Washington Islands Cider Tour
Exploring Washington’s islands is a one-of-a-kind way to experience the state’s cider culture. From Orcas to Vashon, Bainbridge, and beyond, each island offers a mix of scenic coastline, forested landscapes, and charming small towns. Some stops are just a short drive from the mainland, while others begin with a ferry ride across the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, an adventure in itself.
Once you’ve arrived, cider lovers will find tasting rooms that highlight the flavors of the region, often crafted from fruit grown just down the road. But an island cider trip is about more than what’s in the glass. It’s a chance to wander picturesque towns, take in waterfront views, and sink into the slower rhythm of island life. Whether you’re planning a day trip to a single cidery or stringing together a multi-day journey, each stop invites you to sip, explore, and celebrate the Northwest’s orchard-to-glass tradition. Along the way, beaches, hiking trails, art galleries, and small-town cafes make island hopping an unforgettable Pacific Northwest experience.
Vashon Island Cideries
Start your island adventure on Vashon, just a short ferry ride from Seattle, where Dragon’s Head Cider offers two distinct experiences.The orchard, just a mile west of town, is surrounded by apple trees and the production facility, perfect for sipping flights on the patio with small bites. Uptown, the year-round tasting room sits in the heart of Vashon Village, near shops, galleries, and restaurants, where guests can enjoy shareable snacks or full meals indoors or on the private patio. Kids and dogs are welcome at the Orchard location during seasonal hours making it a family-friendly and pet-friendly stop.
Vashon Island itself provides endless opportunities to explore. Wander forest trails, paddle on the waterfront, or hunt for whimsical Thomas Dambo sculptures. Local food, farm stands, beaches, and the thriving arts scene make it ideal for a day trip or multi-day visit.
✓ Orchard Location: Open May through October, no food is available on-site but guests can bring food from nearby
✓ Uptown Tasting Room: Open Year-Round, small bites and full meals available
✓ Kids are welcome at Orchard location only
✓ Dogs are welcome at Orchard location only
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @dragonsheadcider
Facebook: Dragon’s Head Cider
Next Stop: ~2 min drive to Nashi Orchards
Just a few minutes north, Nashi Orchards brings elegance and tradition together in every glass. Founded by Jim Gerlach and Cheryl Lubbert, this family-run cidery crafts small-batch ciders and perries using Asian and European pears, heirloom apples, and time-honored fermentation techniques. The orchard’s story began in 2005 on 27 acres of heritage pear trees, where the couple transformed an aging grove into a thriving, award-winning orchard that now produces some of Washington’s most distinctive ciders.
The tasting room is set amid Vashon’s quiet countryside, with indoor and outdoor seating surrounded by orchard views. Guests can sample both alcoholic and non-alcoholic perries, all made with 100% fruit juice and no added sugar, alongside light snacks. The relaxed, welcoming space is family- and dog-friendly, making it a lovely stop for groups of all ages before heading north on your island journey.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Small bites available on site
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @nashi_orchards
Facebook: Nashi Orchards
Next Stop: ~1 hr 20 min drive to Sisters Cider House on Bainbridge Island
Cider Seeker Pro Tip
Island Cider Festivals
Plan your visit to Vashon during the first weekend of October, when the island hosts its annual Vashon Island Cider Fest. It’s a chance to explore the island during peak harvest season and taste ciders from producers across Washington State—all in one festive, community-driven event.
Bainbridge Island Cideries
After exploring Vashon’s laid-back charm, make your way north to Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride from Seattle or a scenic drive from the Tacoma area. Here, small-town creativity meets a vibrant cider community, perfectly embodied by Sisters Cider House. Their tasting room is playful and welcoming, featuring two skeeball machines, a retro Nintendo Entertainment System, and a wall of board games. Guests are encouraged to linger, sip cider, and enjoy the whimsical, lighthearted atmosphere.
The cidery uses the freshest local ingredients to craft approachable and balanced ciders that reflect Bainbridge Island’s creative spirit. The island provides a charming backdrop for a cider visit, with opportunities to explore Winslow, hike in the Grand Forest, visit the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, or see local art installations like Pia the Peacekeeper, a Thomas Dambo’s troll.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Service dogs only
✓ No food on-site but guests can bring in food from nearby
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @sistersciderhouse
Facebook: Sisters Cider House
Next Stop: ~2 hr drive to Misfit Island Cider Company on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island Cideries
As you continue north to Whidbey Island, you’ll arrive in downtown Langley, home to Misfit Island Cider Company, a cidery that brings a playful and unconventional twist to the Washington cider scene. Their tasting room in downtown Langley provides a relaxed space to sample a selection of dry, small-batch ciders that highlight the versatility of local apples. Guests can taste cider flights indoors or unwind on the patio, soaking in the charm of this small-town setting while listening to smooth reggae or electronic music and enjoying the lively energy of the community.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ No food on-site but guests can bring in food from nearby
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @misfit_island_cider
Facebook: Misfit Island Cider Company
Next Stop: ~15 min drive to Greenbank Cidery
A short drive from Langley brings you to Greenbank Cidery, where the flavors of Whidbey Island’s orchards shine. Set in the farmland of Whidbey Island, only minutes from the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, Greenbank showcases the flavors of heirloom apples grown under the island’s sun. Guests can enjoy tasting flights or full pours in a welcoming space, pairing the flavors of the cider with light bites or a full meal. Inspired by nostalgic family recipes and a deep passion for culinary tastes, unique small-batch ciders like Rhuby Tuesday, a strawberry-rhubarb cider with a natural almond flavor and lemon zest, can be savored in a relaxed tasting room atmosphere.
The surrounding landscape is rich with beaches, trails, and local festivals, offering visitors plenty to explore. With a commitment to supporting local farmers and using locally sourced ingredients, Greenbank Cidery provides an authentic taste of Whidbey Island’s apple-growing tradition.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food is available on-site
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @GreenbankCidery
Facebook: Greenbank Cidery
Next Stop: ~2 hour 20 minute drive and ferry ride to Orcas Isle Cider on Orcas Island
Where to Stay
Whidbey Island offers charming lodging to enjoy the full island experience. The Inn at Langley provides central accommodations, while a variety of vacation homes are scattered across the island for extended stays. Staying locally allows visitors to explore the natural beauty and small-town charm that make Whidbey Island so special.
Orcas Island Cideries
After exploring Whidbey Island, take a scenic drive and ferry north to Orcas Island, where Orcas Isle Cider invites cider lovers to step off the beaten path and into the peaceful rhythm of island life. This family-run farm grows ten acres of cider-specific apples and perry-specific pears using low-intervention methods, crafting traditional and wild-fermented ciders that highlight the natural flavors of the fruit.
The tasting room, known as The Beaver Den, offers a one-of-a-kind experience. From the patio, you can watch a real beaver lodge while enjoying flights, 8oz pours, or taking a bottle home. Inside, the space celebrates its resident critters with playful beaver carvings and First Nation-inspired artwork. It’s a stop that blends island charm, hands-on farming, and a bit of whimsy—a refreshing pause on any Washington island cider tour.
Summer weekends are the perfect time to visit, with tasting room hours on Saturdays and Sundays allowing guests to wander the orchards, take in the views, and savor the quiet beauty of Orcas Island.
✓ Open June-Sept (closed Oct-May)
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ No food is available on-site but guests can bring food from nearby
✓ Tours available by appointment
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @orcasislecider
Facebook: Orcas Isle Cider
Next Stop: Next Stop: 1 hour drive and ferry ride to Orcas Isle Cider on Orcas Island
San Juan Island Cideries
End your island journey with a visit to Madrone Cellars & Cider in Friday Harbor. Owners Shauna and Shaun Salamida craft both wine and cider that captures the island’s rhythm in every bottle. Made from locally grown and foraged fruit, Madrone’s small-batch ciders are a reflection of wild landscapes, cool maritime air, and careful fermentation.
Visitors can experience Madrone in two ways: reserve a private tour and tasting at the orchard and winery for an intimate behind-the-scenes look, or stop by the lively Madrone Bar + Kitchen just two blocks from the Friday Harbor ferry. There, you’ll find locally crafted wines and ciders by the glass, bottle, or 4-pack, alongside rotating beers, house cocktails, and a thoughtful menu of local fare.
After enjoying a flight or a glass in their sunny courtyard, explore the island’s creative side by visiting San Juan Islands Museum of Art, browsing local shops and galleries, or taking a seaside walk along the marina. With regular events, happy hour specials, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, Madrone the perfect finale to a Washington islands cider adventure.
✓ Open Year-Round
✓ Kids are welcome
✓ Dogs are welcome
✓ Food is available on-site
✓ Tours available by reservation at Madrone Cellars location
✓ Tasting Flights
✓ Cider To-Go
Follow along:
Instagram: @madronecellars_cider
Facebook: Madrone Cellars & Cider
