Nestled in the heart of the Puget Sound with views of water or mountains at every corner, Vashon Island is truly a paradise like environment. You can only access this island by taking a breathtakingly beautiful yacht ride. Friendly people, relaxed atmosphere, sandy beaches, woodsy trails, parks, pastures, and unique natural settings make Vashon a refreshing Northwest getaway. Once you are on the island, you will be amazed by twists and turns, winding one-lane roads, tall trees, greenery and its sandy beaches. Whether you want to rent a kayak to explore the city from the crystal clear waters or wish to take a bicycle ride, here are a few things that you must do and see while vacationing in Vashon.
Things to see and do on Vashon Island
-
Beautiful Beaches: Vashon Island has approximately 50 miles of beachfront. It boasts a variety of beaches, rugged rocky beaches to sandy ones. If you prefer sunbathing, picnicking and wildlife viewing opportunities, then visit KVI Beach. Lisabeula beach has a boat launch site and offers great fishing opportunities. Watch ferries and ships go by at the North End Beach Ramp. You can begin your kayak trip around Blake Island from here. Point Robinson Lighthouse has a beach and fishing access with ample views of Puget Sound and the island. If you want to do some bird watching, then visit 3.5 acre Fern Cove. Jenson Point is a great place to enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and canoing with the whole family. Jenson Point also has a small grassy area with picnic tables. Try some diving and fishing at the Tramp Harbor Dock.
-
Amazing Parks: Vashon is an island of parks. It has many beautiful parks that provide great opportunities for exploration, wildlife viewing, and adventurous activities to enjoy. Agren Memorial Park has 30 acres of riding trails and is also home to a baseball playing field. Burton Acres - Jensen Point is an ideal place for swimming and horseback riding. It boasts 68 acres of walking and riding trails, a boat launch area along with restrooms, a picnic area, and beach access. Dockton Park has 23 acres of hiking trails, swimming access and picnic areas. Inspiration Point Outlook is a must visit place for sunrise watching. Bird watchers must check out the 90-acre wildlife preserve area – Fisher Pond. If you are nature lover and want to spend time hiking the forested areas, then visit Maury Island Park. Other parks and activity centers include Ober Park, Paradise Ridge Park, Pt. Robinson Park, Spring Beach Park, Vashon Commons, and Village Green to name a few.
-
Tourist Attractions: The “tree that ate a bicycle” is a popular tourist destination for curiosity seekers. A boy left his bicycle chained to a tree when he went away to war in 1914. He never returned and the tree started growing around the bike. Now this incredible 'bike in the tree' is a great tourist attraction. Nashi Orchards is located on the south end of Vashon and is a great place for outdoor events and celebrations. Lavender Hill Farm opens seasonally from late June to July when lavender blooms. This ½ acre certified organic lavender farm also boasts a vacation rental. Palouse Winery is the best Puget Sound winery where you will find wines that are smooth and voluptuous. The winery is also known as one of the best Washington Winery Makers. Also, wine tasting is available at Vashon Winery. Located on the northwest part of Vashon, Shinglemill Creek Preserve is a great place to see coho salmon returning to spawn and view shorebirds. If you are interested in learning arts and culture of Vashon, then Ravens Nest Art Gallery is a charming place for you. You will find paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelery, wood, glass, textile and more. Enjoy hiking in the 60-acre multi-use trails of Frog Holler, Vashon’s newest Community Forest. Fisher Pond is Vashon's largest open water pond and a perfect place for bird watching. Other tourist attractions include Rabbs Lagoon, Portage Store, Mukai Pond, and Northilla Beach to name a few.
-
Shopping and Dining: You will find plenty of retail and craft stores in Vashon. You can buy teas, organic food and essential oils at Minglement store. Experience the elegance of home decoration at GIRAFFE store. Museum Store specializes in books, maps, cards and other items related to Vashon. If you want hand-designed, unique silk garments, visit the Dova Silks shop. Vashon Intuitive Arts, Kronos, Heron's Nest, Country Store and Farm, Vashon Triftway, Hinge Gallery, and Raven's Nest Art Gallery are some of the popular retail stores in Vashon. From amazing organic coffee, tasty pizza to authentic Mexican food, you will find different varieties of cuisines in Vashon. Do check out these popular restaurants May Kitchen & Bar, Cafe Luna, Alli Lanphear Vineyard and winery, Isola Restaurant, Anu Rana's Healthy Kitchen, and Zamorana.
-
Adventurous Activities: The waters surrounding Vashon offer great fishing opportunities for pink salmon and plenty of fishing piers for catching bottomfish and migratory salmon. Marine Area 11 is located south from the north tip of Vashon and is the best fishing location in Vashon. Whale watching in Vashon typically focuses on Orcas (Killer Whales), however whales are often seen up and down the Washington coast. Gray whales and humpback whales are also seen as well as a wide variety of other marine wildlife. Some of the popular whale watching spots in and around Vashon include Dilworth Point and Pt. Robinson Lighthouse, and the San Juan Islands. Paddle kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailing, hiking, walking, and biking are all favorite activities for outdoor enthusiasts on Vashon-Maury.
-
Day Trips: Vashon is a city for water lovers. It sits on Puget Sound and Bainbridge Island, Whidbey Island, Seattle, Tacoma are just a short boat ride away. Bainbridge Island is only 35-minute boat ride away from Vashon. Be sure to visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, spend time wine tasting at Eagle Harbor Winery, or go on a tour to Bainbridge Organic Distillers. Whidbey Island has much more to enjoy - beautiful towns, farms, and the amazing Deception Pass State Park. Take a leisurely ride on a luxurious yacht and visit the four sister islands of San Juan County - Lopez, Orcas, Shaw or San Juan. Seattle is the most beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest region, which is known for its unique beauty and cultural significance. If you have some vacation time left after exploring Vashon, you can plan to include these destinations in your charter itinerary: Vancouver, Victoria, Port Townsend and Camano Island.
From the heart of Puget Sound to the soul of the Pacific Northwest culture, Vashon Island is packed with beautiful scenery and unusual experiences. Discover the magnificent beauty of this Northwest destination and outdoor activities on a luxury yacht charter with Pacific Northwest Yacht Charters. We have numerous luxurious yachts equipped with all the amenities that you need for a memorable vacation. Our attentive crew, on board your own private chartered vessel, will help you explore the magnificent sites of Vashon and enjoy fishing, sailing, wildlife watching and other interesting activities. Find out more about the type of luxury yachts that you can charter for your Pacific Northwest vacation in Vashon by clicking on the Our Fleet link provided here. You can contact our charter consultant directly by clicking here to plan your charter itinerary.
