Travel Guide: Fidalgo & Whidbey Island
If you love quaint coastal villages, combing rocky shorelines for sea glass, and wandering fern-lined hiking trails, book your next long weekend to one of the islands north of Seattle. While Washington’s San Juan Islands tend to be the top island destination for travelers, Fidalgo and Whidbey islands are right next door and are absolutely worth a visit!
Places to go on Fidalgo Island
Stroll Downtown Anacortes
Take a few hours to stroll up and down Commercial Ave in downtown Anacortes. There are dozens of shops, restaurants, and public art displays to take in. One of my favorite stops is Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse. They have great coffee and a huge selection of used books to peruse!
Cap Sante
Check out Cap Sante for nearly panoramic views of Fidalgo Bay, Mt. Baker, and the Cap Sante Marina. This viewpoint tucked into a neighborhood east of downtown Anacortes. You can hike around the area a little bit or you can drive to the viewpoint. It is a great spot to take in a sunrise or sunset if the weather cooperates, but it can be pretty chilly and windy so come prepared!
Mt Erie
Mount Erie is the highest point on Fidalgo Island. You can drive or hike to the top. From the viewpoint, you can see broad views of the surrounding bays and nearby islands. This is another great spot for taking in a sunrise or sunset!
Washington Park
Washington Park has trails, beaches, and ample opportunities for expansive views. You can find Washington Park at the Northwestern end of Fidalgo island. There are numerous hiking trails to choose from, a scenic drivable loop, and multiple beach access points all within the park boundaries. The Washington Park Overlook viewpoint is a great spot for sunsets and birdwatching. I particularly love watching all the different boats come and go in between the islands. If you plan to drive the scenic loop, be sure to check when the road opens because the gate is often closed in the early AM and late PM hours.
Places to go on Whidbey Island
Deception Pass State Park
As you drive south from Anacortes towards Whidbey Island, you will reach Deception Pass State Park. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore this area or plan multiple visits! Probably the most iconic landmark in the park is the Deception Pass Bridge. This bridge rises high above the ocean and connects Fidalgo and Whidbey island. There are small parking areas on either side of bridge so visitors can get out of their cars to sightsee. Keep in mind this area can be very congested and the sidewalks on the bridge are narrow. Be sure to park in designated areas and be aware of your surroundings. From the bridge, there are stunning views of the surrounding bay, coastal forests, and Mt Baker.
On either side of the bridge, you can drive to other parts of the park to find hiking trails and beach access points. The trails vary in length and difficulty, so you will want to research which ones are right for you. If you are less into hiking and more into a long walk along the shoreline, head south of the bridge and enter the park’s main entrance. Follow the signs to either north beach or west beach. Both of these areas are easy to access and take you right up to the water.
Coupeville
Whidbey Island is home to a few quaint coastal towns absolutely worth visiting. Coupeville, the second oldest town in Washington State, sits on Penn Cove and was the setting in the 90s movie Practical Magic. When visiting Coupeville, you can wander through a few shops, admire the historic buildings or visit the museum, and birdwatch at the beautiful Coupeville Wharf. I am a sucker for bookstores, so I’d be remiss not to recommend visiting the Kingfisher Bookstore while in town!
Langley
South of Coupeville, Langley is another idyllic small coastal town worth exploring. It’s a little bigger than Coupeville and has more shops, restaurants, and art galleries. From the main street through town, there are also beautiful views of the cascade range. Watch for birds, ocean animals, and ferries to pass by!
Fort Ebey
If you are a history buff, there are a few WWII landmarks to check out. Fort Ebey is a great spot to visit featuring historic WWII buildings, hiking trails, and beach access.
Fort Casey
Fort Casey is also home to historic WWII buildings. Visitors can also check out a beautiful light house from 1903 or take in expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Range.
Getting There
Assuming you are traveling from Seattle, you can ride the ferry from Mukilteo to the southern end of Whidbey Island. If you opt for the ferry, research the schedule ahead of time and make a reservation. If you would rather not ride the ferry, or you are planning to make Fidalgo Island your home base, then take I-5 north to Mt. Vernon, then west towards Anacortes.
Whidbey and Fidalgo islands are connected by the Deception Pass bridge, so once you make it to one island, you are able to drive to the other! The drive from the southern tip of Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island takes about an hour.
Where to Stay
More often than not, I tend to stay in Airbnbs. On my most recent trip to the area, I stayed in this adorable Airbnb. Situated almost exactly halfway between Anacortes and Oak Harbor, it was a perfect spot for exploring both islands.
If Airbnb’s aren’t your thing, you will find typical hotel chains in Oak Harbor. You might also consider contributing to the local economy by staying in a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast in one of the smaller towns. Be sure to double check the location, Whidbey Island is larger than it looks!
Where to Eat
I tend to be a budget traveler so I’m not often spending time dining in restaurants. That said, I’ve two restaurant recommendations to share. If in Oak Harbor, Seabolts is a great option for fish and chips, chowders, etc. If you are near Anacortes and looking for a nice place to enjoy dinner, I’d absolutely recommend Adrift for locally sourced seafood and burgers.
When to Visit
Visitors can venture to Fidalgo and Whidbey Island year round. Summers tend to be sunny and mild, Winters can be more wet and cooler. Many people are surprised to learn there is a large rain shadow coming from the Olympic Range. This means Fidalgo and Whidbey Island get considerably less rain than surrounding areas, so expect more sunshine and dry skies than you might think!
A Few More Tips:
If you are traveling through Seattle on your way to either island, the traffic can be pretty brutal and can add hours to your travels. Consider planning around rush hour!
If you’d like to explore off Fidalgo and Whidbey island, you can use the Washington ferry system to get to other beautiful spots like Port Townsend, the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juans, or smaller surrounding islands.
If you’d like to explore off island, but do not want to take a ferry, you might consider driving up Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham or wander around La Conner. If you are willing to make a longer drive, you can head up Mt Baker or head to North Cascades National Park (both are highly weather dependent so plan ahead).
I’ve visited both islands a handful of times now and each time, I find something new to marvel at: the perfect piece of green sea glass, sun rays streaming through the fog on Fidalgo Bay, the crisp late-fall windchill while taking in a sunrise in Washington Park. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery or adventures to be had. Happy travels!
