: 8 am – dusk daily; Park closed in winter from November 1-March 31 | Entrance: Discover Pass ($10 day-use, $30 annually)

Joseph Whidbey State Park is one of the island’s northernmost state parks. It’s known for its waterfront views. On a clear day, you can see the gorgeous San Juan Islands and even as far as Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Wander forest trails, explore a driftwood-laden beach, or picnic in an open, grassy meadow. The beach at Joseph Whidbey is more rocky than sandy, but it’s a joy to explore with the right pair of shoes.

Spread out a picnic blanket on the grassy expanse that overlooks the beach, or snag a picnic table for a leisurely lunch. Come at sunset for a romantic outing.

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Whidbey Island is truly one of the best islands in Washington. What are you most looking forward to doing on your visit? Let me know in the comment section!