Top 11 Best Islands to Visit in Washington State: Top Attractions

Best Islands to Visit in Washington for Adventure & Scenic Trails

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge is an easy, ferry-accessible island from Seattle, with no reservations; just walk on and go. It’s close enough for a day trip, but has enough going on that you might want to stay the night. First stop off the boat? Probably a bakery or a bookstore. Or both. 

Winslow, the main town, is walkable in the best way. Coffee shops, local art, and waterfront benches where you can watch boats drift in and out. It feels more polished than some of the other islands, but not in a bad way – more like someone who wears flannel and knows wine pairings.

There’s a little bit of everything on Bainbridge Island: a Japanese American internment memorial that’s heavy but important, quiet forest trails in the Grand Forest, and beaches where you can spot Mount Rainier views from the island if the clouds cooperate.

Local tip: If you’re driving, try to avoid the 3 – 6 p.m. ferry return window on weekends. It gets packed fast. Walking on the way to go if you can swing it.

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Lopez Island

Lopez is the one who smiles first. Locals wave when they pass you on the road, and it’s not some touristy act – they mean it. Everything here is a little softer, a little slower. No traffic lights, no stress.Perfect for quiet weekend getaways near Washington.

Wondering what to do on Lopez Island?  You can bike the whole island if you’re up for it. The roads are smooth, not too hilly, and the views sneak up on you – wide open fields, hidden beaches, water that always seems to shimmer. If that sounds too ambitious, just pick a beach (Shark Reef is a favorite) and wander. You’ll probably spot seals or at least some weird-looking kelp.

Where to stay on Lopez Island? There are some fine hotels, cabins, and campgrounds available for accommodations. I stayed on a Lopez Island farm and cottages, and that experience was something else.

There’s a tiny village center with coffee, sandwiches, and the kind of grocery store that still writes signs by hand. Sit outside. Eavesdrop. Everyone’s talking about the tides or the weather, or what the ferry did this morning.

Local tip: Stop by Holly B’s Bakery early. Like before 10 a.m. They don’t mess around.

Best Islands in Washington for Whale Watching & Coastal Feel

San Juan Island

This one’s the easy pick. You can hop the ferry from Anacortes and be in Friday Harbor before you even finish your coffee. No need to overthink it – San Juan’s got just the right mix of good food, ocean air, and stuff to do without being loud about it.

You don’t need a packed itinerary. Just walk around the harbor, grab lunch somewhere with outdoor seating, and breathe a little deeper. If you’ve got time, drive out to Lime Kiln Point and wait. Some days, you’ll spot whales right from the shore. Other days, it’s just quiet, waves hitting rock, and that feels just as good.

Dinner could be anything from fish tacos to oysters on a picnic table. There’s wine tasting too if that’s your speed, and honestly, it’s better than expected.

Local tip: South Beach at sunset. Bring a blanket, a jacket, maybe a flask. Don’t rush it.

Orcas Island

If San Juan is the easy pick, Orcas Island is the one you fall for slowly. The drive-on ferry takes a little longer, the roads twist more, and everything feels tucked away – like the island’s trying to stay a secret. Perfect for a short or weekend trip near Washington.

Wondering what to do on Orcas Island? Start with Moran State Park. Hike Mount Constitution if you want a view that shuts you up. Or don’t hike – just drive to the top and feel like you earned it anyway. Later, grab ice cream in Eastsound, wander into the bookstore, or just sit by the water and watch boats drift by like they’ve got all day. Because they do.

This place is built for slowing down. You could rent a kayak or head out on a whale watching tour, sure. But honestly, doing nothing feels pretty perfect too. Find a cozy cabin in the woods, cook something simple, open a bottle of something decent, and call it a night. Perfect place for a family weekend trip.

Local tip: Get baked goods at Brown Bear early. They run out, and you’ll regret it.

Best Islands Near Seattle for Peace & Solitude

Vashon Island

Vashon feels like the island time forgot – but in the best possible way. No chain stores, barely any stoplights, and just enough weird to keep things interesting. You catch the ferry from West Seattle or Tacoma, and within 20 minutes, you’re somewhere that feels a world away.

You’ll find roadside farm stands with honesty jars, coastal roads perfect for biking, and one main town that’s got a little of everything – solid coffee, an indie movie theater, even a wine shop that’s better than it has any right to be. It’s artsy without trying to be, laid-back without being boring.

There are so many things to do on Vashon Island, You can kayak at Jensen Point in the morning, wander Mukai Farm and Gardens in the afternoon, then catch a beach sunset by the lighthouse at Point Robinson. People wave at you here. No one’s in a rush. You might not be either, after a day or two.

Local tip: Vashon’s farmers market (Saturdays, April–October) is full of local color – think hand-spun yarn, lavender lemonade, and fresh bread still warm from the oven.

Lummi Island

If you’re chasing quiet, this is it. Lummi Island is not flashy. No tourist scene, barely any cell service, and the kind of roads where you wave at every passing car just because. You catch a tiny ferry from Bellingham’s Gooseberry Point – it’s short, cheap, and part of the fun.

Once you’re there, things slow way down. The views from Baker Preserve Trail are unreal – San Juans, sea, sky, all layered together. There’s art hidden in sheds, roadside farm stands with trust boxes, and beaches where you’ll probably be the only person there. The island is not big enough, though, you can still do many things if you plan accordingly.

For food, The Willows Inn used to be the big name, but even if it’s closed or seasonal, there are still local spots doing fresh, simple, good stuff. You’re not here for big dinners anyway. You’re here to watch the tide come in, maybe read a book, or nap. And yeah, that’s more than enough.

Local tip: Bring snacks and supplies – options are limited and close early.

Best Islands in Puget Sound for Easy Access & Quick Escapes

Whidbey Island

Whidbey is where old-school charm meets actual convenience. You can drive here from Seattle in under two hours – no ferry needed if you come through Deception Pass – and once you’re on the island, it’s one small-town scene after another. It is like a hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest islands.

Langley’s got that slow-coffee, sea-glass-shop vibe. Coupeville’s more historic, with clapboard buildings and mussels fresh from the bay. And the northern end? Windswept beaches, lighthouse trails, and one of the prettiest coastal drives in the state.

There’s hiking at Ebey’s Landing, driftwood for days at Double Bluff, and usually a few eagles overhead wherever you go. Whether you’re sipping wine at a tucked-away tasting room or eating blackberry pie with a plastic fork at a roadside café, Whidbey Island has something for everyone.

Local tip: Check out the farmers market in Bayview. It’s got that community feel – live music, flowers in jam jars, and usually someone selling something that smells amazing.

Camano Island

Camano doesn’t ask much of you – just slow down a bit. No ferry, no crowds. You drive across a short bridge, and suddenly you’re somewhere quieter, softer. You hear gulls again. You feel the air shift.

I spent a lazy afternoon walking the beach at Iverson Spit, just me, driftwood, and miles of sky. The tide was out, sand packed firm under my boots. Out in the bay, a heron moved like it owned the place. Nobody was rushing anywhere. Felt good to match that pace.

Later, I grabbed a bite at Camano Commons, a tiny spot, good coffee, locals reading the paper like it’s still 2003. Then wandered over to Cama Beach, where old cabins line the shore and the water just sits still, like it’s been waiting for you.

Local tip: Bring binoculars. Birdwatching here’s no joke, especially early morning near English Boom. Also, book one of the bluff cabins at Cama if you want to wake up with the water right there.

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Anderson Island – Quietest One of the Bunch

You have to mean it to get to Anderson Island. It’s the southernmost island in Puget Sound, and the only way there is a little ferry from Steilacoom that mostly locals use. No shops are trying to grab your attention. No tourist traps. Just forest, shoreline, and old dirt roads that smell like cedar after it rains.

People come here to *not* do much. You can camp by the lake, walk the trails at Andy’s Marine Park, or watch deer wander across your rental cabin’s front yard like they own the place. It’s a real-deal unplug kind of place. Bring groceries, bring books, bring someone who doesn’t mind silence. You won’t need much else. Perfect for Quiet getaways in Washington.

### FAQ – Best Washington Islands 2025

Which Washington island is easiest to get to without a ferry?

Camano Island – you can just drive across a bridge from the mainland.

What’s the best island in Washington for first-time visitors?

San Juan Island – it’s got everything: food, whales, walkable towns.

Which island is the most peaceful and quiet?

Lopez or Lummi – fewer crowds, slower pace, lots of space to breathe.

Are the ferries hard to figure out?

Not really – book early in summer, show up early, and bring snacks.

Can you visit more than one island in a weekend?

Yes, but pick two max – don’t rush it, these places are meant to slow you down.

Final Thoughts: Are the Washington Islands Worth Visiting?

You don’t have to hit all these islands. Honestly, just pick one and go. Let the ferry ride slow you down, let the salt air mess up your hair, and don’t plan every second. These places weren’t built for rushing. Whether you end up biking quiet roads on Lopez, kayak in Puget Sound, eating pie on Whidbey, or just watching the tide roll in from a driftwood log on Lummi – each island’s got something real to give. So pack light, show up curious, and let the rest happen. Washington’s islands are waiting. You just have to get there.