Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island, Washington
January 4, 2020
May 31, 2020,
June 27, 2020
November 21, 2020
Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island are two islands in the Puget Sound about a hour and a half drive northwest of Seattle. And yes, I visited them four times in 2020. I remember learning about this area of Washington during the first days of 2020. My co-worker, Emilia, had just returned from a holiday vacation on Whidbey Island and told me that I should check out the area. I searched the location right away, from my desk at work, and decided that I would go exploring that very weekend (as in two days later). These islands became a favorite hiking spot when I needed a quick and easy coastal escape. Across the two islands there are endless trails to wander, rugged cliffs, quiet coves, and beautiful views of Deception Pass.
Fidalgo Island is connected by bridge to mainland Washington on the north and to Whidbey Island on the south. To get to Whidbey Island you can drive around from the north via Fidalgo island. Or you can take a ferry from the city of Mukilteo out to Clinton on the southern end of the island. My preferred route is to drive to the northern end of Fidalgo Island and make my way south down Whidbey Island to catch the ferry back home to Seattle. This route makes for a pretty standard and enjoyable day trip from Seattle. A little driving, plenty of time for hiking, beautiful coastal views, and then a ferry ride home. What more could you want on a day's excursion? To read about other Washington ferry routes, check out my Have a Ferry Good Time blog post.
Fidalgo Island is connected by bridge to mainland Washington on the north and to Whidbey Island on the south. To get to Whidbey Island you can drive around from the north via Fidalgo island. Or you can take a ferry from the city of Mukilteo out to Clinton on the southern end of the island. My preferred route is to drive to the northern end of Fidalgo Island and make my way south down Whidbey Island to catch the ferry back home to Seattle. This route makes for a pretty standard and enjoyable day trip from Seattle. A little driving, plenty of time for hiking, beautiful coastal views, and then a ferry ride home. What more could you want on a day's excursion? To read about other Washington ferry routes, check out my Have a Ferry Good Time blog post.
Deception Pass and Bridge
Deception Pass is the waterway (and bridge) separating Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island. The pass connects various bays of water out to the Puget Sound. The bridge is an old metal structure with pedestrian sidewalks down both sides. You can park on either side and join the trail of sightseers walking across the bridge to take scenic pictures. The views of the pass from the bridge never disappoint.
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Fidalgo Island
On the Fidalgo Island side of the pass, start at Rosario Beach to check out the tidal pools. It is worth researching the tides and arriving during low tide. Immediately adjacent to the beach is Rosario Head, a bald hill with great views of the Puget Sound. From there, head on a hike out to Lighthouse Point. Don't get your hopes up to find a lighthouse though, I haven't found one yet . But, you will find worthwhile views overlooking Deception Pass and the bridge.
Rosario Beach
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Rosario Head
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Lighthouse Point
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Whidbey Island
On the Whidbey Island side, there is plenty to see in Deception Pass State Park, overlooking the pass. Or drive further south to Fort Ebey State Park for beach views and remnants of an old fort. Or head to Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve for a beautiful walk on a bluff overlooking a lagoon and the Puget Sound.
Deception Pass State Park
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Fort Ebey State Park
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Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
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