Exploring Whidbey Island with Little Adventurers

This post is all about exploring Whidbey Island, a family-friendly getaway.

Whidbey Island is one of our favorite easy getaways from Seattle. There are two scenic routes to access the island – each by car:

• Drive 25 miles north of Seattle and board the ferry in Mukilteo to Clinton. There are two boats on this route meaning there is a departure around every half hour and the ride itself is 30 minutes. This route is popular with many locals so it is not unusual for there to be long backups on Fridays and through the weekend. The ferry lands in Clinton which gives you quick access to many of the cute towns on the south side of the island like Langley and Bayview.
• Drive north from Seattle towards Anacortes. This is a longer drive but eliminates the wait for the ferry and orients you at the North end of the island, closer to the infamous Deception Pass State Park.

Both routes are great for different reasons – depending on where you plan to spend your time exploring Whidbey Island will be a deciding factor. There are many times we arrive via ferry and then make our way north on the island throughout our visit and drive out via Anacortes on the way back to Seattle.

Here are some ideas on how to enjoy this quaint and beautiful island with your young family.

1. Play at the Beach

• Whidbey Island boasts a number of beautiful beaches perfect for young children:
  • Double Bluff Beach: An expansive sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles, collecting seashells and playing hide and seek in driftwood forts.
  • Langley Beach: Close to the ferry terminal, stop here to explore tide pools and watch for marine life.
  • Rosario Beach: Stunning views and lots of tide pools for little ones to explore. We love the little hiking trails on Rosario head before or after beach time.

2. Take a Short Hike

• Stretch out little legs amongst Whidbey Island’s lush forests and scenic trails:
  • Ebey’s Landing: A nature preserve near Coupeville with easy trails and panoramic views of Puget Sound.
  • South Whidbey State Park: Head here for short hikes amongst old-growth forests.
  • Fort Ebey State Park: Just north of Ebey’s Landing, head to Fort Ebey to hike by World War II bunkers, forested paths or to the beach.

3. Visit State Parks

• Whidbey Island’s state parks offer diverse experiences:
  • Deception Pass State Park: This is a must see while on Whidbey Island. Drive over the iconic bridge and then head to Rosario Beach to escape the crowds.
  • Fort Casey State Park: Go here to watch the sunset at the light house, play on the beach and do some birdwatching.
  • Fort Ebey State Park: As mentioned in the short hikes section, this state park was built as a coastal defense fort in WWII. It includes three miles of beaches on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and bluffs with panoramic views.

4. Explore Quaint Seaside Towns

• Whidbey Island’s towns are charming and family-friendly:
  • Bayview: A lesser known little pocket of restaurants, a garden center and cute paths for kids to explore. Our favorite spots are Whidbey Doughnuts and Flower House Cafe. Check out the farmers market every Saturday from April-October.
  • Langley: Close to the ferry terminal, this cute town is easy to walk around and bustling with cute breakfast and lunch spots. We love Langley Kitchen for breakfast sandwiches and a peruse around the little shop. We also always pop into THE STAR STORE, which has a great selection of groceries and a kids boutique upstairs. Perfect if you missed packing anything for your trip. Spend an afternoon exploring art galleries, boutiques, and waterfront views.
  • Coupeville: Head a little further north on the island to Coupeville. This historic downtown has a cute red wharf and is known for serving up local Penn Cove mussels.

Related: 15 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Seattle

5. Farm Adventures for Little Ones

• Whidbey Island has a large farming community and some offer hands-on experiences the whole family will love:
  • Greenbank Farm: Explore the farms and fields, visit the art gallery, and pick up some goodies at the specialty wine and cheese shops. .
  • Holmes Harbor Cellars: Family-friendly vineyard with large grounds for kids to play while you sip Washington wine (mostly reds from the Yakima Valley!).
  • Whidbey Farm and Market: Coffee bar and ice cream shop open daily. Check their website for family friendly events throughout the summer.

Conclusion

Exploring Whidbey Island is easy and fun with young children with so many amazing adventures to choose from. I hope this post helps you plan your next visit full of beaches, gorgeous landscapes, quaint seaside towns and lasting memories.