There is a tiny rocky island with very steep slopes in the middle of the bay (Ben Ure Island) that has its history of smuggling the Chinese illegal workers for local labour market. It’s linked with the two sections of the same bridge completed in July 1935. One section of the bridge goes to Whidbey Island and the other one goes to the land through a smaller Fidalgo Island. Right between the two bridges, in the middle of the Ben Ure Island, there’s a monument where we read about the Deception Pass:
A chunk of history about the Deception Pass on Ben Ure Island, between the two sections of the bridge.
Named by captain George Vancouver 10 June 1792. Feeling that he had been deceived as to the nature of the inner waterway. Port Gardner (now Saratoga Passage) he wrote on his chart “Deception Pass”. He honored master Joseph Whidbey who found the passage while commanding a small boat of explorers by naming the island Whidbey.
Ben Ure Island in front, with the view towards Dead Man’s Bay, Deception Pass, Wa.
Right under the bridge, the waters and currents are so changeable that the brave kayakers wait for them to change and exercise different rapid conditions. Low tides bring swift currents can lead to standing waves, large whirlpools, and roiling eddies.The whole seascape here is unimaginable. Water in between tiny passages and open ocean, sharp edges of small islands covered with blooming flowers and forest vegetation and colours of green, beige, yellow and blue (good weather permitted) contribute to absolutely breathtaking and stunning scenery.
Southern section of the bridge leading to Whidbey Island.
There’s a small parking lot on Whidbey Island side with tourist info outlet and right behind it there’s a short trespass leading to the beach covered with driftwood logs of many shapes and sizes. An ideal place for a picnic and a great spot to admire the bridge and its architecture from underneath.
Southern section of the bridge as viewed from the beach, 5 minutes’ walk from the parking lot above.
Deception Pass is located on the Deception Pass state park that’s visited by 2 million tourists a year and is a top destination park in the Washington State. From here there’s a close drive to the biggest city on Whidbey Island, Oak Harbour. For those who venture southward, there’s a very nice surprise – the Whidbey Island itself is just one of those cutest islands where everything seems to by right at hand.
Sharp and steep slopes of Fidalgo Island on northern side of the Deception Pass.
No wonder, the first impression of seeing Deception Pass and its beautiful surroundings has its influence on the way visitors perceive the rest of the island. For those who travel farther away to take Keystone – Port Townsend ferry ride towards the Olympic Peninsula, Deception Pass is the fastest way to get there from Vancouver and a beautiful spot to enjoy and never be missed.
Cosy beach with driftwood logs as viewed from the bridge.
