14 Best Islands in Washington State (By a Local)

I’m a Washington local and I believe exploring the state’s islands is a must when you visit. After all, they’re perfect for day trips, weekend getaways, and romantic retreats. Several made my list of the best places to visit in the state.

Here are 14 Washington islands to escape to when you need a break from the mainland and want a glimpse at slow, easy island life in the Pacific Northwest.

14 Best Washington Islands

San Juan Island

The most popular island in the San Juan archipelago has romantic lodging, a lively town, and breathtaking views.

Come to San Juan Island and prepare to be enchanted. This beautiful island is part of the San Juan archipelago in the northernmost part of Washington. San Juan Island is incredibly picturesque, making it a great place for a romantic getaway, anniversary, or honeymoon.

Lime Kiln State Park is one of the island’s main attractions. Not only does it have a gorgeous lighthouse but during whale-watching season (typically May to September), you can spot orcas from the shore. Even if you don’t see orcas, come to the park for the sunsets — they’re spectacular.

The main town, Friday Harbor, has farm-to-table restaurants, boutique shops, the Whale Museum, and many spots to grab a drink. Spend time here getting to know the quirky, creative, and welcoming locals.

The Farm at Krystal Acres was one of my favorite surprises when visiting the island for the first time. Here, you can watch, feed, and learn about some of the cutest critters on the island.

Vashon Island

A slow-paced island near Seattle with laid-back vibes and friendly locals.

This next island is one of my favorites — there is so much to do on Vashon Island even though it’s not very big. Plus it’s a quick ferry ride from West Seattle or Tacoma.

Vashon Island is super charming. Mingle with the locals in downtown Vashon and check out all the quirky shops. Get pastries from incredible bakeries, cocktails from Ruby Brink, and some of the best Thai food in the area from May Kitchen + Bar.

You can camp, hike, or picnic at Maury Island Marine Park. Admire views of the Cascade Mountains and take pictures with the massive troll, Oscar the Bird King, at Point Robinson Lighthouse Park. 

No matter what your plans are, I highly recommend going wine and cider tasting when on the island. Dragon’s Head Cider and Maury Island Winery are two of my favorite spots for this. 

Bainbridge Island

A popular day trip destination with wine tastings, family-friendly parks, and interesting local history.

Bainbridge Island is a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. It’s a great place to visit if you have 3 days in Seattle or more. Bonus: This is one island you don’t need a car to explore.

There are things to do in every part of Bainbridge. Up north, you’ll find the Bloedel Reserve and Fay Bainbridge Park. To the south, find Fort Ward Park and uncrowded beaches with clear views of the Seattle skyline. 

Less than a mile from the ferry terminal is Winslow, the main downtown area. Winslow has restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, and Bainbridge’s free art and history museums. It’s an easy place to explore on foot.

Families will find plenty of places to go with kids, from the Kids Discovery Museum in Winslow to Battle Point Park. Any outdoor recreation enthusiast should play a game of pickleball while here. It’s fitting, given that the sport was invented on Bainbridge Island!

Orcas Island

Rugged and beautiful, this San Juan Island is perfect for hiking, whale watching, and remote retreats.

Orcas Island is arguably the most captivating island in the San Juans, especially if you appreciate rugged beauty. Prepare to explore the outdoors if you come here.

Orcas is home to Moran State Park, where you’ll find a dozen hiking trails including one to Mount Constitution. Traverse it and you’ll be rewarded with a coveted view of the surrounding islands from the top.

Explore rocky, rugged beaches. Book a whale-watching tour. Go kayaking and wildlife-watching around Deer Harbor. All are possible on this island primed for adventure.

Eastsound is the main town on Orcas Island. Chat with locals and grab coffee and pastries from Olga Rising. Visit the Orcas Island Historical Museum, watch movies, and attend events at the teeny tiny Sea View Theatre.

Whidbey Island

The largest island in Washington has charming small towns, nature escapes, and military history.

Whidbey Island is jam-packed with things to do. It’s the largest island in the Sound, so it’ll require multiple trips if you want to experience everything.

Start by getting to know the wonderful small towns on Whidbey Island. Visit Langley to hang out in a relaxed, bohemian community. Go to Coupeville if you love historic towns and want to pig out on fresh oysters. 

Oak Harbor is the island’s “big city” and it’s the place to go to get introduced to some of Whidbey’s military history. I have an entire guide on which Whidbey Island town to stay in, which will help you plan your visit.

There are incredible outdoor activities on Whidbey Island. The hike through Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is accessible year-round. Don’t leave without visiting Deception Pass State Park and its breathtaking bridge, or Fort Casey to explore old military bunkers.

Lopez Island

A relaxing island in the San Juans with biking trails and sandy beaches.

Lopez Island is the best San Juan Island for people who like small communities. Sandy beaches and fun excursions make Lopez a relaxing and family-friendly escape.

It’s smaller than San Juan Island and Orcas Island. But there’s still lots to do on Lopez, especially if you like the outdoors. Hit up the hiking trails around Iceberg Point or Shark Reef Sanctuary for an easy-to-moderate workout. 

Cyclists will have a blast on Lopez. Every year, the island hosts an event called Tour de Lopez. During it, bikers from around the state descend on the island to ride along some of its fantastic, scenic trails.

Make sure to visit Lopez Village to check out the small shops and local restaurants, and mingle with the island’s residents. Doing so will give you insight into why Lopez is nicknamed “The Friendly Isle.”

Fidalgo Island

A North Sound island with a lively city, an epic state park, and plenty of maritime activities.

Fidalgo Island is just north of Whidbey, connected by the Deception Pass Bridge. It’s home to the northern part of Deception Pass State Park, Washington’s most popular state park.

Find additional hiking adventures around Mount Erie or go to Washington Park to enjoy kayaking, a rocky beach, and views of the San Juan Islands. 

Anacortes is the main city on the island and has many delights. Grab tasty seafood and cold beers at restaurants like Adrift and Rockfish Grill. Visit during the Anacortes Waterfront Festival, Arts Festival, and Shipwreck Fest to get to know the local vibe and meet the community.

Fidalgo Island is a great place for maritime adventures. Book sailing excursions, fishing charters, and whale-watching tours from here. You can access the San Juan Islands and Guemes Island from Fidalgo as well, making it convenient if you want to visit several fantastic islands in one go.

Harstine Island

A sleepy southern Puget Sound island for nature lovers and cozy retreats.

Harstine Island is one of the lesser-visited islands on this list. You won’t find hotels or even restaurants directly on the island, but there are plenty of vacation rentals and multiple state parks to explore.

I recommend making a grocery run before you come, especially if you’ll be here for a day or two (the closest restaurant is a 10-minute drive away). Harstine is the perfect place for some downtime to escape daily life.

Explore Jarrel Cove State Park or Harstine Island State Park, where you can visit beaches, camp, boat, and watch for sea lions and seals. 

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington is one unexpected, hidden gem on Harstine Island. This is a wild cat rescue and sanctuary. You can book a guided tour to see and learn about the big cats they have in their care.

Camano Island

A hidden gem for artists and outdoor enthusiasts.

Camano Island is sandwiched between the mainland and Whidbey Island, and tends to be overshadowed by the latter. This makes it a bit of a hidden gem and those willing to explore it will easily fall in love. 

Spend some time at Cama Beach State Park, Camano Island State Park, and the Iverson Trail Preserve. You can hike, explore the beaches at low tide, and go swimming or boating. Prefer to be among the trees? Check out Canopy Tours NW to book an exciting zipline adventure.

Visit the island during the Northwest Glass Festival to participate in a fun, island-wide scavenger hunt. Artists in need of inspiration will find it at the various art galleries on Camano.

Bonus: Camano Island is one of the islands on this list that you can drive to. So there’s no need to coordinate and work around ferry times before you visit!

Anderson Island

A rural island community for stress-free excursions and solitude seekers.

Anderson Island is the southernmost island on this list. It’s an easy one to visit if you’re looking for a quick getaway from Tacoma or Olympia. 

There’s not much to do on Anderson Island. The island has a small cluster of permanent residents and nightlife is nonexistent. That said, Anderson Island is perfect if you’re searching for a place to rid yourself of worries or stress.

There are just a couple of restaurants on the island, and several parks to hang out at. Come here with a book or sketchpad. Wander through uncrowded parks like Andy’s Marine Park, which will make you feel miles away from the city.

Just be mindful of the limited ferry schedule if you visit Anderson Island on a day trip. You don’t want to get stuck on the island without lodging or a way to get off!

Lummi Island

A tiny island in the San Juans for peaceful day trips and farm stays.

Go to Lummi Island knowing that there’s not as much to do compared to some of the larger islands on this list. But Lummi is a quaint island and peaceful, and well worth a visit if you’re in the Bellingham area. 

The island is only 9 miles long. Bring a bike to cycle from north to south with just a slight, easy elevation gain. Cycling through Lummi Island will take you on a little tour past the main sights. Stop at Sunset Beach and the Otto Preserve before making your way to Lummi Peak for views of the rest of the archipelago.

Book a room at Nettles Farm Bed & Breakfast for an overnight stay on the island. You’ll get plenty of farm-fresh food, participate in group pizza making, and have all the time you need to unwind on this idyllic farm.

Mercer Island

An island suburb in Lake Washington with a relaxing, small-town atmosphere.

Mercer Island is easy to get to if you’re in Seattle. The I-90 bridge over Lake Washington connects Seattle to the rest of the Eastside, and Mercer Island is right in the middle. It’s the one island on this list that’s not in Puget Sound

Mercer is a quiet, affluent, and safe suburb. Visit in the height of summer to go to the vibrant farmers market or to catch a free Shakespeare performance at Luther Burbank Park.

Families with little ones will enjoy the variety of parks on the island — most are less crowded than parks in Seattle and Bellevue.

There are a few standout restaurants on Mercer Island. Go to Pogacha Restaurant for Croatian food or to Shawn’s Bakery and Cafe for freshly baked bread, pretzel rolls, and sandwiches.

Roanoke Inn is another popular choice for good food and strong drinks, and it’s pretty much the only place you can expect to get drinks late at night. There’s virtually no nightlife on Mercer Island…but that’s how the residents like it.

Guemes Island

Activities on this tiny island revolve around the resort and the general store.

Guemes Island is just one of the islands you can get to from Fidalgo Island. It’s a short 5-minute ferry ride to Guemes Island from the ferry terminal in Anacortes, so it’s easy to pop back to the bigger town if you need other amenities.

Like to relax and go with the flow? You’ll enjoy your time on Guemes. Many of the activities on the island revolve around the Guemes Island Resort in the north and the Guemes Island General Store to the south.

The General Store is the only restaurant on the island and it’s a hub of activity. You’ll find visitors and residents hanging out here eating, drinking beer, and listening to live music. 

Book a stay at the resort and expect a laid-back visit where you can play games, rent boats, get a massage, relax in a sauna, and buy local gifts. 

Marrowstone Island

A quiet island with a hidden winery, a historic state park, and pretty mountain and water views.

Marrowstone Island is a serene and peaceful escape in Jefferson County. There are several state parks on Marrowstone. The most popular is Fort Flagler State Park. This historic military facility turned park is the place to go for camping and beach excursions. You can also explore old military batteries on a visit.

Visit Marrowstone Vineyards if you’re looking for something a little more low-key. Come to this charming winery for scenic views and to sample wines and listen to live music. Bring a picnic with provisions from the Nordland General Store. 

There are no hotels and few restaurants on Marrowstone, so you’ll need to drive off the island to nearby towns to find a place to stay or eat out. Still, Marrowstone is more than worth a visit if you’re interested in a quaint island that feels like a bit of a secret.

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And there you have it! These are the best Washington islands to explore if you want a glimpse into island life in the Pacific Northwest. Leave me a comment if you have any questions.

Next up, read about my favorite towns in Washington. Happy exploring!