Vashon Island

Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island is an island near Seattle in the Puget Sound region, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. There are no bridges to connect the island with the mainland, a big factor contributing to the island's relative isolation and rural character.

Get in
Vashon Island is accessible by ferry, boat and plane. Ferry terminals are located on the northern and southern ends of the island. There is also a small municipal airport.

By ferry

 * Ferry terminals on both ends of Vashon Island:
 * at Point Vashon on the northern end of the island has ferry service to Southworth, Fauntleroy, and even a foot ferry (King County Water Taxi) that goes directly Downtown Seattle. Vehicle and passenger service is offered to Fauntleroy Terminal in West Seattle and Southworth and passenger only service is offered to downtown Seattle.
 * on the southern end of the island has ferry service to Point Defiance in Tacoma.
 * on the southern end of the island has ferry service to Point Defiance in Tacoma.

By private boat
Vashon Island is extremely convenient when exploring Puget Sound located between major harbors in Tacoma, Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula. However not much guest moorage is available so its best to plan ahead.



By bus
King County Metro, Kitsap Transit and Pierce Transit have buses connecting Vashon Island to Seattle, Tacoma, Port Orchard, and other nearby places. The bus stops are at the ferry terminals where ferries from Vashon Island arrive into their respective counties:

King County Metro From Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Bus stops are at both sides of Fauntleroy Way SW outside of the ferry terminal access road.

Kitsap Transit From Southworth Ferry Terminal

Pierce Transit From Point Defiance Ferry Terminal

Connections to Amtrak, Greyhound, Flixbus, Sound Transit and other long distances buses are in downtown Seattle and the Tacoma Dome

By car
Most people experience the island by car with the Vashon Hwy SW being the main north south travel route through the island, however don't be afraid to get off this road and experience the less traveled side roads, especially roads that offer views of the water.

Vashon Island's street designation is a continuation of King County's street designation system from West Seattle (SW), beginning at 1st Ave S & Yesler in downtown Seattle. The major roads are somewhat in a grid, with north-south roads called Avenues that suffix the directional and east-west roads being Streets that prefix the directional. There are occasional irregularities: Ways are long roads that don't always conform to the grid, Drives are long, circuitous routes, and there are the very short Place or Court that dead ends on one end of the road. Most roads are numbered with a few that are named. The "downtown core" for banking, shopping, eating and for bars on Vashon Island is clustered around the intersection of SW Bank Rd & Vashon Hwy SW (main north-south thoroughfare through the island).

Vashon Island lies approximately between SW 108th St (10800 block) and SW 307th St (30700 block, next to Tahlequah Ferry Terminal) southwest of downtown Seattle (Yesler), which run east and west. The east shores of the island are approximately 8700 block (87th Ave SW) west of 1st Ave S while the west shores of the island are approximately at the 14700 block (147th SW) from 1st Ave S. Vashon Hwy SW goes north and south as a major thoroughfare or main street through the island. Therefore, the house numbers increase from east to west and from north to south.

By bike
Although Vashon is popular with bicyclists, the hills can be intimidating for inexperienced riders and the sometimes tight roads make sharing the road a challenge. The Vashon Highway has ample space for bikers along its shoulder however due to the large amounts of car traffic this might be less desirable for some bikers.

By public transit

 * Bus routes 118 and 119 stop at Vashon Island Ferry Terminal, Valley Center P&R, Tahlequah, Dockton. From Valley Center P&R route 118 continues south to the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal via Burton while route 119 goes down to Dockton on Maury Island. Going north from Valley Center both operate along 99th Ave SW/Vashon Hwy to the Vashon Island Ferry Terminal.
 * Bus routes 118 and 119 stop at Vashon Island Ferry Terminal, Valley Center P&R, Tahlequah, Dockton. From Valley Center P&R route 118 continues south to the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal via Burton while route 119 goes down to Dockton on Maury Island. Going north from Valley Center both operate along 99th Ave SW/Vashon Hwy to the Vashon Island Ferry Terminal.

See
Vashon offers many parks and beaches open to the public

Sea kayaking
Sea kayaking can be a rewarding way to explore the islands miles of coastline allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings and making Vashon one a popular areas to kayak in Puget Sound. Thick forests of majestic pine and deciduous trees and hundreds of creeks and estuaries dot the coastline. 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.

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



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 Vashon Island. 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 offers a guide to parks with launch sites HERE

Buy
The town of Vashon has a large variety of stores that would appeal to the average tourist including many arts and crafts made by locals.

Sleep
A short ferry ride from Seattle or Tacoma, Vashon Island is a popular and easy get away from city life with many popular B&Bs to choose from.

Go next
Seattle is to the east via ferry, Kitsap Peninsula is to the west via ferry and Tacoma is to the south via ferry.