Kitsap Peninsula

The Kitsap Peninsula is in Washington State in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. It lies in Puget Sound between the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and it is almost an island connected to the mainland by only a relatively small landmass near Belfair.



Cities
Old growth forests made travel by land nearly impossible for early settlers so towns grew around harbors on Puget Sound to take advantage of the relatively easy water transportation. Although roads have since come to dominate the area many towns still spread out from their harbors and downtown areas are usually close to the water.

North Kitsap
Historic northern area includes the oldest lighthouse on Puget Sound.
 * — beautiful beaches and a wonderful lighthouse.
 * -- 30-minute ferry ride from Edmonds.
 * — historic lumber mill town established in 1853 and still company-owned.
 * — known as "Little Norway", a popular destination for boaters.
 * — home of the Suquamish people and burial site of Chief Seattle.

Central Kitsap
The most urban and populated areas of the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * — the Kitsap Peninsula's largest town built around a military base.
 * -- a secluded and snug harbor.
 * — a small residential area along the west side of Dyes Inlet with beautiful water views and views of Mt. Rainier to the South.
 * — where you'll find the wonderful Elandan Gardens.
 * has views of Hood Canal, the Olympic Mountains and sunsets. With an average of $$ of rain a year, it is the greenest corner of the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * — quaint waterfront community, mostly residential
 * — home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.
 * — known for its public boat launch and commanding views of Seattle across Puget Sound.
 * — county seat for Kitsap County also a popular harbor with a convenient downtown.
 * — shopping center for the Kitsap Peninsula
 * — on Dyes Inlet with amazing views of Puget Sound.

South Kitsap
The most rural area of the Kitsap Peninsula and home to many state parks.
 * — overlooking the shoreline of North Bay-Case Inlet on Puget Sound.
 * — gateway to many wilderness areas including the Theler Wetlands.
 * — the name was adopted for the creek that runs past town at Burley Lagoon.
 * — this mostly residential the Hood Canal community's name comes from an Indian word meaning "home of evil spirits who make men crazy."
 * — southern gateway to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.
 * — picturesque rural community with many old barns, forests and rolling hills.
 * — home of the Purdy Spit with a mile-long beach access.
 * — a historic mill community still has few traces remaining of its early logging years.
 * — ferry terminal for the SeattleVashon Island state ferry run.
 * — tiny, southern-most town on the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * — at the bend of Hood Canal, with spectacular views

Key Peninsula
This remote southern region south of Purdy is a sub peninsula of the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * — this quiet seaside community was once one of the more radical and socially progressive areas in the state.
 * — this small town is the largest on the Key Peninsula.
 * — one of the last mosquito fleet era docks still in operation.
 * — home to the southern-most marina on the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * — once served by the mosquito fleet, this area is home to the Key Peninsula Museum.

Islands
Several islands are accessible from bridges or ferries from the Kitsap Peninsula and are included in this entry.
 * — a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle this Island of 20,000 residents is a good place to visit and/or live
 * — Manchester is the closest boat launch to this popular island state park between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * Eagle Island — off of the Key Peninsula more info in State Parks Section.
 * — a 5.2-square-mile island with a lighthouse.

Understand
Just a short ferry ride from Seattle or a picturesque drive across the Tacoma Narrows or Hood Canal bridges, the Kitsap Peninsula offers a nice mix of rural and urban activities. Quaint harbor towns offer shopping, dining and regional cultural experiences while rural Kitsap Peninsula offers a wide variety of parks, beaches, golf courses and endless rural charm. With its nearly 400 miles of coastline and dozens of public marinas and boat launches the Kitsap Peninsula is a popular place to arrive and explore by boat and many harbor towns cater to boaters. For clarity we will also include Bainbridge, Blake and other nearby islands in this entry.

The region has a rich and diverse history. Giving a combination of Native American, Scandinavian, military and pioneer attractions. The Kitsap Peninsula is "almost" an island, accessible primarily by ferries or bridges with highway access from the south.

Kitsap County is the governmental body covering the majority of the Peninsula, with Pierce County lying in the SE portion of the Peninsula, and Mason County lying in the SW portion of the Peninsula. Mason County extends west beyond the Kitsap Peninsula into the Olympic Peninsula region.

Talk
Although English is the most common language spoken in the region, there is an incredible variety of languages used in the area.

The Suquamish people called Puget Sound 'WulcH, which simply means “place of clear salt water” in the Southern Lushootseed language that was originally spoken in the area. Many of the names in the area come from the Southern Lushootseed language including 'Kitsap' which was named after their chief and even 'Seattle' which was named after chief Seattle.

By boat
With its nearly 400 miles of coastline, boating is a major tourist draw on the Kitsap Peninsula and many businesses cater specifically to boaters. Some restaurants and shops provide their own docks for easy access and some golf courses offer shuttles from major marinas. Check individual city listings for specific marina information. Larger marinas can be found in Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Brownsville, Gig Harbor, Poulsbo and Port Orchard but even some smaller towns such as Lakebay offer marinas with services and fuel and even some of the state parks such as Blake Island offer docks with restrooms and picnic shelters.



By plane


Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, universally nicknamed "Sea-Tac", is to the east across Puget Sound. Domestically it's a major hub for Northwest and West Coast destinations, and internationally handles especially frequent trans-Pacific routes, as well as direct flights to the major European airports.

All international flights arrive at the south satellite terminal, but after immigration and customs, passengers are then funneled onto a train back to the main terminal, outside the security checkpoint. You'll need to pick up any checked bags to clear customs, then place them right back on the conveyor for transit to the main terminal. Reclaim checked bags once again from carousel 1 in the main baggage hall, to the right after leaving the train and going upstairs. Allow plenty of time for this dance! All connecting passengers will need to re-check their baggage with their airline and pass through security.

By sea plane

 * Sea planes are another popular way to travel around Puget Sound with several airlines based in Seattle with chartered flights to the Kitsap area including Kenmore Air serving areas all around Puget Sound and Canada.

By car
The impressive Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the south or Hood Canal bridges to the north are the two main road access points into Kitsap. The Tacoma Narrows is a toll bridge but only for eastbound traffic leaving the area.


 * US Hwy 101 completely bypasses the Kitsap Peninsula west of the Hood Canal. From Hwy 101 the Kitsap Peninsula can be accessed from:
 * US Hwy 101 completely bypasses the Kitsap Peninsula west of the Hood Canal. From Hwy 101 the Kitsap Peninsula can be accessed from:


 * Hwy 3/104 turn-off 3 mi/4.8 km south of Discovery Bay (where US 101 intersects WA-Hwy 20). Hwy 3/104 crosses the floating Hood Canal Bridge into Key Peninsula.
 * Hwy 3 turn-off from south of Shelton which goes through Shelton while Hwy 101 by-passes Shelton.

Get around


Just a short journey by Washington State ferry, Tacoma Narrows or Hood Canal bridges, and surrounded by nearly 371 miles of shoreline and dozens of marinas the Kitsap Peninsula is an excellent place to travel by car, boat or bike.

By bike
The Kitsap Peninsula is a great destination for bicycles with its rolling hills and spectacular scenery. During the summer you'll find bike rentals near the ferry dock on Bainbridge Island but be forewarned that it may be some distance between pit stops so plan accordingly.

See
The Kitsap Peninsula is known not only for its busy sea ports and picturesque towns but also for its rolling hills, thick forests, miles of coastline, scenic farmlands and many public parks.

Lighthouses
Lighthouse viewing on the Kitsap Peninsula is an excellent way to explore the area, while some lighthouses are accessible to the public others such as the Point No Point Lighthouse offer tours and can even be stayed at overnight.

Fox Island Lighthouse is the southern most lighthouse in the area, on Fox Island near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Gig Harbor Lighthouse, which, at only tall, is one of the smaller lighthouses in the region but nonetheless plays an important roll marking the opening to Gig Harbor.

The Point No Point Lighthouse, built in 1879 at Hansville, is the oldest and most historically important lighthouse on Kitsap Peninsula. The Skunk Bay Lighthouse is on Skunk Bay at the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula near Hansville.

Museums
Museums offer visitors a welcome change of pace and an opportunity to learn more about the Kitsap Peninsula's maritime history.

The Harbor History Museum in Gig Harbor explores the history of the Gig Harbor Peninsula, its maritime industries, and a well preserved school house.

The Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport shows what life is like under the sea.

In Bremerton, the Puget Sound Navy Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the naval heritage of the Pacific Northwest from 1840 to the present and has more than 18,000 objects in its collection; and the Kitsap Historical Society and Museum exhibits the diverse culture, heritage and history of Kitsap County. The USS Turner Joy on the Bremerton Boardwalk is a Vietnam-era destroyer you can tour to see how life would have been for the 17 officers and 275 enlisted men it took to run the ship.

Of Sea and Shore Museum in Port Gamble is dedicated to the study of natural history, especially mollusks and other invertebrates and includes one of the largest sea shell collections in the world.

At the Suquamish Museum in Suquamish, you can learn more about the first people of the Kitsap Peninsula, their wooden canoes and their traditions.

Bridges
Two bridges connect the Kitsap Peninsula to the mainland: the Hood Canal Floating Bridge which is the third-longest floating bridge (the longest over tidewater), and the Tacoma Narrows Bridges, majestic side by side bridges.

Historic military areas
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton was established in 1891 as a Naval Station. During World War I, the Navy Yard constructed ships, submarines, and 1,700 small boats. During World War II, the shipyard's primary effort was the repair of battle damage to ships of the U.S. fleet and those of its allies. During the Korean War, the shipyard was engaged in the activation of ships. In the late 1950s, it entered an era of new construction with the building of a new class of guided missile frigates. The shipyard is a National Historic Landmark. The historic district includes 22 contributing buildings, and 42 contributing structures.

Parks
The Kitsap Peninsula's 14 state parks are the coveted jewels of the area. Offering miles of public access beaches and forested trails, many also offer camping and moorage opportunities and are well distributed throughout the area. These parks are described in the articles for towns and villages listed above.

There are many county parks are outside of urban areas and many provide camping, biking, hiking, horse trails, fishing and access to lakes or Puget Sound.



State forests
Thete are two State Forests: Green Mountain State Forest, a few miles west of Bremerton, offers horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and other uses; and Tahuya State Forest on the southeastern portion of the Hood Canal west of Belfair in Mason County, offers off-road vehicle riding (ORV), horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and camping.

Nature reserves
The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is a garden that is so popular that reservations are required.

Birdwatching
The Kitsap Audubon Society has been actively meeting since 1972 and has a broad coalition of birders actively tracking and sharing sightings since then. They also maintain an active website with updates of the latest sightings, suggestions on areas for birders and even a regular newsletter. They also developed a checklist of birds likely to be seen birds in the area.

The state Audubon society developed 'The Great Audubon Birding Trail' which includes key migration flyways. Flyways are major north-south routes of travel for migratory birds and likely areas to see birds along the route extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Point No Point County Park near Hansville at Kitsap County's northern tip is particularly important for birds migrating the Pacific Flyway. The Audubon Society designated it an IBA or an Important Bird Area but there are six other areas along the trail that are also important. Penrose Point State Park near Lakebay, the Sinclair Inlet north of Port Orchard, Lions Park in Bremerton, the Old Mill Park in Silverdale, Liberty Bay near Poulsbo and Fort Ward Park on Bainbridge Island.



Boating
Puget Sound offers some of the best Cruising on small craft in North America. Breath taking views of the snow capped Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges along with glimpses of Mount Rainier mingle with thick forests and clear bays and streams to create a humbling cacophony of natural sights.

Carved by ancient glaciers, Puget Sounds intricate and complex waterways provide endless opportunities for exploration while the many harbor towns built on protective bays cater to boaters and provide a wide array of services, restaurants and shops.

For visitors, the Kitsap Peninsula is uniquely situated amongst Puget Sound with its convenient proximity to Seatac airport and major urban centers, it nonetheless offers a rural boating experience with many state and county parks located right on the water and miles of forests reaching into the Puget Sound. The well distributed harbor communities on the Kitsap Peninsula were mostly built before roads and tend to be centered around the docks offering boaters easy access to amenities and historic retail areas, even small towns tend to have a country store with access to a dock.

Major ports can be found in Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Brownsville, Gig Harbor, Kingston, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Silverdale while dozens of other communities have smaller areas to rest and resupply and many State Parks offer secluded moorage closer to nature. See individual city listings for more info.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has the largest state-managed mooring system in the United States. The commission manages more than 40 marine parks in Puget Sound including several in Kitsap that together provide more than 8,500 feet of public moorage space.

Sailing
The Puget Sound is a destination celebrated by sailors from around the world and the Kitsap Peninsula is a prime example of why it is so popular. The scenery around Puget Sound can be so amazing that it borders on the surreal and could only possibly be appreciated more from the deck of a boat under sail. From isolated moorages in such places as Blake Island State Park to historic harbor towns with fine restaurants, museums and shopping all accessible from convenient harbors.

Visitors to the area will often be treated to the sight of a flotilla of sailboats on Puget Sound as local yacht clubs organize events that sometimes attract hundreds of sailors. These ‘races’ such as the Gig Harbor Yacht Club Islands Race are often informal events that are more of an opportunity for fraternization and attract many types of sailboats and many different skill levels of sailors.

Sea kayaking
Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the Kitsap Peninsulas nearly 400 miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Kitsap one of the most popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. Or just explore Kitsaps many harbor towns that cater to kayakers with shops and restaurants accessible from the water. Harbor Seals, Otters, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Blue Herons are common sites while the occasional viewing of an Orca or Grey Whale is not out of the question.

Organized kayak trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate lengths and scenic travel destinations.



There are several companies around the Kitsap Peninsula that rent kayaks and offer classes from beginner to expert, including Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo and Port Gamble.

Beachcombing
What Puget Sound beaches lack in white sand and warm water is more than made up for in the amazing scenery as the clear waters play against wild coastlines and snow peaked mountains scatter on the horizons. Kitsaps many State Parks are an excellent place to start a beach combing adventure offering miles of beaches from the rugged to the sandy smooth. Small crabs, moon snails, sea stars and sand dollars are common sites and tide pools can offer hours of exploration.

Sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed, however the often rocky and wild shores are havens for creating and revealing beach glass and anything artificial found is fair game for removal. Be respectful of private property and gentle with sea creatures. Keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.

Crabbing
Sport crab fishing is popular in the area with most fishermen looking for the elusive and meaty Dungeness Crab, but other less popular crabs are plentiful in the area. Crab season starts with a two-day opener July 1st and 2nd and follows up with crabbing every Thursday through Monday through Labor Day weekend. A wide array of crab traps are available from a variety of area sporting goods stores and the red and white buoys marking the traps are a common site on the water during the short crabbing season. Fishing permits are required and can be purchased from a variety of local stores, more information is available from the Washington Dept of Fishing and wildlife

Shellfishing
Shellfish are prized resources of the Puget Sound, the cool, clean waters provide some of the finest shellfish habitat in the world. Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of farmed bivalve shellfish (clams, geoduck, mussels and oysters) and with Kitsap Peninisulas dozens of Public Clam and Oyster Beaches and miles of coastline it is a popular place for individuals to find these elusive and sought after shellfish. Maps of public shellfishing areas and health warnings and updates can be found online at the States Fish and Wildlife website, as with all fishing in Puget Sound permits are required and can be purchased online or in some sporting goods stores.

Scuba diving


Scuba diving the cold waters of Puget Sound takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many areas are accessible from the Kitsap Peninsula. Many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description. Giant Pacific Octopus are common, along with friendly wolf eels. Colorful sponges, sea cucumbers, sea stars, soft corals, anemones and fish can be seen on nearly every dive. The state has offers a guide to parks with launch sites here. Sound Dive Center in Bremerton offers diving gear and classes.

Conservation areas
There are many spectacular dive areas around Kitsap Peninsula ranging from wreck diving a wooden hull ship near Bainbridge Island known simply as The Boss to artificial reefs that were created with scuba divers in mind. In addition there are four Designated Conservation Areas which are easily accessed from various ports around the Peninsula.

The Colvos Passage Marine Preserve Area near Gig Harbor is a protected marine area and is considered one of the best shore accessible diving areas in Puget Sound. Known for its many friendly Wolf Eels and its 25-foot-high rugged rock wall that runs along the shoreline for about 200 feet. There are also sightings of, for example, Giant Pacific Octopus, Ratfish, Copper, Brown, and Quillback Rockfish, Lingcod,  Greenlings, many varieties of sculpins, Green Sea Urchins, scallops, Rock Sole, Starry Flounder, countless sea stars, warbonnets, gunnels, different varieties of nudibranchs.

Orchard Rocks Conservation Area is northeast of Manchester State Park in the waters and bedlands of Rich Passage within a 400-yard radius of Orchard Rocks day marker and accessible by boat. The natural bedrock and boulders provide habitats for rock associated fish and invertebrate species. Copper rockfish and quillback rockfish once were common at this site but now are rare. Brown rockfish are common as are lingcod, red Irish lord, buffalo sculpin, striped seaperch, and pile perch. Kelp greenling, painted greenling, cabezon are consistently present in the reserve. Dominant invertebrates include red rock crab, spider crabs, red sea cucumber, and orange sea cucumber. Harbor seals frequently visit the site and are often seen hauled out on the exposed rocks at low tide. California sea lions are also commonly observed at the site and may be seen hauled out on nearby navigational buoys.

Well-known to regional scuba divers, Sund Rock is a designated conservation area between Kitsap Peninsula and the Olympic Peninsula on Hood Canal accessible by boat from Seabeck. The area is known for abundant and diverse life, including Lingcod, Giant Pacific Octopus, Wolf Eel, nudibranch, anemone, and sea cucumber.

Z's Reef Marine Preserve is a designated conservation area on the shores of Fox Island. A variety of fishes typically associated with rocky habitats congregate at the site and in such quantities that are unusual for southern Puget Sound. The dominant fishes include copper rockfish, brown rockfish, and quillback rockfish. Other common fishes include lingcod, kelp greenling, painted greenling, wolf eel, and striped seaperch. Pregnant rockfishes are observed at the site during the spring indicating that at least some fishes use the site for reproduction. Other marine organisms include sea stars, encrusting organisms such as giant barnacles, red sea cucumbers, shrimp, and red rock crabs. Seastars are common including sunflower seastar and gumboot chitons are also frequently observed.

Golf
The Kitsap Peninsula has several of the top rated golf courses in the state. Combined with the areas natural beauty golfing in Kitsap leaves a lasting impression. If you are arriving by boat several of courses offer transportation from popular marinas.

Casinos
The Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish and The Point Casino in Kingston have restaurants and bars.

Car racing
The Bremerton Raceway hosts NHRA Division 6 Championship drag racing.

Eat
Like the rest of the Puget Sound area Seafood is a specialty so look for seasonal specials and locally sourced ingredients. Dungeness crabs, clams, oysters, mussels and salmon can all be found in abundance but look also for fresh produce from local farms. Blackberry season towards the end of summer usually means these tasty local berries will find their way into local dessert menus. See city listings for particular food recommendations.

Farms and farmers markets
With its abundance of farm land, the Kitsap Peninsula offers a wide variety of fresh produce and roadside vegetable and fruit stands. Some farms have their own stores and offer locally grown foods and goods. Many villages have farmers' markets that are open ne day a week from May to September, while sone start as early as April and continue into October. Check the village articles for details. Christmas tree farms are also seasonally popular and offer families the opportunity to select their own trees.

Drink
Like the rest of the Puget Sound region, people on Kitsap Peninsula take their coffee seriously. See city listings for particular coffee and bar recommendations and don't forget to check out some of the regions award winning breweries, distilleries and wineries that make for a great stop over when exploring the area.

Try locally brewed beers from Der Blokken and Silver City Brewery (Bremerton), Hood Canal Brewery (Kingston), and Slaughter County Brewing Company (Port Orchard).

Craft distilleries in the region include Heritage Distilling Company in Gig Harbor and Bainbridge Organic Distillers on Bainbridge Isle.

The Kitsap Peninsula has several wineries that offer a nice change of pace when exploring the region. Bainbridge Island Wineries Group has seven members wineries on the island. Olalla Valley Vineyard & Winery in Olalla and Trillium Creek Winery in Lakebay have tasting rooms open to the public.

Sleep
The Kitsap Peninsula offers a wide variety of places to spend the night, from cozy bed and breakfasts to isolated waterfront campgrounds. More urban areas such as Gig Harbor boast a wider variety of places to stay but travelers in the know can search out more off the beaten path options like staying at the historic lighthouse in Hansville.

Animal safety
Though many of the animals in the Kitsap area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other wild animals! Check trail head postings at parks for recent activity and be aware of rules keeping a distance from Orca Whales and other marine animals while boating. Regulations for killer whales require that boaters stay 200 yards away & keep the path of the whales clear. These new U.S. regulations apply to all vessels (with some exceptions) in inland waters of Washington.

Don't disturb resting seal pups, keep children and dogs away and report to the local stranding hotline +1 253-589-7235. Seal pups 'haul out' to get much needed rest when they are young and are often alone for many hours. They are extremely vulnerable at this time and should be left alone. Only about 50% of Puget Sound seal pups make it through their first year so please help to protect their health.

10 essentials
Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, because cell phones won't always work in many rural areas, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation. 1.     Navigation 2.     Hydration & Nutrition 3.     Pocket Knife 4.     Sun Protection 5.     Insulation 6.     Fire! 7.     Lighting 8.     First Aid 9.     Shelter 10.    Whistle

Petty crime
With so many people visiting Kitsap each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when parking your car at a trail head or marina when you may be away from your car for a while. It would also be advisable to carry anything of value out of sight.

Go next

 * Olympic Peninsula - lies to the west via the Hood Canal Bridge.
 * Seattle,Vashon Island and King County - lie to the east via the Washington State Ferries from Southworth.
 * Tacoma - lies to the south across the Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge.