The absolute best things to do on Lummi Island

Updated: Oct 25, 2022

An orange sunset behind the silhouette of a mountain with fisherman on Legoe Bay with timber and fishing equipment along the shore. ©AlonzoWright

A lazy October sun sinks below the horizon along Legoe Bay on Lummi Island. ©AlonzoWright

Things to do on Lummi Island really depend on the time of year you visit. It’s nestled in the same region as the Canadian Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state, so the weather is a big factor to consider when planning your day. If weather permits, by all means, get outside. The Salish Sea provides so many opportunities to explore on the water so boating, kayaking, crabbing, fishing and paddle boarding are great ways to enjoy the scenery.

Visiting the San Juan Islands? Visit nearby Whidbey Island

With wildlife being so abundant, booking a kayaking tour or a whale watching excursion during high season is a must. If the island is blanketed in the gray, soggy weather its known for, you can take refuge in one of the few artist’s studios or galleries, grab an artfully crafted cocktail by the wood-burning fireplace at the Willows Inn, or book a wine tasting at the Artisan Wine Gallery. As mentioned in our Lummi Island Travel Guide, some of the more traditional sightseeing opportunities can feel limited if you go during the off-season. But it’s important to remember that a trip to Lummi Island can also be a celebration of slow, deliberate travel that so often goes overlooked. Traveling can, and should, be just as much about creating opportunities to savor a slowdown and reset ourselves.

here are the absolute best things to do on Lummi Island in Washington.

Wooded path with towering green alpine trees, ferns and moss covered logs in Baker Preserve on Lummi Island, Washington. ©AlonzoWright

1. Go hiking at Baker Preserve

The Baker Preserve is an astounding inclined hike that is so worth the effort to get there. You will climb to a staggering 1,060 feet (323 meters) in just over a mile and a half (2.4 kilometers) through what can only be described as the location inspiration behind the children’s movie FernGully. It feels like a land of fairies and wise old trees, lending their wisdom to those who speak their native tongue. There are reaching and curling branches shooting across a thick, velvet canopy that just seems to pulsate with life. The trail itself is well-marked and tightly packed with leaves and pine needles, making it slippery in some places. You’ll walk around waist-high ferns, across fallen logs that are dotted by brightly colored mushrooms and some scurrying wildlife. It is just plain magical.