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Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation

Maritime Heritage and Sail Tours on Whidbey Island



 Photo by Gary Mathieson                         

Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation (WIMHF) was established to preserve the maritime heritage of Coupeville, Penn Cove and Whidbey Island through education and public awareness.

The WIMHF proudly owns and operates the schooner Suva whose carefully trained volunteer docents and crew members operate the vessel in accordance with Coast Guard requirements for inspected small passenger vessels. Whidbey Island enjoys a rich maritime history with stories dating back to the late 1700’s. Our mission is to gather and share them while creating new ones for the future.

To learn more about joining the WIMHF, please visit our Membership page. If you would like to make a donation to help the Foundation achieve these goals, please visit our Donation page.

THE "NAUTICAL NORTHWEST" CHARITABLE LICENSE PLATE


In 2024, WIMHF, in partnership with Historic Whidbey, started a petition to add a custom charitable license plate to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) selection. Senate Bill 5444 was signed by the Governor in 2025, and these plates will be available from the DOL website later in 2026.  

Proceeds from the program will be shared equally between WIMHF and Historic Whidbey, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. These funds will support public heritage programming on board the s/v Suva and at the 1866 Haller House in Coupeville. You can learn more at www.historicwhidbey.org  


Schooner Suva to participate in the Coupeville Memorial Day Parade

  • We will meet at 10:30 AM Sat, May 23 on Wilkes St between 2nd & 3rd, to represent Suva in the annual parade starting at 11:00 in historic downtown Coupeville. Come join the fun and festivities as we honor our veterans and celebrate American's 250th anniversary.

UPCOMing Crew Training 

Last training session on board Schooner Suva, 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Coupeville Wharf for all crew members on May 18, 26 (Tue) and 27.

SUVA LISTED AS A HISTORIC PLACE

Check out the Nomination of Schooner Suva to the National Register of Historic Places. 

It offers a fascinating documentation of the vessel, including its history, period of significance, detailed technical specifications and the colorful personalities associated with the schooner. 



  • 05/20/2026 5:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    "Schooner of dreams: 101-year-old ship sails the Salish Sea" SUVA was featured in the Whidbey News-Times on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Check out the news article at  

    https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/2026/05/19/schooner-of-dreams-101-year-old-ship-sails-the-salish-sea/

  • 01/19/2026 2:05 PM | Chris Bradley (Administrator)

    WIMHF is a proud member of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association.  Check it out....


Our Mission: To create awareness of the Maritime Heritage of Whidbey Island, Coupeville, and Penn Cove  through education of, promoting, and preserving its maritime traditions. 




Copyright 2021

WIMHF

PO Box 532

Coupeville, WA  98239




Whidbey Island  Maritime Heritage Foundation (WIMHF)  is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.


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