Whidbey Island, Washington

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Getting To-From the Island

  Whidbey Island is connected to the mainland via WA-20 across the historic Deception Pass Bridge, on the northern end of the island, and is the only road on and off the island. WA-20 and WA-525 serve as a continuous north-south thoroughfare through Whidbey Island, connecting to each ferry terminal. 
  
  Note that although all our families are stationed at NAS Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor), and most reside within the Oak Harbor area, a few have previously chosen to live in Anacortes (off-island, 32 km from the base) or Coupeville (24 km from the base). It is strongly recommended to live on the island, as the only access to the base is via the bridge. In the event the bridge closes, there is no alternative route, and the member is responsible to use a day of leave. 
  
  Alternative Transportation:

  • The ferry system has numerous crossings per day. Rates and schedules can be found on the WSDOT website.
  • The on island bus system (Island Transit) is free and runs daily with the exception of Sundays.
  • Uber/Lyft are not available on island but there are local taxi services and car rentals through Enterprise. 

   

• Weather & Natural Disasters

  Whidbey Island enjoys a moderate climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 0°C in the winter and reaching the low 30s°C during the summer. Due to its milder temperatures, snow is uncommon. The island receives less rainfall than much of the Pacific Northwest, as it lies within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, averaging just over 20 inches of rain annually.

  In the winter months, the island can be quite grey, with extended periods of cloud cover and limited sunshine. This lack of sunlight can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition to be mindful of during the darker months. Learn more about SAD. 

  Island residents should be aware of a few potential hazards. The region is located along multiple fault lines, making earthquakes a possibility at any time. An earthquake could also trigger a tsunami. In addition to seismic risks, the most common local hazards include high winds, winter storms, and heat waves.

  For more information on local hazards and preparedness, visit Island County Local Hazards. 

• Oak Harbor Amenities
  Oak Harbor may have just two big chain retailers—Walmart and Home Depot—but it boasts a wide variety of local shops, including clothing stores, coffee spots, thrift shops, and a mix of fast food and restaurants, both local and chain.
  
  For a smaller city, it offers plenty. There's a local movie theater, a drive-in with games and go-karts, a bowling alley, a roller rink with skating and pickleball, the Whidbey Playhouse for live theater, several gyms, Imagination Cove for kids, the Pacific Northwest Naval Museum, and organized sports through various local groups like Parks and Recreation, which also runs a community pool. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, and more, while there are also numerous options for music, art, and cultural classes.
• Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

  NAS (Naval Air Station) Whidbey Island is home to the Canadian detachment, where all personnel are stationed to work at TUSC PAC (Theater Undersea Surveillance Command Pacific), except for any pilots assigned to the air station. TUSC PAC is a secure facility, and as such, cell phones or smart devices— including smartwatches— are not permitted.

  NAS Whidbey Island is very supportive of the Canadian detachment, offering a wide array of resources for service members and their families. These include the Fleet and Family Support Center, MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) programs, the base gym, library, youth center, Convergence Zone, the Navy Exchange (NEX), and the Commissary. 
  
  To learn more about all the base has to offer, visit Navy Life PNW - NAS Whidbey Island or check out their Facebook page.

• Local Healthcare

  The Naval Health Clinic on base is where all Canadians will have their assigned family doctor and members will receive dental services. The clinic also offers immunizations, laboratory services, a pharmacy, x-rays and more. Learn more at NAS Whidbey Island - Health Care Overview. 
  
  Please be aware that there is no emergency room on base. The closest ER is at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville, approximately 15 minutes away, while Island Hospital in Anacortes is about 35 minutes off-island.
  
  For dental care, there are several family dental providers and an orthodontist located within the local community.
  
  For general healthcare guidance, please visit www.cfmws.ca/us-healthcare.

• Children's Education

  Oak Harbor is served by seven schools within the Oak Harbor Public Schools district. These include:

  • Crescent Harbor Elementary (K-4)
  • Hillcrest Elementary (K-4)
  • Oak Harbor Elementary (K-4)
  • Olympic View Elementary (K-4)
  • Oak Harbor Intermediate (5-6)
  • North Whidbey Middle School (7-8)
  • Oak Harbor High School (9-12)

  While French may be available as an elective, French Immersion is not currently offered in the district. For more information, visit Oak Harbor Public Schools. 

• Nearby Cities - Off Island
  • Burlington & Mt Vernon - 45m 
    • The closest cities with popular stores like Costco, Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, and more.
  • Maryville - 1h 10m
  • Bellingham - 1h 15m
  • Everett - 1h 20m
  • Peace Arch Border Crossing - 1h 25m
    • Washington > British Columbia
  • Seattle - 1h 50m
  • Vancouver Airport - 2h
  • Seattle-Tacome Airport - 2h 
    • Shuttle service from island: Seatac Airport Shuttle