Vashon Island

Welcome to Vashon Island

Only a 20-Minute Ferry Ride from Seattle

Vashon Island is located in King County, Washington, and named for James Vashon of the Royal Navy in 1792. Vashon was a friend of explorer George Vancouver, who discovered the island. The largest island in Puget Sound, it’s just a short ferry ride from Seattle or the Kitsap Peninsula to the north end ferry dock, and Tacoma from the south. There are no bridges connecting the island to the mainland, preserving the rural character islanders love and protect.

This unique location—with its combo of proximity to Seattle-Puget Sound area and island solitude with a vibrant community—makes Vashon a very special place. Homes and properties enjoy steady appreciation, in a variety of terrain, architecture, features, and acreage. Residents commute, work on the island, or are retired.

Vashon Island and Maury Island together make up 37 square miles of land, including miles of waterfront with mountain views. Waterfront locales abound, counting those on the outer shores of Vashon-Maury, as well as all those lining the large inlet between them. Views of Mt Rainier and the Cascades to the east can be seen from many places, as can the Olympics to the west. Sunrises and sunsets are enjoyed from decks, beaches and hilltops all over what is called simply ‘the island.’

Whether you drive, walk or bike on to the ferry—or sail into the harbor—when you arrive you know you’re someplace all its own, and a world apart.

Around the Inner Harbors

Quartermaster Harbor is an internal harbor between Vashon and Maury, with a yacht club in the hamlet of Burton. One of several century-old neighborhoods on the island, with a mercantile and picturesque church, old growth path-lined forest and rowing club at Jensen boat launch, it is not uncommon for a deer to walk down the street while children, dogs, and parents chat at Burton Coffee Stand and wave at friends going by. Many waterfront homes nestle around the inner and outer harbors, loved by boaters, rowers, paddle boarders, yachtsmen, kayakers, and visiting vessels. Inner Quartermaster Harbor is the site of the Fourth of July community fireworks show, presented from a barge brought in for the occasion.

Over on Maury Island, across outer Quartermaster Harbor, is the historical community of Dockton, with moorings at Dockton Park, and an enclave of historic homes and buildings from Dockton’s heyday as home to the Puget Sound Drydock Company. The largest drydock on the West Coast, from 1892 to 1909, the shipbuilding population created a community of family homes on little lanes near the water. The old school, church, and store buildings are now privately owned, and Dockton is a quiet residential area with many waterfront locations, hillside and beach properties, farm stands, and the Vashon Golf and Swim Club.

Overlooking the East Passage of Puget sound, at the end of Pt Robinson Road on Maury, is Pt Robinson Park, with its historic lighthouse and park lodging in the Keeper’s Quarters. Orca spotting is not infrequent; locals have an app that alerts them when whales are about. Pt Robinson is in the Vashon Park District , along with many great places to explore on the island. Maury Island Marine Park boasts spectacular views of Mt Rainier and the East Passage.The Land Trust volunteers create new trails on trust- acquired lands regularly. Birders, beachcombers, riders, and walkers enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife in all weathers.

Small Town and Country Character

There are many horse properties on Vashon Island, as well as sheep, llamas, cows, goats, and more. Vashon’s myriad trails and parks, including Equestrian Park, Island Center Forest, and Shinglemill Creek wind through meadows, forests, along creeks, shorelines, and down switchbacks of panoramic views, with various regulations as to their use. It’s “very Vashon” that there are Highland cattle grazing just down the road from ‘town’ — the intersection of Bank Road and Vashon Highway, with its 4-way stop. This is the town center, replete with restaurants, coffee and tea houses, pubs, shops, galleries, groceries, movie theater, banks, bakeries, and walk-friendly lodging. The village green is the location of the Vashon Farmer’s Market, popular with locals and weekenders alike, from April through October. Walking around is the best way to explore.

The next 4-way intersection down the highway is the geographical center of the island. The corner is home to an iconic building with many names: Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, Minglement, the Roasterie—the legendary original home of Stewart Brothers Coffee. 

The old front porch and tables inside are meeting places for locals and visitors who mingle over coffee and conversation, often over the sound of the roaster. Directions on their website are simple: “From the north end ferry dock heading south, we're at the 2nd stop sign. From the south end ferry dock heading north, we’re at the 3rd stop sign.”

Across the street is the new multi-million-dollar Vashon Center for the Arts building, the Katherine L. White Hall and Koch Gallery. The old Fuller Store building across the road is home to Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP), a very helpful non-profit that draws a full house to its annual Fur Ball fundraiser, and keeps a watchful eye on the pets that stray. It’s very Vashon to see a post that the Wallaby is out and about on Maury again.

Events

The highway through the town center is blocked off to cars during July’s annual Strawberry Festival, a weekend when stalls, bands, beer gardens, and a wacky parade draw ferryloads from the mainland and find locals literally dancing in the street. The name pays homage to the many strawberry fields that were once the mainstay of island agriculture.

The Vashon Sheepdog Classic is another big annual event attracting thousands to the island over a weekend in June.

First Fridays—the first Friday in each month—everyone turns out to see the new gallery installations for the month, and to eat, drink, mingle, and move to music on offer all over town. It is no exaggeration to say one could go out every night to some event or entertainment, often featuring local talent, but also enjoying top talent touring through.

The community pumpkin carving tradition at Minglement makes a haunting candlelit display on Halloween night, when the old building finds all ages in creative costumes, hobnobbing to music and checking out the impressive jack’o’lanterns. Creativity and community abound in an events calendar that is remarkable for a small island community. Voice of Vashon (VOV) radio broadcasts and streams an eclectic mix of music and local personalities that give a good audible idea of the island’s unique Character.

Besides the productions at Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA), O Space is a large indoor Open Space with regular musical guests and other events, including aerial artists. You can find music being presented in a number of venues. Concerts, live music, theater, readings, lectures, galleries, shops, and pop-up presentations abound. Vashon Events keeps track of all that’s happening on the island.

Artisanal Abundance

Vashon is home to many artists, craftsmen, photographers and gardeners who excel at their work, including an opera company. There are seasonal Art Studio Tours and Garden Tours, showcasing the diverse talents and home studios of local artisans. Artisanal products from farms are available at stores and also the farm stands themselves. The island boasts some fine wineries and other spiritmakers, with tastings available.

Schools and Arts Programs for Kids

School children are served by the Vashon Island School District. There is one elementary, middle and high school to educate children from Pre-K through grade 12. Vashon Island High School has been the recipient of the Blue Ribbon award and a Learning Distinction award. Parents rate the school system highly, and that helps makes Vashon Island appeals to families with school children. There is a charter school, The Harbor School, as well, that attracts some students from Seattle for its award-winning principles and curriculum. There are alternative nature-centered schools, acknowledged worldwide, for young learners exploring outside.

The Vashon Library is part of the King County Library system, housed in a beautiful new

building in town. Vashon Center for the Arts offers programs and classes year-round, and productions in the new performing arts building include ballets, plays, opera, recitals, by children and local acts, as well as top performers.

Hidden Gems

There’s a lot to love about Vashon Island’s beauty and style. And many of its real estate wonders lie hidden down winding drives, private lanes and backroads. Residents are always advised to consult a Vashon Island real estate agent while seeking real estate on Vashon Island. A Vashon Island realtor will know the best places to live to meet home buying criteria.

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