Introduction

Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island is located in Island County, Washington. The base has been in use since 1942 when it was first built as a refueling station for patrols over the Puget Sound. Today, almost 10,000 people live and work on base, including military personnel and civilian contractors. The base is over 168 square miles and contains the 3rd-largest fleet concentration in the U.S. Located in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, NAS Whidbey Island is a posting that sailors with PCS orders are going to love. There’s so much to do and see here, and the surrounding area is a treasure trove of the natural world. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on NAS Whidbey Island to help aid you in your transition to your new home.

1. Where Is NAS Whidbey Island?
2. Google Map View
3. Getting There – Directions to the Base
4. Entering NAS Whidbey Island and Base Amenities
   • Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
   • NAS Whidbey Island Visitor Center
   • NAS Whidbey Island DEERS Office
   • NAS Whidbey Island Gate Hours
   • NAS Whidbey Island Commissary
   • NAS Whidbey Island Exchange
   • NAS Whidbey Island Barber Shops
   • NAS Whidbey Island Post Office
   • NAS Whidbey Island Finance Office
   • NAS Whidbey Island Legal Office
   • NAS Whidbey Island Library
   • NAS Whidbey Island Hotels
5. Where Should I Live Near NAS Whidbey Island?
6. What Schools are Near NAS Whidbey Island?
7. What’s the Weather Like in NAS Whidbey Island?
8. Things to Do on NAS Whidbey Island

Where Is NAS Whidbey Island?

Nas Whidbey Island 3730 N Charles Porter Ave Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-2631

NAS Whidbey Island Base Map

Directions to NAS Whidbey Island

Greyhound Station

If you’re traveling light enough to take the bus, there’s a Greyhound station not too far from NAS Whidbey. The address is 105 E Kincaid St ste 100, Mt Vernon, WA 98273. You can connect here from hubs all over the country. This nearest Greyhound station is just a half-hour cab ride away.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

If you’re flying to your new home at NAS Whidbey, then Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is your closest option. This is a major airport that serves flights from just about everywhere.

Stanwood Station

Traveling by train is a simple feat as well, with the nearest Amtrak stop in Stanwood, a brisk 43 minutes from base.

Driving Directions

Because NAS Whidbey Island is in the northwestern most corner of the country, there aren’t many directions you could be coming from to get here. So follow this general northwest route and adapt it to your individual circumstances. 1. Take I-84 W to WA-14 2. Take exit 179 for I-82 3. Follow signs to I-90 W toward Seattle 4. Proceed to I-405 N 5. Merge onto I-5 N toward Vancouver 6. Take exit 230 for WA-20 7. At the second traffic circle, merge onto W Banta Rd 8. Follow signs to NAS Whidbey Island

NAS Whidbey Transportation Office

This should be your first call before heading out. Before packing or planning, and as soon as your PCS arrives. The transportation office can help you develop a concrete strategy to move yourself and your family to Whidbey without any snags.

NAS Whidbey Transportation Office

3675 W Lexington St Building #2556 Oak Harbor, WA, 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-3104

NAS Whidbey Transportation Office Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

  : 0730 to 1600

• Wednesday

  : 0900 to 1600

• Saturday and Sunday

  : Closed

Entering NAS Whidbey Island and Base Amenities

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

To enter through any of NAS Whidbey Island’s gates, you’ll need your ID and several documents. Make sure you bring along your orders, multiple forms of identification, and the registration for any vehicles you may be driving, including rental car agreements. Your family will need their dependent IDs. If they don’t have them yet, they can apply at the DEERS office. These are among the most important check-in procedures for incoming personnel, but make sure to report to the station officer of the deck in building 385 as soon as possible for further instructions.

NAS Admin Office

3730 N Charles Porter Ave Building 385 Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-1102

NAS Whidbey Island Visitor Center

The visitor center at NAS Whidbey is the access point for the public. This is where your identity will be verified, and that of any family or guests coming onto base to visit for events or other occasions.

NAS Whidbey Island Visitor Center

Building 2853 Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-5620

DEERS Office NAS Whidbey Island

The DEERS office is the place to go to apply for your military ID or pick up a new one if you’ve lost yours. This is also where your family will apply for their dependent ID cards that will allow them to enter and exit the base with ease. You can fill out an application and make appointments online.

NAS Whidbey DEERS

260 W Pioneer Way Building 13, Room 151 Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-6070

NAS Whidbey DEERS Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

  : 0730 to 1600

• Thursday

  : 0900 to 1600

• Saturday and Sunday

  : Closed

NAS Whidbey Island Gate Hours

Make sure to stay check for any updates to these hours before you attempt to enter or exit the base. Gate hours can change without warning.

• Charles Porter Gate

  : 24/7

• Langley Gate

  : 0530 - 1730 p.m. Monday - Friday

• Saratoga/Hospital Gate

  : 0630 - 0830 inbound, 1530 - 1730 outbound, Monday - Friday

• Hammer/Nortz Gate

  : 0600 - 2200 Monday - Friday

• Torpedo Gate

  : 24/7

• Maui Gate

  : 0600 - 2130 Monday - Friday, 0800 - 2130 weekends and holidays

NAS Whidbey Island Commissary

The commissary at NAS Whidbey Island is the place to go for reasonably priced goods and produce. Stock your cabinets here and get the best deals at the most convenient location.

NAS Whidbey Island Commissary

2090 N Coral Sea Ave Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-3318

NAS Whidbey Island Commissary Hours

• Monday

  : Closed

• Tuesday - Sunday

  : 0900 to 1900

NAS Whidbey Island Exchange

Stop by the BX at NAS Whidbey for a planned or impromptu shopping trip. Find everything you need here, including clothing and tactical gear, haircuts, and a food court. There’s no shortage of gift ideas to pick up for yourself or others.

NAS Whidbey Island Exchange

2110 North Coral Sea Avenue Building No. 17 Oak Harbor, WA, 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-0600

NAS Whidbey Island Exchange Hours

• Monday - Friday

  : 0600 to 1900

• Saturday and Sunday

  : 1000 to 1900

NAS Whidbey Island Barber Shops

1. Navy Exchange Barber Shop

1065 Lexington St Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-1795

2. Top O the Hill Barber Shop

979 Ault Field Rd Suite B Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 279-9878

3. Nexis Ex’s Barber Shop

931 Ault Field Rd Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 672-8711

4. The Barber’z Lounge

1020 NE 7th Ave #2 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 728-7702

NAS Whidbey Island Post Office

The U.S. post office on base is a quick and convenient place to get everything you need to suit all your mailing needs.

NAS Whidbey Post Office

1080 W Lexington St Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (800) 275-8777

NAS Whidbey Island Finance Office

The smartest sailors make heavy use of the finance office on base. This is where you go to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money. The staff here will help you perform basic tasks like setting up checking out or walk you through more advanced financial processes like investing in retirement accounts or the stock market. Ensure that you’re doing the best you can to pave the way for your future and that of your family.

NAS Whidbey Island Finance Office

3515 N Princeton, Bldg. 2641 Ault Field, Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-1102

NAS Whidbey Island Finance Office Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

  : 0700 to 1600

• Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday

  : Closed

NAS Whidbey Island Legal Office

The legal office at Whidbey Island is here for those rare occasions that you’ve encountered certain challenges that you aren’t able to manage on your own. Fortunately, there’s help available. The lawyers on base are available to assist you in a wealth of different scenarios. They’ll also perform basic legal duties as well, such as notarizing documents. If you need a consultation, make sure to set up an appointment.

NAS Whidbey Island Legal Office

1045 Midway Street, Building 2739 Oak Harbor, WA 98278

Phone

: 1 (360) 257-2126

NAS Whidbey Island Legal Office Hours

• Monday - Thursday

  : 0730 to 1600

• Friday

  : 0730 to 1200

NAS Whidbey Island Library

The Navy General Library Program can assist you in all of your needs at NAS Whidbey Island. They have multiple online resources available to all personnel. For more in-person options and programs, you can head over to the nearby Oak Harbor Public Library.

Oak Harbor Public Library

1000 SE Regatta Dr Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 675-5115

NAS Whidbey Hotels

1. Best Western

33175 WA-20 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 679-4567

2. Auld Holland Inn

33575 WA-20 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 675-2288

3. Candlewood Suites Oak Harbor

33221 WA-20 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone

: 1 (360) 279-2222

4. Captain Whidbey

9702, 2072 W Capt Whidbey Inn Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239

Phone

: 1 (360) 678-4097

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s NAS Whidbey Island Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near NAS Whidbey Island?

Cities Near NAS Whidbey Island

There are plenty of great spots to settle down near base. The surrounding area is composed of coastal lowlands and scattered islands, making for scenic vistas set against the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. There are cities and towns dotting the coast and the islands alike. You can even find a home in one of the several summer communities with seasonal populations if you’re looking for a bit of peace and seclusion for the majority of the year. There are a collection of cities close by ranging from small to large. The largest city in the area is Seattle, a major U.S. metro. Others include Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Port Townsend, and more.

Best Places to Live Near NAS Whidbey Island

Seattle

It’s quite a commute from Seattle, but if your heart is set on city life, there’s no better option. Choose to live in one of America’s major cities and you’ll have the world open to you. Every kind of cuisine, entertainment, housing, and more is at your fingertips here. You’ll just have to mind the hour-and-a-half commute time.

Bellingham

Bellingham is the county seat of Whatcom County, and about a 50-minute drive from base. It’s a good-sized city with a population of around 100,000 people. There’s a lot to see and do here. Bellingham has an urban feel without being too overwhelming to navigate. This is a great place for someone looking for access to a lot of amenities while still staying closer to base than Seattle.

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is another county seat, this time of Skagit County. It’s a city of over 31,000 people, so not quite as big as Bellingham, but with a decent amount of things to keep you entertained. The city hosts an annual tulip festival and is highly rated on lists of the best small cities in the nation. It was founded with the lumber industry in mind like a lot of towns and cities in the area.

La Conner

La Conner is a town for those who like to slow things down. With a population under 1,000 people, there won’t be many interruptions to your quiet days around here. The town center is filled with historic streets and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is host to the Museum of Northwest Art and the landmark Rainbow Bridge. La Conner is under a half-hour drive from NAS Whidbey Island.

Anacortes

Anacortes is another nearby city with a population of close to 16,000. The city has a long lineage, developed by the Oregon Improvement Company and local railroad tycoons, nowadays it has a heavy fishing industry and is known for its popular ferry service. Anacortes is just 20 minutes north of base by car.

Port Townsend

Port Townsend is the county seat of Jefferson County. It’s home to close to 10,000 people. The city’s historic district is a national landmark. This is another city that owes its life to the railroad and the industrial development of the Pacific Northwest. There’s a large arts community here now, yearly boating events, a marine science center, and plenty more. Port Townsend is an hour south of NAS Whidbey by car.

Greenbank

Greenbank is truly the place to go to blend in with the land and disappear while off duty. This unincorporated community has a population of around 250 people. It’s home to historic buildings, boutique shopping, event spaces, marshland, and more. Local vineyards have sprouted up around the area here. Greenbank is just a half-hour drive away from base, too.

Hot Tip: Look for NAS Whidbey Island homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

NAS Whidbey Island Schools

There are two major school districts around NAS Whidbey Island: Anacortes and Coupeville. Each has a number of schools in all grades and both serve children from K-12. On-base childcare is available for parents with busy schedules, as well. There are also plenty of private daycare centers in the area to drop your children off for fun and educational programming.

NAS Whidbey Island Weather

It’s a wet and rainy place in the Pacific Northwest. Winters are long and creep their way into spring. Summers can seem pretty short. But summer is relatively dry, so that’s something. Temperatures in the summer usually reach a comfortable high in the 70s. But winter can get down into the low 30s. There are a lot of raincoats and umbrellas in the future.

NAS Whidbey Island Things to Do

While stationed at Whidbey Island, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of entertainment options. If you’re into boating, you’ll be happy to know that Whidbey Island is, in fact, an island. And there are plenty of islands around it, and miles of coastline and beaches to explore. Hiking is abundant here, too, and the ancient pines beckon to the intrepid adventurer who longs to set foot in their shadow. And with Seattle nearby, you’ll have access to museums, culture, nightlife, and everything else that a population density of a major metro area might provide.

For tons of ideas on how to spend your time around base, check out our guide to things to do around NAS Whidbey Island.

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17 of the Best NAS Whidbey Island Restaurants

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for NAS Whidbey Island at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

NAS Whidbey Island in the northwest corridor is a dream come true for sailors who’ve always wanted to live inside a postcard. The land is gorgeous and the opportunities for family fun and solo outings are endless. There are plenty of cities close by to live or play in, and the several historic communities around base are great places for a weekend getaway. There are countless ways to enjoy life at NAS Whidbey Island, so make the most of your PCS and trek through the Pacific Northwest with your family and friends. Just don’t forget to bring a poncho.  

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