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VISITING VASHON

ABOUT VASHON

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We call it "Heart of the Sound"

Nestled in the "Heart of the Sound" with views of water or mountains at every corner, Vashon-Maury is truly an Island. It can only be reached by a breathtakingly beautiful ferry ride. There is something magical about being on an island. The pace is slower, the people are friendlier, the attitudes are relaxed and our patchwork of pastoral and natural settings makes it a refreshing Northwest getaway. Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce welcomes you.

With 45 miles of shoreline, Vashon-Maury Island boasts the majority of waterfront property in King County. The Island is approximately 13 miles long and eight miles at the widest point, with a year-round population of about 11,000. Whether you are looking for a quiet, romantic place to relax or activities for you and the entire family, Vashon has it all! Check out our Events page to see what is happening now. Through our Business Directory, you can find interesting places to stay, quaint shops to visit, an eclectic mix of restaurants, local galleries, historical sites, musical concerts, places to hike, places to bike, and places to enjoy outdoor activities. Could this be your heaven on earth?

THINGS TO DO ON VASHON

  • Bike Vashon - Vashon is a popular cycling location and a beautiful scenic tour on wheels.
  • Sip Vashon - With wineries, cideries and breweries around every bend, this is another favorite pastime for islanders and visitors alike!
  • Art & Entertainment - Perhaps what Vashon is most well known for, is its creativity. An island bustling with artists and performers, the galleries and shows are not to be missed.
  • Food & Drink - What many might not know is that Vashon boasts some of the finest dining in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Lodging - Sometimes the best part of visiting Vashon is the place you stay!
  • Looking for more? Check out our Area Map
  • Vashon Strawberry Festival - The Vashon Island Chamber is excited to present Vashon Strawberry Festival 2022 focused on the theme “By Vashon, For Vashon”.
Photo courtesy of Vashon Adventures

GETTING HERE

Vashon Island is accessible only by boat. Save time by purchasing your ferry ticket in advance!

OldeTymeFerrydock_211x239

Vashon Island is just a short ride from most of the Puget Sound area. It’s like another world just across the water. Vashon Town is located just five miles south of the north end ferry terminal, which services Fauntleroy (West Seattle) and Southworth (Port Orchard) travelers. The south end ferry dock is a lovely 10-mile drive to town arriving from Pt. Defiance (Tacoma). There are four blinking lights on the Island, and most directions start with “after the second blinking light from your ferry dock, turn…”

Ferry schedules are posted at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

Ferry cams are available on several routes and docks, with more coming shortly. Please check on the status of current traffic conditions by clicking on this website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/cameras/.

Commuter/Foot Ferry. The ferry at Pier 50 (downtown Seattle) to Vashon is a commuter, foot ferry with extremely limited service. It is run by King County, not by Washington State Ferries. Click here for schedule information: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/VashonIsland-DowntownSeattle.aspx.

The Transit Go app is a great resource for following this schedule: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/fares-orca/transit-go-ticket.aspx

Seattle/Metro Bus Service

Seattle Metro buses #118 and #119 connect to Vashon and continue service on Vashon. If you are planning a trip to Vashon on a Sunday, the RapidRide C Line runs seven days a week and stops at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. (Remember that Vashon Town is five miles south of the north end ferry terminal.) Please check www.kingcounty.gov/tripplanner to confirm your bus route and times. Enter the route number in the search bar to view schedules. Click on Weekday or Saturday/Sunday to view current schedules. Buses run 7 days a week with reduced service on weekends. Buses may be hailed from anywhere on the island (like a taxi)

Pierce County Buses #10 and #11 arrive at Pt. Defiance Ferry Terminal (Tacoma) for the ferry to the Tahlequah dock (south end). Check connections and times at www.piercetransit.org Under "Plan Your Trip," enter your location and destination information.

Kitsap County travelers will need to call Kitsap Transit at 1-360-373-2877 or 1-800-501-7433 for trip planning assistance. Kitsap Transit does not offer online trip planning yet.

Directions to Fauntleroy (West Seattle) Terminal from Seattle

From I-5: Take exit 163 to the West Seattle Bridge, which will take you to the community of West Seattle onto Fauntleroy Way SW. Follow Fauntleroy Way SW to the end past Lincoln Park. Cars waiting to board may be lined up on the right side of the road next to the park. Take note of parked cars with people sitting in them. They are waiting in the boarding line. Park at the end of the line. Be careful not to cut in line, as this could result in you getting sent back to the end of the line. Be aware that parking or sitting inside the white crop lines could result in a traffic fine. Please note: To make sure you board the correct vessel, indicate to the dockworker by either raising two fingers in a “V” (peace sign), indicating a Vashon boarding lane, or verbally confirm Vashon. If you show three fingers you will be loaded onto the Southworth (Port Orchard) bound ferry.

Directions to Southworth (Port Orchard) Terminal

From I-5: Take exit 132 and proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately 35 miles to Hwy 160 exit. Take Hwy 160 (Sedgwick road) exit, turn right onto Hwy 160 at stop sign and proceed approximately seven miles to yet another stop sign. Turn right; the ferry dock is straight ahead. Parking is located to the right of the terminal.

From Bremerton: Go east on Hwy 16 to the Sedgwick Road. (Hwy 160) exit. Turn left onto SE Sedgwick Road and proceed 7.3 miles to SE Southworth Drive. Turn right onto SE Southworth Drive and proceed to the toll booth. Please note: Vashon vehicles load five minutes prior to scheduled departure time. When line one to Vashon fills up, the vehicles in the second line to Vashon will have to back onto the boat. Car and driver tickets from Southworth to Vashon are collected at the Southworth dock. Passenger tickets are collected when you disembark at Vashon.

Directions to Point Defiance (Tacoma) Terminal

From I-5: Take exit 132 (Hwy 16). Proceed west on Hwy 16 approximately three miles and exit on the 6th Avenue exit (signed Vashon ferry). Proceed straight through the first stop light. Turn right at the next stop light onto Hwy 163 (Pearl Street). Proceed north, approximately 3.5 miles, to the stop sign at the entrance to Pt. Defiance Park. Stay in the right lane and bear to the right. Do not enter the park. The auto toll plaza is one block on the right. The ferry terminal is located at the end of the street. Parking is to the left of the terminal. On the Tahlequah side, returning to Tacoma, please note these ferry etiquette tips: Be careful not to cut in line, as this could result in you getting sent back to the end of the line. Be aware that parking or sitting inside the white crop lines pose a traffic safety hazard.

ARRIVING BY SAIL OR MOTORBOAT

For those of you planning on boating to Vashon, note that there are 2 public marinas. Dockton Park on Maury Island has picnic facilities, public restrooms, shower facilities, a swimming area, and a playground. Metro bus routes pass the park and will take you to Vashon Town for food and activities. Please refer to the link above for schedules.

Quartermaster Marina is located in Burton’s inner Quartermaster Harbor. Please call in advance for space availability and to make reservations at 206-463-3624. Power, water, shower, and laundry facilities are all available here. The lovely Burton community has a small general store, Harbor Mercantile, an iconic coffee stand, a post office, and a barbershop.

The Dockton Marina is currently open for day use only and limited space due to dock repair.

Quartermaster Yacht Club is also located in Burton’s inner Quartermaster Harbor. You must have reciprocal membership from another yacht club to dock. First come, first served at guest dock. No reservations. Electricity is available for a small fee.

ARRIVING BY PRIVATE PLANE

Vashon has one public airport, Vashon Municipal Airport, which is located on Cove Road approximately two miles from the main town intersection. Commercial flights into this airport can be arranged through Vashon Island Air. For information contact www.island-air.com. Bob Therkelsen is the Airport Manager. He may be reached at 206-463-3142 or email at kbtherkelsen@comcast.net.

Google "air nav 2s1" for more detailed information.