If you love island-hopping when you travel, consider this your sign to visit some of the beautiful islands we have right here in Washington State! From the beaches at Whidbey and Vashon-Maury Islands to underrated forested trails beyond, here are 6 scenic islands in Washington to visit before summer ends.

Bainbridge Island 

Known as the “jewel of Puget Sound,” this small city is a must-visit if you love the great outdoors but want to shave off as much travel time as you can. Accessible via a short ferry ride from Seattle, Bainbridge has all the small-town charm and outdoor adventure you’re looking for. Lounge at the beach, shop around at the eclectic boutiques, or consider embarking on a wine-tasting tour. 

Vashon-Maury Island

This one’s even closer to Seattle, at just a 15-minute ferry ride away! Enjoy a farm-to-table meal at one of the island’s prestigious restaurants, go on a paddling adventure at KVI Beach, or venture to the scenic Point Robinson Lighthouse.

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Whidbey Island

washington state islands whidbey island
Photo via Shutterstock

This rugged island is the largest in Washington State, with plenty of hiking, paddling, and beachcombing opportunities, in addition to a vibrant arts and culture scene. Go on a nature walk and spot the Scott Price sculptures dotting 16 acres of the island, check out the Whidbey Island Fair, or visit the historic Fort Casey State Park and Admiralty Head Lighthouse.

San Juan Islands

Fun fact – over 170 islands and reefs comprise this archipelago, and three are accessible by ferry: San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez. All three enjoy a “mellow,” relaxing vibe with a temperate climate all year long, with multiple kayaking and cycling tours for visitors to embark on.

San Juan Island offers visitors access to multiple charming harbors, B&Bs, and local inns, with Orcas Island full of forested cabins and stunning lake day opportunities. As for Lopez Island, visitors will find beautiful pastures, a quaint village with farm-to-table restaurants, and a historical museum.

Camano Island

From the expansive Tillicum Beach to the shores of Cavalero, there’s plenty of beautiful nature to take in at Camano Island, which is situated right next to Whidbey. The island county is connected by road to the City of Stanwood, allowing visitors to make the drive to enjoy a full day of hiking with extremely rewarding views – such as the ones at Barnum Point, Iverson Spit, and Cranberry Lake.

While parts of Camano Island State Park are currently closed, most of its forested trails are still open, offering visitors breathtaking views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier.

Clark Island

Last but certainly not least, we’ll dive into Clark Island – no pun intended. The 55-acre marine camping and moorage state park is located on the Strait of Georgia, boasting sandy beaches on the west side and smooth, ‘pea gravel’ on the east side. Consider this a paddling, boating, and beach lounging destination all rolled into one!

Note that the state park is open from 6:30 am to dusk during the summer months,  and is only accessibly by boat.

And that’s a wrap on some truly beautiful islands to visit in Washington State. Happy exploring!

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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