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Whidbey and Camano Islands

· Coupeville, WA

Why you should go…

Whidbey and Camano Islands sit in Puget Sound in Island County, Washington, easily reached from Seattle and about two hours south of Vancouver, Canada. Visitors come for beaches, parks, outdoor recreation, arts and dining across towns including Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Langley, Freeland, Clinton and Camano Island. Deception Pass State Park, on Whidbey Island, is the most-visited state park in Washington with more than 2 million visitors a year. Island County Tourism, a county-wide board funded by lodging taxes, promotes the islands to travelers as The Shortest Distance to Far Away.

  • #islands
  • #beaches
  • #hiking
  • #state park

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Whidbey and Camano Islands, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Oak Harbor

    Free

    Historic waterfront downtown on Whidbey Island revitalized through Washington's Main Street program.

    4.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum

    Under $25

    A Whidbey Island aviation museum tracing Naval air history in the Pacific Northwest through artifacts and flight simulators.

    5.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Puget Sound Express

    $50+

    Family-run whale watching cruises from Port Townsend, Edmonds and Port Angeles with a sighting guarantee.

    7.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Outer Island Excursions

    $50+

    Whale-watching boat tours from Anacortes searching for orcas, humpbacks and other Salish Sea wildlife.

    19 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Anacortes

    Free

    Visitor information center for Anacortes, the ferry gateway town to the San Juan Islands.

    19 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    San Juan Islands

    Free

    The official tourism office for Washington's San Juan Islands, covering ferry-linked island getaways, whale watching and outdoor recreation.

    29 mi awayMore like this