Overview
Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island is an island near Seattle, the largest island in the 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.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Vashon Island
Bike in a Tree
A bike swallowed up in a tree. This is the actual bike in a tree woven into the story "Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed.
Robinson Point Park and Lighthouse
A 10-acre shoreline park with a lighthouse. There are a few hiking trails and picnic tables. The keeper's quarters of the lighthouse have been restored and are available for weekly rental.
Island Center Forest
Ten miles of multi-use trails lead visitors through 440 acres of consisting of forested stands, meadows, the Mukai Pond and the Meadowlake wetlands which form the headwaters of Judd Creek. Island Center Forest is habitat…
Blake Island State Park
Vashon Island is a popular launching point for this nearby state park that was the birthplace of Chief Seattle.
Cascadia Marine Trail
This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to vi…
Vashon Adventures
Season rentals, lessons and group excursions.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Kent)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BFI King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle — 11 mi away. Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $119–$119 a night (typical $547), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$620, comfortable ~$280.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Robinson Point Park and Lighthouse, Vashon Adventures
- Lunch Pop Pop Bottle Shop
- Afternoon Blake Island State Park
- Dinner The Hardware Store Restaurant
- Evening Camp Colvos Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Bike in a Tree, Island Center Forest
- Afternoon Cascadia Marine Trail
- Evening Sporty's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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 boat
By ferry
- Vashon Island ferry terminal 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.
Go King County Water Taxi
Offers service between Pier 50 on the downtown Seattle waterfront and Vashon Island Ferry Terminal with amazing views of the city as a passenger only ferry.
- Tahlequah Ferry Terminal on the southern end of the island has ferry service to Point Defiance in Tacoma.
By private boat
Vashon Island is convenient when exploring Puget Sound, as it is between major harbors in Tacoma, Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula. However, not much guest moorage is available so it is best to plan ahead.
By plane
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.
- King County Metro, from Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Bus stops are at both sides of Fauntleroy Way SW outside of the ferry terminal access road.
Go RapidRide C
South Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, West Seattle, Alaska Junction, Lincoln Park, Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal, and Westwood Village. Travels primarily along Fauntleroy Way SW & California Ave SW in West Seattle
- Kitsap Transit, from Southworth Ferry Terminal
Go 186
Port Orchard Ferry Dock, Port Orchard Armory Park & Ride, Mile Hill, Manchester, South Colby, Harper Church Park & Ride, Southworth Ferry. Connections to Bremerton by another ferry from the Port Orchard Ferry Dock. Click here for ferry schedules between Port Orchard or Annapolis to Bremerton.
- Pierce Transit, from Point Defiance Ferry Terminal
Go 11
Downtown Tacoma, Proctor District on N 26th & Proctor, Point Defiance Ferry Terminal & Park. Some of the buses continue as the #41 bus going towards Tacoma Dome from downtown Tacoma. Not all. Therefore, board the #41 bus going towards downtown at the Tacoma Dome Station to get to Point Defiance Park/Ferry Terminal. May or may not require transfer check with driver.
Connections to Amtrak, Greyhound, Flixbus, Sound Transit and other long distances buses are in downtown Seattle and the Tacoma Dome
Get around
By car
Most people experience the island by car. Vashon Hwy SW is the main north-south 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. 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.
Most roads are numbered. Vashon Island lies approximately between SW 108th St (10800 block) and SW 307th St (30700 block, next to Tahlequah Ferry Terminal), 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 Island's street designation is a continuation of King County's street designation system from West Seattle.
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
Go King County Metro
Runs bus, streetcar and monorail routes within King County. Serves Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Vashon Island, White Center, and Woodinville.
- 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
See Bike in a Tree
A bike swallowed up in a tree. This is the actual bike in a tree woven into the story "Red Ranger Came Calling" by Berkeley Breathed.
Do
Vashon offers many parks and beaches open to the public.
Do Island Center Forest
Ten miles of multi-use trails lead visitors through 440 acres of consisting of forested stands, meadows, the Mukai Pond and the Meadowlake wetlands which form the headwaters of Judd Creek. Island Center Forest is habitat to a variety of wildlife, including more than 70 bird species.
Sea kayaking
Sea kayaking from Vashon can be a rewarding way to explore the Puget Sound's miles of coastline, allowing the paddler a closer and slower look at their surroundings.
Do Blake Island State Park
Vashon Island is a popular launching point for this nearby state park that was the birthplace of Chief Seattle.
Organized trails offer overnight camping options and maps of appropriate and scenic travel destinations.
Do Cascadia Marine Trail
This inland sea trail is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit. People can boat to the campsites from many public and private launch sites or shoreline trailheads on Vashon Island.
Kayak rentals
Scuba diving
Scuba diving the cold waters of Puget Sound takes a bit more gear and training than most warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. 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.
Buy
The town of Vashon has a variety of stores for the average tourist, including local arts and crafts.
Eat
Eat The Hardware Store Restaurant
A nice restaurant in the oldest commercial building on Vashon
Drink
Drink Sporty's
Islanders call this location Sporty's. It is a bar commonly filled with members of the elderly community.
Drink Camp Colvos Brewing
Beer, cider, meat pies and other food.
Drink O'Sole Mio Pizza and Bar
New York-style pizza, with a bar in the back that has booths and bar seats.
Sleep
Vashon Island is a popular and easy getaway from Seattle and Tacoma, with many 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.
Nearby
Olalla
City / town · 16 listings · 4 mi away
Burien
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Southworth
City / town · 7 listings · 7 mi away
Purdy
City / town · 7 listings · 8 mi away
Gig Harbor
City / town · 36 listings · 8 mi away
SeaTac
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
White Center
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Blake Island
Park · 4 listings · 9 mi away
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