Seattle Island Day Trips

Hop on a 35-minute Washington State Ferry from downtown Seattle and sail across Puget Sound for stunning views of the skyline, Mt. Rainier, and the Cascades.

Once on Bainbridge Island, stroll through Winslow, the charming ferry town lined with boutiques, bookshops, and cafés. Start with coffee and a lemon-blueberry scone at Blackbird Bakery, then browse Eagle Harbor Book Co. for local reads.

Next, head to the Bloedel Reserve, a peaceful 150-acre garden of mossy trails, reflective ponds, and forest paths — one of Washington’s true hidden gems.

Return to Winslow for lunch at Cafe Hitchcock or The Madison Diner, before catching the ferry back with an ice cream in hand and those signature Seattle skyline views.

No trip to the San Juan Islands is complete without spotting an orca and indulging in something sweet afterwards. Head to Lime Kiln Point State Park, nicknamed Whale Watch Park, where pods of black and white orcas glide past the cliffs almost daily in summer. Pack binoculars, patience, and a sense of awe; few wildlife experiences are as moving. Afterwards, reward yourself with a scoop (or two) from Lopez Island Creamery, the Pacific Northwest’s cult favourite ice cream brand. Made in small batches since the 1990s, their rich, creamy flavours from Marionberry to Fudge Brownie taste even better with an ocean view.

Getting there:
Jump in the car and drive up to Anacortes (just under 2 hours), then it's an hour ferry ride to the island. We recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance, especially in the summer.

Or for the full experience, a flight by seaplane is around 45 mins, plus you’ll get stunning views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the islands below.