Frequently Asked

Downtown Coupeville is about 4.7 miles from the ferry dock. If you’re coming from the Olympic Peninsula, be sure to have a transportation plan!

In Downtown Coupeville, bathrooms are located in the Town Parking Lot next to the Coupeville Library, and the Town Park at Coveland and Madrona Way. Most businesses do not have public restrooms.

Check out our Parking Page for tips!

Please check each business for their open hours. But most businesses in downtown Coupeville are open by 11 AM. Monday and Tuesday are the most common days for businesses to close.

There is much to see and do in Coupeville, and it’s easy to build the perfect trip to fit in how much time you’re visiting and what you like to do. Take a look at our options above to see art, outdoor activities, shopping, restaurants, and more. Stop by our Visitor’s Information Center for some customized tips. Or take advantage of our First Timers Itinerary available online!

Gray whales and Orcas migrate past Whidbey Island. While they don’t often come as far north into the Sound, they can occasionally be spotted from the Coupeville Wharf and other downtown locations. Ring the whale bell mounted next to the Wharf to alert everyone of the wonderful sight! They can occasionally be spotted from the west side of the island as well, though regular boat and ferry traffic can keep them away from land.

Gray whales can usually be spotted from the end of February through the end of May. Orcas are less easy to predict, but can usually be seen between October and December.

For the best views, sign up for a whale watching tour departing from Deception Pass or the Langley Marina.

Coupeville hosts a good variety of restaurants that vary in cuisine and atmosphere. Be sure to check out our Where to Eat section to learn more.

In the waters just north of Coupeville is the Penn Cove Shellfish mussel flats and draws seafood lovers year-round. While the production facility itself is not open to the public, mussels are easy to find. Many restaurants in town offers local mussels on the menu. For raw mussels to cook yourself, we recommend Prairie Center Market.

During special events such as the annual Musselfest, there may be additional places to buy mussels downtown; please check with the event’s information booth.

The beaches just north of downtown Coupeville, along Madrona Drive, are also popular places to dig for clams. Please follow Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife‘s guidelines on whether shellfish harvesting is permitted. Please note: clamming from the beaches off Front Street is never permitted or safe for human consumption.

The natural beauty of Central Whidbey draws outdoor enthusiasts and campers year round. Campgrounds fill up quickly in the summer months, so plan for an early start.

Check out our Camping & RV page for some guidance. Fort Casey does not take reservations and is on a first-come basis. Fort Ebey offers some reservations. Rhododendron Park has tent and RV camp sites without reservations.

As an island nestled into the mouth of Puget Sound, Whidbey offers a variety of opportunities for fishing, crabbing, and clamming. Whidbey & Camano Islands Tourism has a fantastic starter guide on their website here. Be sure to pick up your Department of Fish & Wildlife permit before heading out. Prairie Center Market is a great spot to pick one up.

The Coupeville Visitors Information Center, located at 905 NW Alexander Street in the old firehouse at the heart of Downtown, has the stamp to the right of the front desk.

Additional locations are at the Ebey’s Reserve Trust Board Office at 162 Cemetery Road, the Ebey House (open seasonally), Island County Museum, Fort Casey State Park, and Fort Ebey State Park.

The Coupeville Visitors Information Center, located at 905 NW Alexander Street in the old firehouse at the heart of Downtown, has lots of helpful information and resources including maps for most of the region. Both the Coupeville-Port Townsend Ferry and the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry have large displays that frequently have maps on your way into the region. Or plan ahead and check our Maps page.

Island Transit offers fare-free public transportation throughout Whidbey and Camano Islands. Check out the bus schedule and then hop on to the bus with no pass, no fare, no fuss!

Whidbey is an island of diverse beaches. Rocky, sandy, prairie, you name it. The beach just off Front Street in Downtown Coupeville is accessible when it is not high-tide from a staircase right next to the entrance to the Wharf.

Fort Ebey State Park offers three miles of shoreline perfect for hiking, fishing, wildlife and scenery.

Beyond a 100+ year old military fort, Fort Casey also offers recreational opportunities along its sandy beaches.

Ebey’s Landing is one of the most iconic beaches on Whidbey and has featured in many international television ads and TV spots.

Get your free Visitors Guide from the Coupeville Chamber today! Our volunteers are happy to answer your questions.

Coupeville offers beautiful scenery, unique businesses, and activities all year round! Located in the Olympic Rain Shadow, Coupeville is often dryer and brighter than the rest of Washington State. There really isn’t a bad time to visit!

Peak tourism season is between March (usually kicked off with the Penn Cove MusselFest) and September. Lodging frequently books up, so this time of year requires planning ahead.

However, our businesses and activities stay open year round! Join us in October for Haunting of Coupeville activities, December for small town Coupeville Christmas, and the early months of the year for private, intimate experiences.

Please email any event submissions to info@coupevillechamber.com for our volunteers to add appropriate events to our public calendar. Or become a member and get access to the submission form yourself!

Businesses on this site are members of the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce. Membership is affordable and accessible to all businesses. Join online here or talk to our Chamber staff for additional feature opportunities.