Vacation Rental Guide for Whidbey Island, Wa

Whidbey Island is the fourth largest island in the United States, housing beautiful attractions like Pass Bridge and Fort Casey. The best time to visit if you’re looking for their warmest weather is between July and August, but if you want to plan a picturesque vacation, you need to learn more.

Whidbey is known for its delicious seafood and breathtaking forests. If you are looking for excitement, there is an abundance of festivals and hiking trails. There are also rentals available that will give you access to the most fantastic attractions the island offers.

This article will go over the best VRBO rentals on Whidbey Island. We’ll describe which rentals are best for a couple’s trip, family vacations, group getaways and things to do in the area.

Local Tips and Interesting Facts

Whidbey Island has a fascinating history. The island is known for:

• Discovery in 1972 by George Vancouver then Joseph Whidbey, who the island is named after.
• Rainy weather. On average, it will rain for 140 days in a year for Whidbey, but there are drier areas in the central district.
• Four beautiful lakes. These lakes are Cranberry Lake, Deer Lake, Lone Lake, and Goss Lake.

When visiting Whidbey Island, locals say that you must try their famous seafood. They also have many tips to make your vacation enjoyable, including:

• Unplugging your devices and connecting with the breathtaking forests
• Smelling the Chocolate Flower Farm before leaving.
• Finding Moonraker Books when lost. The shopkeeper closes the store to give tourists directions.

Best VRBO Rental for Couples: Bush Point Hideaway

The Bush Point Hideaway is a romantic cottage kept in a private bluff that overlooks the water. It is a cozy, two-bedroom home with one full bathroom complete with a tub and shower. Couples can spend romantic nights admiring Admiralty Inlet or one of the other picturesque waters.

The Hideaway is in an expansive lush environment that visitors can admire from their private balcony. But if you’re looking for a little more adventure, the grounds are open for exploration, so don’t hole up in the rental all weekend!

After a hike or a day of exploring, you and your partner can relax in the on-site hot tub. Most importantly, there is no need to worry about sharing this space with others; there is total privacy.

The cottage is stunning, furnished with antiques to give a rustic feel during your stay. During the weekend, you will enjoy being surrounded by artifacts of Whidbey’s rich history.

To make matters better, there is a fireplace for warming up on cold nights, and for dinner, there are two eating areas with waterfront views.

For those who love cooking, a full kitchen is available, including:

• Stove
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Oven
• Grill
• Toaster
• Coffee Maker
• Tea & Coffee
• Dishes

A washing machine and dryer are available for fresh clothes on extended visits. Besides these, guests have private parking and a personal telephone line for a little extra convenience.

There are two cable televisions with a complimentary DVD player for entertainment, so bring your favorite flicks. Guests will also be granted free Wi-Fi for online fun while they relax between trips. For nature lovers, a bird feeder is available for visitors to interact with new wildlife species.

Besides having a romantic setting and comfortable accommodations, there are several nearby activities for guests.

Things To Do Nearby for Couples

• When staying at the Bush Point Hideaway, beach adventures are only ten minutes away. You and your partner can get there via a relaxing, romantic walk and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery on the way. Alternatively, getting there by car will take less than five minutes.
• There are multiple parks available for nature walks and hikes, too. South Whidbey Island State Park is less than 20 minutes away, offering beautiful trees that you can explore, plus nearby restrooms. There is a gigantic 500-year-old cedar tree that tourists adore, or you can hop on one of the long, winding hiking trails.
• Another nearby activity is a trip to Blooms, a winery that serves delicious cuisine. Besides wine tasting, the restaurant also hosts festivals and live music every Friday. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore local artists while indulging in fine wines and delicacies.

The best perk of all is that the owners are open to suggesting additional events and activities to help make your stay more enjoyable. If you’re looking for added adventure, they’re only a phone call away with advice.

Best VRBO Rental for Families: Retreat at Sunset Beach

The Retreat at Sunset Beach is the ideal rental for families. Not only does it receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from satisfied visitors, but the rental offers added security features and premier entertainment for parents and children.

The rental can comfortably sleep seven guests. There are three spacious bedrooms with four bathrooms available, so there’s no need to be concerned about waiting for the washroom during your vacation or piling up in one bedroom.

The rental has enough parking to accommodate five vehicles, so each guest can have somewhere to put their car if you’re inviting your older children!

It is a waterfront home where guests can admire the water from an upstairs balcony or while enjoying lunch on the fully furnished patio. Mature visitors can indulge in the hot tub, while young children can treat themselves to complimentary games on site.

For entertainment, the home features:

• Television
• Stereo
• An iPod dock
• DVD player
• Books
• Game room
• Board games
• Wireless internet

There are also added safety features for a piece of mind during your vacation, including a deadbolt and exterior lighting. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors are available to prevent accidents, and a first-aid kit for any vacation mishaps.

Linens, towels, and soaps are all provided to you. There is a washer and dryer at your disposal for a little added convenience, and also a full kitchen with a wooden stove for homemade meals.

While enjoying your stay, remember to stop by the nearby parks and amusement sites.

Things To Do Nearby for Families

• The house is only fifteen minutes away from the Deception Pass Bridge, one of Whidbey’s renowned sites. Bring the whole family to admire the scenic waters under the bridge.
• Near the bridge is Deception Pass State Park. Here, visitors can interact with wildlife and hike in beautiful forestry. There is also crabbing, diving, fishing, and other water activities available for the whole family to enjoy.
• If you want more than nature exploration, consider heading to the PBY Memorial Foundation, where the family can get a glimpse of the rich World War II history that the museum offers. There are aviation displays for airplane lovers, and some are even interactive for the kids. Two flight simulators are available for children and adults to experience the aerial trials of battle.
• If you’re looking for a more scenic adventure, visitors can take a trip to the Port Townsend Ferry, twenty minutes away from the rental. You can schedule a group visit to Seattle or explore another convenient location that Whidbey has to offer.
• Finally, everyone can relax for an entertaining evening at Whidbey Playhouse, where the whole family will appreciate the heartfelt and comedic acts they offer.

Best VRBO Rental for Groups: Luxury Cape Cod

The Luxury Cape Cod is a famous Whidbey Island Rental known for its outstanding performance in ABC’s Sweet Retreats Travel Show. The massive home can sleep up to 12 visitors between its five bedrooms and offers four bathrooms available on site.

An added perk is that some bedrooms have a waterfront view, but there’s no need to worry about getting too heated in the sun because the entire home also offers the luxury of air conditioning. But if you schedule your visit for the winter, the fireplace can keep you warm and cozy.

Groups can enjoy stylish beach life at this sunny property, with the rental overlooking the Olympics and shipping lanes. If you’re a proud cook, there is a full kitchenette available, including:

• Full-size refrigerator
• Two ovens
• Microwave
• Espresso machine

The owners provide complimentary towels and linen for each guest, and a washer and dryer are on-site to fulfill your cleaning needs during your trip.

For visitors with young children, there is a crib and baby gate available on the premises. But you can send the kids off to the game room to experience:

• Pool tables
• Foosball
• Air hockey
• Entertainment stereo

As if the game room wasn’t enough, there is also an upstairs entertainment room stocked with:

• Flat-screen TV
• Surround sound speakers
• Xbox 360
• Blu-ray media player
• Roku

The ground floor of the rental is wheelchair accessible and offers widened doorways to accommodate all guests.

Things To Do Nearby for Groups

• As mentioned earlier, the home is within walking distance of a picturesque beach. During the summer, you can enjoy the warm tidal pools, or you can take a walk on the beach while the tide is low. Don’t forget to look for the abundance of aquatic life like seals and otters.
• Lastly, the beach is a safe, beautiful site for overnight camping. During the evenings, the surroundings are serene, and guests can watch the rising tides come morning.

When looking for further adventure, the Whidbey Island Ferry is nearby to take you to the:

• Boeing Everett Factory
• Point Casino
• Alderwood Mall
• Lynnwood Convention Centre

After your ferry ride, remember to make a pit stop at Edmond’s Centre for the Arts, where you can catch multiple live performances scheduled every week, and take a moment to admire the premier artwork on display.

Final Thoughts

Whidbey Island is a natural wonder that travelers love. Guests need at least two nights of vacation to feel enchanted by the activities and surrounding nature. However, travelers should feel comfortable staying as long as they desire. Each of the above rentals permits long-term visits.

Is this your first trip to Whidbey Island? Nomadic Bard has a Whidbey travel video, which includes several attractions you should visit during your stay: