Camano Island
48 Hours of peaceful bliss.
The best place to relax, get away from the crowds, and immerse yourself in nature.
With no missed ferry anxiety.
AT A GLANCE
Access: Bridge from Stanwood (I5 exit 212)
Best Seasons: Any season, rain or shine
Tide Notes: Check for king low tides (June/July and Nov/Dec in 2025) for best coastal walking and exploration.
Passes: Both Cama Beach and Camano State Parks require a current Discover Pass to park.
Lenses: 400mm for wildlife encounters (bald eagles, herons, orca, owls, etc.) and a wide angle (anyhere between a 20 to 70mm) for capturing the scenery.
Day 1 - Shorelines & Forest Light
Catch your first lights on an east side shoreline overlooking Port Susan.
Early Morning
Iverson Beach & Tillicum Beach are two of our favorite public spots on the island that might even give you the chance to view Orcas passing along, playing, or hunting in the morning light. It is always mesmerizing to us to watch the first light peaking through clouds or clear skies giving us a surprise light show.
Late Morning
A beautiful hike at Barnum Point Preserve will reconnect you to nature and remind you how intermingled we all are as you stroll through old growth forests and down the coast lines and by tide pools (if at low tide)all within a short 3 mile hike.
Note posted signage; keep dogs leashed in parks and on shore walks, and please pick-up after fido.
Afternoon (forest loop)
Trade wind for trees. Choose a signed loop in Cama Beach State Park for moss, madrona, and quiet—good mid-day photography.
Golden Hour → Sunset (west-facing bluff/pocket beach)
Chase warm side-light over driftwood and rocky beaches whether you choose to sit at Cama Beach, or Camano Island State Park. Listen for owls.
Eat & Drink
Refuel at a local café mid-day; close out with a brewery tasting flight in the evening. See: Breweries, Cafés, Eco-Shops.
Day 2 - Tides, Views, and Local Flavor
Morning
Go for a different sunrise vantage point at English Boom, bring your coffee (and blanket if it’s the colder months). Watch the swallows, herons, and nesting bald eagles. Move slowly; leave what you find.
Late Morning (overlook/short viewpoint walk)
Grab a broad view for context shots and a weather read. Any beach overlooking Whidbey is a great view for a panorama, you will get close-up shots of Oak Harbor from Maple Grove, and a much different view point from Camano Island State Park.
Afternoon (hands-on/local culture)
Visit a local artist’s work at the Gateway Gallery by Freedom Park.
Golden Hour
Recommended shot from one of the State Parks looking over water and angling north.
Dinner & wind-down
Stop by for a quick dinner and local brew at SAAL.
Where to Stay?
Our choice is to stay at an Airbnb - where you are sure to have a wide selection. Here are some pointers:
North of the island provides easy access to Stanwood and many of the public parks.
South of the island provides more privacy, and most of the time, the Airbnbs are right on the water.
West of the island: Amazing sunset views and beautiful, private, uncrowded beach walks.
East of the Island (Port Susan): Stunning sunrises and beautiful private uncrowded more sandy beachwalks (Iverson).
