Destination Whidbey

Deception Pass

Deception Pass derives its name from its complex and tricky currents that can deceive mariners. It is notorious for its powerful and unpredictable tidal currents that can shift rapidly. Mariners, unfamiliar with the area often found themselves deceived by the challenging conditions. Navigating through the pass required skill and local knowledge to avoid dangerous whirlpools, […]
The Driftwood Journey

Have you ever wondered how driftwood ends up lining the beaches of Whidbey Island? If so, keep reading to discover the driftwood journey. The driftwood Journey Driftwood embarks on an intriguing journey to Whidbey Island. It originates in the lush Pacific Northwest mountains, where rainwater and snowmelt begin their journey downstream. These waters meander through […]
Bunkers Overlook – A Legacy

The Fort Casey bunkers located in Coupeville sit perched atop the cliffs overlooking Admiralty Inlet. They stand as silent sentinels of the past, remnants of a bygone era when coastal defense was paramount. These imposing structures were originally built during World War I for coastal defense. They were designed to house artillery and troops and […]
Cranberry Lake

Nestled within the breathtaking expanse of Deception Pass Park on Whidbey Island, discover Cranberry Lake. There is a phenomenon at Cranberry Lake where the fresh waters are separated from the saltwater of the Salish Sea. The two are separated by a relatively thin strip of sand. This serene lake offers more than picturesque views; it’s […]

Deception Pass Deception Pass derives its name from its complex and tricky currents that can deceive mariners. It is notorious for its powerful and unpredictable tidal currents that can shift rapidly. Mariners, unfamiliar with the area often found themselves deceived by the challenging conditions. Navigating through the pass required skill and local knowledge to avoid dangerous whirlpools, […]

The Driftwood Journey Have you ever wondered how driftwood ends up lining the beaches of Whidbey Island? If so, keep reading to discover the driftwood journey. The driftwood Journey Driftwood embarks on an intriguing journey to Whidbey Island. It originates in the lush Pacific Northwest mountains, where rainwater and snowmelt begin their journey downstream. These waters meander through […]

Bunkers Overlook – A Legacy The Fort Casey bunkers located in Coupeville sit perched atop the cliffs overlooking Admiralty Inlet. They stand as silent sentinels of the past, remnants of a bygone era when coastal defense was paramount. These imposing structures were originally built during World War I for coastal defense. They were designed to house artillery and troops and […]

Cranberry Lake Nestled within the breathtaking expanse of Deception Pass Park on Whidbey Island, discover Cranberry Lake. There is a phenomenon at Cranberry Lake where the fresh waters are separated from the saltwater of the Salish Sea. The two are separated by a relatively thin strip of sand. This serene lake offers more than picturesque views; it’s […]

Traffic Comes in Waves Traffic Comes in Waves: Navigating Coupeville’s Ferry Flow If you have spent any amount of time in Coupeville, it is likely you have experienced a unique traffic pattern. There are periods of quiet, followed by sudden surges of cars flooding the streets. This phenomenon is affectionately referred to as “traffic coming in waves,” and it’s […]

Driftwood that line the beaches of Whidbey There’s something magical about the piles of driftwood that line the beaches of Whidbey Island and other coastal spots throughout the Pacific Northwest. These bleached, weathered logs evoke a sense of timelessness and add to the rugged beauty of the shoreline. But have you ever wondered where all that driftwood comes from, or how it […]

Bowman Bay Photograph provided by @PNWBirdie Bowman Bay, located in the stunning Deception Pass State Park, is a place steeped in history and natural beauty. For generations, this serene bay has been a source of wonder and a haven for explorers, families, and nature enthusiasts alike. Its tranquil waters, framed by rugged shores, provide more than just […]

The Development of Deception Pass Recognized for its breathtaking beauty and stunning engineering, the Deception Pass Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington State. Spanning the turbulent waters of Deception Pass and connecting Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island. The bridge has become a symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s natural and manmade wonders, drawing countless visitors each year. […]

Ebey’s House at Ebey’s Landing After making the trek across the Oregon Trail in the early 1850s to reunite with their son Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, and their children Mary, Ruth, and Winfield began building their home atop what we call today “Ebey’s Landing” in Coupeville. This scenic location looked over the incredible Admiralty Inlet and to their son Issac’s home […]

Hay Bale Farming Hay bale farming is a part of Whidbey Island’s culture and iconic scenery. While you are driving around the island you are likely to see large oversized marshmallow shapes in farm fields. These are bales covered in plastic to reduce handling and eliminate the need for storage. We are lucky to live in an area […]

Admiralty Light House History Photo by: @pnwdeparture If you’re sailing into Admiralty Inlet from the open ocean Point Wilson sits to the West of you and Admiralty Head to the East. This entrance to the vast inland waters of Puget Sound is marked by lighthouses on either side to alert ship traffic at night. Let’s review some of Admiralty […]

Fort Ebey State Park Fort Ebey State Park is so much more than just a pretty picture. These remnants of an old gun emplacement from 1942 overlook Admiralty Inlet and create the perfect recipe for a trip back in time. During World War II, this battery with underground rooms was dug into the high bluff as a defensive fort. […]

Sunset at Deception Pass State Park Destination Deception Pass! Have you ever stopped for a sunset at Deception Pass State Park? This image, taken from Pass Island looking out towards Deception Island at sunset, is one of the glorious scenes that keep Deception Pass the #1 most visited park in all of Washington State! There are so many ways to enjoy […]

Coupeville Waterfront Captains in the 1850s knew paradise when they saw it. The deep waters of Penn Cove were advantageous for commerce, the land was lush, the sea life was abundant, and the views were incredible. Coupeville became known as the “City of Sea Captains,” where at least 5 wharves have stretched into the cove over the […]

Fort Casey Forts The coast artillery post displays of Fort Casey State Park includes four inactive historic guns atop bunkers, dark tunnels underneath and control towers to climb. It creates an opportunity for both historical education and exploration. One of three forts built in the 1890’s, Fort Casey is part of the “Triangle of fire” safeguarding the entrance […]

Greenbank Farm Greenbank Farm was originally established in 1904 by Calvin Philips, then sold to loganberry farmer John Molz in 1940. The farm grew to become the largest loganberry-producing farm in the United States by 1970. Seven years later, the farm went up for sale. In an effort to retain its history and save the farm from […]

Tides around Whidbey Find someone about six feet tall, then imagine another six-foot-tall friend standing on their head, not their shoulders but their head. Tricky but illustrative. They’d still have to hold their breath if they stood at the low tide line. The tides around Whidbey Island can rise and fall about twelve feet. That’s a lot of […]

Coupeville Whale Bell Make your way down the Coupeville Wharf and into the big red building at the end. Your reward can be seen by looking up! A ceiling display of Rosie the Whale, Handsome Samson the Stellar sea lion, and Rudy the Dall’s porpoise greets you! You can also enjoy Harbor Gifts, The Cove Outfitters along with […]

Our Three Gateways Whidbey is an island. Fortunately, while many may appreciate our natural moat, life here is much easier because we have many threads to tie us to the mainland, and the mainland to us. If you move here you will need to add the bridge and ferries to your conversation starters because everyone has used them […]

Graffiti Wall West Beach Some call it graffiti while others call it art. Regardless, this iconic Whidbey Island slab of cement that sits perpendicular to the water on West Beach has become quite popular. Next to the West Beach County Park, it is the remains of a mostly washed away Bulkhead. Now, passers-by can enjoy an ever-changing canvas of […]