Lummi Island Information

Frequently Asked about Lummi Island

Lummi Island is in the San Juan Islands in Washington State and is accessible by a 10 minute ferry ride from the mainland at Gooseberry Point, just north of Bellingham, Washington.

Lummi Island is approximately 10 miles long with a mountain on the south end and rolling hills of farmland and forest in the center and on the north end of the island.

The population of this island community is about 800 full-time characters and doubles in the summer when the rest of the characters return to their cabins and hideaways.

Lummi Island is well known for reefnet salmon fishing, artists, supra-oxygenated air, island vistas, wildlife at your doorstep, land trust trails, bicycling on winding roads and bucolic landscape. The acclaimed chef at the Willows Bed & Breakfast has also drawn national culinary attention to this tranquil domain.

The Whatcom County ferry runs every hour from 6 am to midnight between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island. See ferry schedule here

The nearest airports to Lummi Island are, in order of distance, Bellingham International Airport (BLI), Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Bicycles – sometimes available for rent on Lummi Island. Best to bring your own.

Beach Fires – We recommend you check Lummi Island Fire District before striking a match. Glorious summer days are usually accompany a ban on burning.

Community: Lummi Island has a general store, The Islander, public library, post office, fire station, and two nondenominational churches.

The Islander grocery store will stock your refrigerator upon request.

The Lummi Island post office can accept your mail addressed to General Delivery, Lummi Island, 98262. They will hold the mail for 5 days.

The Whatcom County ferry runs every hour from 6 am to midnight between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island. See ferry schedule here

Kayak rentals – see the links below.

Lummi Island Roads & Traffic – 2 lane roads are narrow with no paved edge. The observed speed limit is 25 mph. The roads are safe for daytime bicycling and walking. They circle around the waters edge and then wind up the mountain. Remember to yield to the occasional traffic. There is a courtesy hand wave enactment, see how many waves you get back. There are no street lights, drivers are not able to see you in the dark.

The Silver Reef Casino and Golf Course is within 10 miles from the Lummi Island vacation property on the Lummi Indian Reservation. There you will find an Event Center that hosts concerts and other events such as car shows and boxing.

Massage is available on Lummi Island. Please enquire.

Sailing – Take a sailing lesson or charter a sail boat, see the links below.

Golf courses are nearby. The North Bellingham Golf Course is 12 miles drive and a public course.

THINGS TO DO

Circle Lummi Island on bicycles. From the house around the north end of the island along the shoreline and back is 9.4 miles, not including the mountain.

Fly a kite on the beach

Kayak your way from the beach in front of Lummi Beach Haven to the point on Legoe Bay

Wake up with a swim. The average water temperature in winter reaches 46.4°F, in spring 48.2°F, in summer the average temperature rises to 57.2°F, and in autumn it is 53.6°F. Bring water shoes to get over the rocks.

Dig clams on low tide. Clams found along the Lummi Island shoreline include horse, varnish, manila, native littleneck, macoma, cockle, butter, and eastern softshell.

Lummi Island Heritage Trust Calendar of Events

Watch the whales pass through the straits with our telescope

Walk the labyrinth in the quiet woodlands located behind the church.

Pick blackberries around the island in late summer

Star gazing

EXPLORE THE ISLAND

Hike the trails maintained by the Lummi Island Heritage Trust: Lummi Mountain via the Baker, Otto Farm, Curry Farm and Aiston Preserves.

Beachcomb for agates and glass floats while surrounded by bald eagles, otters and sea gulls.

Discover the petroglyphs on the western shore

Find two of the oldest trees on the island. (they have labels)

Walk or run the loop – 3.1 miles – start in front of the house, going in either direction.

Dance in the moonlight with the hooting owls. Don’t miss the Owl Prowl in September in the forest behind the Otto Farm on Lummi Island.

All-Island Talent Review, early June, at the Beach School. Any Questions? call Ingrid McGarry @ 360 676-4373.

Visit the Lummi Island Public Library for events like story time, afternoon scrabble, visiting lectures, sing-a-longs !

Rent movies from the Islander Store or the Library

Write postcards and mail from the Lummi Island Post Office

SHOP

Lummi Island Artist Studio Tour during open house tours on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 2nd weekend in November.

Lummi Island Holiday Bazaar – first weekend in December at the Grange. Find unique gifts, artists, books, music, jewels, magic and good food,

Lummi Farmers Market in spring and summer, Sat – 10 -1P pm in the parking lot by the Islander Store.

Roadside stands for fresh eggs,produce, and flowers, selling on the “honor system” – make your own change.

Lavender Festival- Get some scents in July

EAT & DRINK

Artisan Wine Tasting – Wine tasting each Friday from 4-7 and each Saturday from 2-6, or anytime for “wine emergencies.” (360.758.2959). Or have them host a wine party .

Chili cook-off competition in mid-July, sponsored by the Lummi Island Heritage Trust.

Willows Inn : For those that are not staying at the Willows, call to be on a wait list. They will notify you 2 weeks prior to your reservation and let you know if you are close to getting in. It’s worth a try ! Tel: 360-758-2620

Taste the famous Lummi Island wild salmon at the Reefnet Festival in August – with music, beer garden and tours of working reefnet boats.

Picnic on the beach

Islander Store. Early arrivals at the Islander are rewarded with a selection of mouthwatering freshly baked bread, pastries and coffee. It’s worth getting out of bed !

WINE TOURING IN WHATCOM VALLEY

Vartanyan Estate Winery – Bellingham, WA 98226

Mt Baker Vineyards Everson, WA, 98247

Dynasty Wine CellarsBellingham, WA

GLM Wine Company Blaine, WA,

Chuckanut Ridge Wine Co. – Bellingham, WA 98225

Samson Estates WineryEverson, WA 98199

Bellewood Distillery
Bellingham, Wa

Artisan Wine Tasting – Lummi Island, WA

Wine Tours by Limousine – +1 360-384-9999

MICRO BREWERIES

Kulshan Brewery Bellingham, WA

North Fork Brewery Deming, WA

Boundary Bay BreweryBellingham, WA

Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen Bellingham, WA

TRAVEL TO THE FARM

BelleWood Acres – Pick your own apples, cider, distillery, train rides, and more


Bellingham Country Gardens – You pick vegetables, open July 1 – October 31. Family owned and operated with flowers, veggies and spray free hand-picked berries

Bellingham Farmers Market – fresh produce, food and crafts. Saturdays & Wednesdays in Fairhaven.

Cascadia Mushrooms – organically grown gourmet and medicinal mushrooms 360-714-8859

Cloud Mountain Farm Center –a nursery, workshop and living laboratory.


Pure Peonies – Sustainable farming practices with over 10,000 peonies available for potted, fresh cuts or tubers. (206) 650-6306


Inspiration Farm – Organic Farm and Glass Blowing studio

More links

  • Lummi Island Heritage Trust
  • Life on Lummi Island – Photos
  • Lummi Island Heritage
  • Lummi Island Fire Department
  • Lummi Island Library
  • Lummi Island Grange