15 Best Things to Do on Lummi Island in 2025 (Local Secrets + Visitor Favorites)
Looking for the best things to do on Lummi Island this Weekend? In this post, I’ve covered everything you need to know before visiting this hidden gem island.
Lummi Island isn’t loud about itself, and that’s the point. Tucked into the quiet side of the San Juan Islands, just a short ferry ride from Bellingham’s Gooseberry Point, it’s where you go when you don’t want a big production—just salt air, good walks, and the kind of silence that knows how to hold space for you. In 2025, it still feels like it’s holding onto something real. A true quiet Pacific Northwest escape. Fewer people. More room to think. And a handful of things to do that make you feel something.
Table Of Content
Top Things to Do on Lummi Island This Weekend
Take in the Views from the Baker Preserve Trail
It’s a climb, not a stroll—but the kind that gives more than it takes. The trail winds quietly through mossy woods before hitting that clearing, where it feels like the whole San Juan archipelago opens up in front of you. You stand there catching your breath, and for a second, it’s like the world stretches a little wider.
Tip: The trailhead’s tucked off Seacrest Drive. Go early for solitude. And yeah, bring water—it’s uphill the whole way. You will remember the best hikes near Bellingham Bay for amazing scenic views of Lummi Island.
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Explore the Tide Pools at Sunset Beach
Low tide at Sunset Beach is when the magic shows up. This is one of the best beaches near Bellingham with Tiny crabs, sea stars, and anemones that hold tight to rocks. You don’t need a guide, just time and a sense of wonder. I spent a quiet morning crouched by a tide pool once, just watching a hermit crab swap shells. Felt like church.
Also, there are so many amazing kid-friendly things to do on Lummi Island to keep your kids busy while you are relaxing.
Best time to visit Lummi Island:
Check tide charts before you go. Sunset Beach is especially gentle for kids or solo wanderers who want to poke around slowly. A lovely spot for some water activities on Lummi Island.
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Dine at the Willows Inn (or Try the New Pop-Up Eateries in 2025)
Where to eat on Lummi Island? The Willows Inn used to be the showstopper, and it might reopen again, depending on its latest status in 2025. But the thing is, you don’t need fancy. This year’s brought a couple of new pop-up kitchens and food trucks that feel more like community than spectacle. I had a smoked salmon sandwich last spring from a stand by the ferry line—hands down the best meal of the trip.
Local tip: Ask around when you arrive—locals always know who’s cooking something good that weekend. Don’t forget to taste wine at artisan wineries.
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Browse Local Fine Arts at the Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tour
A few weekends a year, the island’s creatives throw open their doors. Studios tucked into woods, pottery wheels spinning by windows, driftwood sculptures stacked outside weathered barns. It’s not polished, and that’s the charm. I left with a hand-inked print and the kind of conversation you remember later. Try to buy some handmade gifts for your home.
Mark your calendar: Usually runs in spring and fall—check Lummi Island Foundation for the Arts for 2025 dates.
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Rent a Bike and Circle the Island
It’s not a big island—you can bike the loop in a few hours if you don’t stop. But you’ll stop. You’ll see a bench with a view. A blackberry patch. A beach you weren’t expecting, and some pretty islanders. That’s how Lummi slows you down without trying. Don’t miss Full Bloom Farm along the way—a charming local spot for produce and a glimpse of island life. You will enjoy the biking trails on Lummi Island.
Bike rentals on Lummi Island: Some Airbnbs provide them. Otherwise, check the Lummi Island Community Association board near the ferry dock—locals sometimes lend them out for the day.
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Visit the Beach Store Cafe (Island Favorite)
It’s easy to miss, sitting quietly near the ferry. But this spot’s pure Lummi—no frills, just sandwiches and good soup, maybe a cold beer, and tables that feel like they’ve heard every story at least once.
Best lunch spots on Lummi Island: check out the Beach Store Cafe menu and see what catches your eye.
What to Eat: Their grilled cheese on sourdough hits different after a breezy hike.
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Go Kayaking or Paddleboarding
If you want a whale watching tour, then you can visit Orcas Island.
Rentals: Ask your Airbnb host or check in town. The community board usually has local contacts.
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Book a Stay in a Cozy Cabin or Waterfront Airbnb
You’ll sleep like you haven’t in years. Wood stoves. Big windows. Maybe a deck chair you won’t want to leave. I stayed in a converted boathouse once—the waves lapped all night, and I didn’t check my phone once.
Book early: Summer weekends fill up fast. Shoulder seasons have more peace and better prices.
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Watch the Sunset from Legoe Bay
Pack something simple—wine, bread, good cheese. Sit on the driftwood, let the sky do what it does best. I sat there once with wind in my hair and zero plans, and it felt like everything was okay for a while. Legoe Bay is a must-visit place for couples to spend to lovely time together.
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Attend a Community Event or Farmers Market
Lummi doesn’t do big festivals. But there’s a market vibe—local honey, salmon jerky, fresh greens, and someone always playing guitar like they mean it. It’s not flashy, but it’s real. The market is not that big, though.
2025 update: Check the island Facebook group or library notice board for seasonal markets and gatherings.
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Discover the Lummi Island Congregational Church
Old wooden pews, soft light through stained glass. It’s open on Sundays but sometimes hosts live music or spoken word nights. You don’t have to be religious to feel the peace in there.
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Go Birdwatching Along the Shoreline
Bring binoculars—or don’t. You’ll probably see herons anyway. Maybe eagles. I watched a kingfisher dive three times and come up empty. Even birds have off days.
Best season: Spring migration is wild. Shorelines and the wetlands near Sunrise Road are solid bets.
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Take a Day Trip to Nearby San Juan Islands
If you’ve got more time, hop a passenger ferry to Camano Island, Orcas Island, or Lopez Island. Feels like a natural extension of the slowness you started here. Just make sure to check schedules—island time is real.
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Slow Down at the Library
If you are a book lover like me, then head to the Lummi Island library and spend some quiet time just you and your favorite book.
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Tips for Visiting Lummi Island in 2025
* Best time to go: Late spring through early fall
* Getting there: Small ferry from Gooseberry Point, runs all day (but it’s tiny—expect a wait on weekends)
* What to pack: Layers, walking shoes, Hiking Boots, snacks, curiosity, water bottle.
*Passenger-only ferry information, Whatcom County.
FAQs – Lummi Island Travel 2025
Is Lummi Island worth a day trip from Bellingham?
Yes, it’s an easy ferry ride and a perfect quiet escape from the city.
Do you need a car on Lummi Island?
Not really. It’s small enough to explore by bike or even on foot.
When’s the best time to visit Lummi Island?
Late spring through early fall for mild weather, open businesses, and views.
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Final Thoughts: Is Lummi Island Worth Visiting in 2025?
Absolutely—but not for the reasons most places are. Come if you’re tired. Come if you’re wired. Come if you just need a weekend getaway to remember how it feels to be unbothered. Lummi holds still when everything else spins. Ready to explore this tiny, hidden gem island? Then read this Guide to Lummi Island. It will help you to make your plans.
You won’t do everything. And that’s the best part.
