Bainbridge Island in a nutshell
Bainbridge Island sits in Puget Sound across the water from Seattle. Most visitors arrive by Washington State Ferries from Colman Dock, Pier 52, and the crossing takes about 35 minutes. The island can also be reached by road over the Agate Pass Bridge. Winslow is the town center, a short walk from the ferry landing.
The city covers 27.78 square miles of land, about 72 km², and 53 miles of shoreline, about 85 km. The 2020 census counted 24,825 residents, and the estimate for July 2025 is 24,691. That is enough space for a botanical garden, a free art museum, beaches, forest trails and a handful of tasting rooms, all within a day trip from Seattle.
This guide covers the ferry, what to do on the island, day trips from Seattle to Poulsbo and Port Gamble, wineries, Suquamish, the Olympic Peninsula, the weather and where to stay. Prices are in US dollars, as listed for 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Bainbridge Island tours
A two-hour guided island tour, an Olympic day trip from Seattle and a winery tour with dinner. Most start on the island, so plan the ferry from Seattle separately; the Olympic tour includes it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Island winery tour with dinner
- Wine tastings included
- Gourmet dinner
- Transport by luxury vehicle
A winery tour of about three and a half hours with a dinner. You take the ferry from Seattle yourself and walk to the pick-up point, so the fare is extra.
Check availability →
Olympic National Park day tour in a small group
- Park entry included
- Ferry both ways
- Sandwich lunch
A long day from Seattle that crosses to Bainbridge Island on the ferry and continues to the Olympic mountains, with a driver-guide and several pick-up options.
Check availability →
Bainbridge Island discovery tour
- English-speaking guide
- Fees and taxes included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
A two-hour guided drive around the island that begins outside the ferry terminal. The ferry from Seattle is extra.
Check availability →Bainbridge Island tours and day trips from Seattle
Day trips by ferry, wine tours, Olympic Peninsula excursions and city tours, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the ferry and the list of things to do, then pick the pages you need.
The Bainbridge Island ferry
Fares, parking, bikes and how the autumn 2026 schedule works.
Things to do
Gardens, museums, the farmers market and the water.
Seattle day trips
Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Port Gamble and the Olympic Peninsula.
Wineries and tasting
What a tasting room visit involves and the rules for age.
Bloedel Reserve
Tickets, time slots and opening hours.
Museum of Art
Free entry, daily hours and holiday closings.
Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
The history of 30 March 1942 and how to visit.
Island parks
Fay Bainbridge, Fort Ward, Battle Point and Grand Forest.
Winslow
The town center, the waterfront and a walk from the ferry.
Poulsbo and Port Gamble
A Scandinavian waterfront town and an old mill town.
Suquamish
The museum, the grave of Chief Seattle and a living community.
Olympic National Park
Routes, entry fees and distances from the island.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rain, month by month.
Where to stay
Staying near Winslow, or camping at Fay Bainbridge.
Getting there
From Sea-Tac to the ferry, by car and by bus.
History
The Suquamish, the mills and the ferries.
A few things to know before you go
Details that save you time and money in 2026.
You pay the walk-on fare in Seattle
Foot passengers pay at Colman Dock, and there is no second walk-on fare on Bainbridge. Vehicle fares are collected on both sides. Cards carry a 3 percent surcharge since 1 March 2026.
Ferry fares and schedule →Bloedel Reserve prices follow the season
An adult ticket is $22 from October to April and $26 from May to September. A time slot is recommended, and tickets bought elsewhere are not accepted.
Bloedel Reserve →The memorial has two sets of hours
The outdoor site is open every day from dawn to dusk. The visitor center is open Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visiting the memorial →The farmers market runs until late November
The 2026 season is 4 April to 21 November, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Things to do →Suquamish Museum has shorter hours
The museum is open Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for now. Check the hours before you drive over.
Suquamish →Olympic National Park costs $30 per car
The fee covers a private vehicle for 7 consecutive days. The park does not charge the extra entry fee that some other national parks add for visitors from abroad.
Olympic National Park →Bainbridge Island: frequently asked questions
How long does the ferry from Seattle take?
The crossing takes about 35 minutes. Add time for boarding and waiting, especially with a car. Washington State Ferries runs the route between Colman Dock, Pier 52, and the terminal at 270 Olympic Drive SE. See the ferry page.
Do I need a car on Bainbridge Island?
Not for Winslow. The Museum of Art is about a 5 minute walk from the ferry landing, and the History Museum about 10 minutes. For the Bloedel Reserve, the parks or Suquamish, a car helps, although island buses and an on-demand service exist. See getting there.
Is it worth going for just one day?
Yes. A day covers the crossing, Winslow, a museum and one of the bigger sights such as the Bloedel Reserve. The Seattle day trips page shows how to combine the island with Poulsbo or Port Gamble, and why the Olympic Peninsula needs its own day.
What does it cost to get to the island?
An adult walk-on fare is $11.35 in autumn 2026, paid in Seattle. A standard vehicle under 22 feet with driver is $20.25 each way. Teens up to 18 travel free on foot. Fares depend on the season, so check the current table.
When is the best time to visit?
July and August are the driest and warmest months, with average highs around 25°C at Seattle's airport. Winter is wetter. The weather page lists every month.
Is Bainbridge-Island.org the official website of the island?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington State Ferries, any museum, winery, hotel or tour operator.