Ebey's Landing at sunset

Getting to the Water’s Edge

69 Beaches, 2 Islands, 1 Book

Water's Edge Book

A field guide to shoreline access and facilities, parks, marine life, stewardship, and natural history of Island County, Washington.

A labor of love and dedication, this 198-page spiral-bound 2020 edition of Getting to the Water’s Edge on Whidbey and Camano Islands is your go-to guide to all the beaches in Island County, and so much more. Produced entirely by Sound Water Stewards, the book was generously supported by community sponsors, non-profits, friends, and SWS members who paid for the printing costs. Proceeds from sales support SWS ongoing programs and activities. Mail-order here online or find your copy at a local book store, hardware store, gift shop or marine supplies store (list below).

The guide covers 69 beaches on Whidbey and Camano Islands, plus:

  • Birding
  • Hiking 
  • Accessibility of beaches and trails 
  • Kayak and boat launches
  • Dog parks
  • Intertidal species identification guide
  • Stewardship best practices
  • Natural and human history, historic sites
  • Geology
  • Beach processes
  • Legal rights
  • Tables and maps
  • ISBN 978-1-7343529-0-0

Getting to the Water’s Edge is back and it’s brilliant! The third edition of Island County’s preeminent guide to the shoreline is not only beautiful but packed with resources. It’s a huge achievement for Sound Water Stewards and their deep talent pool of volunteers. They created a masterpiece that other counties envy, but none have been able to emulate.

Dan Pederson, Local Author

Purchase GTWE for $20 at local stores on Whidbey

  • 3 Sisters Market – Coupeville
  • Ace Hardware – Freeland & Oak Harbor
  • Bayview Farm & Garden – Langley
  • Coupeville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center
  • Greenbank Farm Wine Shop – Greenbank
  • Kingfisher Books – Coupeville
  • Langley Whale Center – Langley
  • Linds on Whidbey – Freeland
  • Madrona Supply Co – Clinton
  • Moonraker Books – Langley
  • Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Exchange – Oak Harbor NAS
  • Sea Glass Cove – Langley
  • Wind & Tide Bookshop – Oak Harbor
  • Wild Birds Unlimited – Freeland

Purchase GTWE for $20 at local stores on Camano

Camano Island

  • Ace Hardware
  • Cama Beach State Park Welcome Center
  • Camano Commons Marketplace
  • Elger Bay Grocery & Gifts
  • Kristoferson Farm Stand & Gift Shop

Stanwood

  • Picnic Pantry
  • Studio 271

Purchase at stores outside Island County

Anacortes

  • Alley Cat Antiques
  • Marine Supply & Hardware

Bayview

  • Padilla Bay Research Reserve Giftshop

LaConner

  • SeaPort Books

Everett

  • Burkett’s Home and Gifts

Marysville

  • Hilton & Co Gift Shop

Bellingham

  • Village Books & Paper Dreams

Edmonds

  • Edmonds BookShop

Lynnwood – Bellevue – Seattle

  • Made in WA Stores

The sponsors below provided financial support to underwrite the printing costs. We appreciate them!

Community Sponsors

  • Boatyard Inn
  • Cairn Financial
  • Cama Beach Cafe’ & Catering
  • Camano Island Chamber of Commerce
  • Friends of Camano Island Parks
  • Dan Gulden, Broker
  • Island Beach Access
  • Orca Network’s Langley Whale Center
  • Orca Network
  • Camano Center’s 2nd Chance Thrift Shop
  • The Rotary Club of Stanwood/ Camano Island
  • Whidbey Camano Land Trust
  • Whidbey Watershed Stewards

Partner Sponsors

  • A.S.E.&T. Landsurveying
  • Cama Beach Foundation
  • Inn at Langley, Matt Costello
  • Candace Jordan, Realtor
  • Dana MacInnis, Realtor
  • Lisa Rogers, Broker
  • Karen White, Realtor