Travel
Getting to Whidbey Island
Flying IN
Coupeville, WA is about a two-hour drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and just an hour's drive from Paine Field. You can either rent a car at either airport or take the Whidbey-Seatac Shuttle, which picks up at both locations and drops off in downtown Coupeville. From there, it's a 20-minute walk to the Coupeville Inn and a 6-minute drive to the Captain Whidbey. You may rent a car at either airport or take the Whidbey-Seatac Shuttle, which picks up at both airports and drops off in downtown Coupeville (20 min. walk from the Coupeville Inn and 6 min. drive from the Captain Whidbey).
For the most convenient travel to your accommodations and the freedom to explore Whidbey Island over the weekend, we recommend renting a car.
Please note that Uber and Lyft services on the island are infrequent and unreliable.
Driving
If you're driving, you have several options:
You can "drive around" the island by taking the Deception Pass Bridge at the north end, which avoids ferries.
You can take the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry at the south end, just one ferry ride from Seattle. While reservations are not required, we recommend arriving at least 1 hour before departure to secure a spot.
If you're coming from the Olympic Peninsula, you can take the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry on the west side. This ferry offers advance reservations, and it's best to book at least two weeks in advance to guarantee a spot.
All routes provide breathtaking views, and we recommend taking the time to experience Deception Pass at least once during your journey!
If driving, note there will be traffic between Seattle and Everett, so plan accordingly.
If taking the ferry, note that there are often delays during the summer. Give yourself extra time to avoid missing a boat. Consider using Ferry Friend or checking the Live cams from WSDOT for more detailed ferry info.
If you doubt that you’ll be able to catch a ferry, drive around.
Where to Stay
Due to limited capacity, not all guests will be able to stay at the Captain Whidbey.
We will contact those who are staying on the property directly (by the end of february) to coordinate room assignments and provide instructions on how to book their rooms.
If you are not staying at the Captain Whidbey Inn, we highly recommend the Coupeville Inn. Located in the charming downtown Coupeville, it is just a short walk from shops, restaurants, and the waterfront.
We are currently coordinating a room block with their staff and will update this section of the website with the details by the end of January 2025. Stay tuned for more information! :)
Air Bnb or Vrbo
If you prefer to stay in a vacation rental, we recommend booking early, as availability on the island is somewhat limited. Please let us know where you book, and feel free to consult with us in advance to ensure the rental is in a convenient location.
If possible, we will make an effort to add stops to the shuttle route for those not staying at the Coupeville Inn, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate all requests.
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