Harstine Island

Harstine Island is in Puget Sound region of Washington State. Harstine Island (also known simply as Harstine or Harstene) is an island in Mason County, Washington, United States. The US Census recognizes it as an unincorporated community. The island is located west of Case Inlet in southern Puget Sound, 16 km (9.9 mi) north of Olympia. It has a land area of 48.305 km² (18.651 sq mi), and had a population of 1,002 as of the 2000 census.

Pickering Passage, to the northwest, separates the island from mainland, while Case Inlet, to the east, separates it from Key Peninsula. Squaxin Island lies to the southwest, separated by Peale Passage. To the south, Harstine Island is separated from the mainland by Dana Passage. It is connected to the mainland via a bridge near the southern end of the Kitsap Peninsula.

History
U.S. Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes (1798–1877) explored much of the west coast including Puget Sound. The island was named by Lt. Wilkes for Lt. Henry J. Hartstene.

Spelling
For most of the island's history, there wasn't a single standard spelling of its name. Even today, several different spellings are used.

Of the several possible ways to spell the name of the island, Hartstene and Harstine are the most used and most popular. Both have been used nearly interchangeably in many published references. Alternative spellings of the name include Hartstene, Harsteen, Harstein, Harstene, Hartstein and Harstine. In 1997 Washington State Legislative action resulted the island being named "Harstine Island".

By car
From 1922 to 1969, a ferry owned and operated by Mason County, Washington crossed Pickering Passage to link Harstine Island to the mainland. The ferry was replaced by a bridge in 1969

By boat
Jarrell Cove State Park offers buoys and dock space for visiting boaters.

By car
North Island Drive, South Island Drive and E Harstine Island Road form a hilly and twisted loop around the island which is popular not only with drivers but cyclists.

By boat
There are many areas to explore on the island including Jarrell Cove State Park and nearby McMicken Island State Park. Latimer’s Landing is a Mason County Park featuring a boat launch and dock that provides easy access to Pickering Passage, Puget Sound and beyond.

Eat and drink
There are no areas zoned for restaurants on the island. However, just off the island nearby on Pickering Rd, there is Spencer Lake Bar and Grill and Olympic Bakery and Deli. Olympic Bakery serves coffee and is occasionally open to wine tasting.