Explore Guemes Island

File photo

Guemes island is accessible via a ferry, which leaves about once an hour.

For a hike or easy day trip to a nearby island, catch a quick ferry to Guemes Island.

Recreation options include Young’s Park, which is 13 acres at 4243 Guemes Island Road and offers picnicking amenities and water access.

Head east for a view of nearby islands from Guemes Mountain, which offers a hike that is roughly 1.2 miles and has 550 feet of elevation gain.

The trailhead is just off South Shore Road and includes a bike rack.

The Peach Preserve is located off South Shore Drive and is well-known for birdwatching with 64 acres of protected land and a half-acre of trails. Kelly’s Point beach is protected land accessible for low-impact, non-motorized use. Parking is accessible from West Shore Drive.

You can stay longer than a day. Guemes Island Resort offers a variety of accommodations and features a boat launch, kayaks and sauna.

The Guemes Island Store, right near the ferry landing, is the main commercial operation on the island. It offers frequent live music, local food and some grocery items.

Guemes Island is accessible only by boat, but it’s a short five-minute ferry ride from Fidalgo Island.

The ferry terminal is located at 500 I Ave. and offers frequent trips across the channel.

For schedule and pricing for passengers and vehicles, visitskagitcounty.net/Departments/PublicWorksFerry/ main.htm.