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Sandy fun at Jetty Island. Photo: Meredith Charaba
Puget Sound’s rocky shores teem with crawly critters and thriving tide pools, but when summer arrives, you want to sink your toes into some sand. Trade in your boots for flip-flops and head to one of our region’s hidden gems, Everett’s Jetty Island.
The island is accessible only by boat. While you can visit it year-round with your own boat, the city of Everett partners with the Port of Everett to offer a low-cost ferry to the island in the summer.
The Jetty Island ferry season began on Friday, July 5, 2024 and ends Sept. 1, 2024.
Jetty Island ferry
The Jetty Island ferry takes just five minutes from the Everett waterfront. You can see the island from the dock as you board the ferry.
The 60-passenger Jetty Island ferry runs Wednesday through Sunday and tickets for the ferry must be booked in advance. Round-trip tickets cost $3 per person Wednesday and Thursday; $5 per person Friday–Sunday. Kids ages 2 and younger ride free but still require a reservation.
My family and I secured ferry tickets for the second week of July. We knew we needed to check in for our ferry ride 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, so we parked early and headed toward the waterfront.
My daughter was ecstatic to see a nautical-themed playground in Everett’s waterfront park. I was thrilled she had something to do after we checked in and waited for our ferry boarding time.
On a Wednesday morning, the first ferry of the day was full, but didn’t feel overly crowded. We climbed the spiral stairs to the top of the small ferry and enjoyed the cool breeze.
Once we reached Jetty Island, we had to check in again to secure our return ferry time. While I had reserved our return time online in advance, I still needed to get a paper pass and confirm details for the return trip. This meant waiting in a short line.
Then it was time for the beach! We walked a sandy path from the ferry dock to the other side of the island, where we found 2 miles of sandy beach (the longest in Puget Sound) and warm shallow water that seemed to go on forever. There was plenty of room for everyone on the beach, though we noticed it got more crowded by the central path as the day went on.
We visited at low tide and walked along the beach exploring. We saw birds flying overhead, clam shells in the sand and plenty of seaweed.
It was a warm and sunny day, so the beach and returning tide got toasty warm, and I didn’t mind dipping my toes in the water. But signs along the sandy path warned beachgoers to be cautious in the mud at low tide — ghost shrimp burrows can cause unexpected sinking. And indeed, I found my feet sinking into the sand a bit as we walked along.
Jetty Island beach
Jetty Island started as a rock jetty over a century ago, designed to provide a protected harbor and navigation channel.
“Jetty Island emerged after years of dredging the channel and using the river sediment to create the unique beaches and marshes,” said Lisa Mandt of the Port of Everett. “In addition to being one of the only sandy beaches on Puget Sound, the island serves as a wildlife preserve for many species of waterfowl and juvenile salmon.”
With no electricity or running water, Jetty Island feels quite undeveloped. “It’s just you and the beach,” noted Kraig Hansen, a Jetty Island naturalist. “The island’s rustic nature adds to Jetty’s appeal.”
To protect the wildlife and natural habitat of Jetty Island, be sure to stick to the existing paths to and from the beach. Though it’s not a long path from the ferry to the beach, we found a couple benches along the way perfect for watching birds or taking a quick break, surrounded by plants like yarrow and rose hips.
What to bring to Jetty Island (and what to leave at home)
Plan ahead and pack everything you’ll need to make your day enjoyable: food and drinks, lots and lots of water, towels, beach chairs, sunscreen, extra clothes and beach toys. You might also want to bring a beach umbrella or pop-up tent, as there is no shade on the island. And on a windy day, it’s a great spot for flying a kite!
The ferry also limits the number of strollers and wagons allowed. It may be difficult to navigate the sandy pathways with a stroller, so make sure you have enough hands to safely transport your gear and your children. With our pop-up beach tent, picnic lunch, beach toys and kite, I was glad to have an extra adult with me to carry everything to our spot and set up for the day.
Keep in mind that everything brought onto the island must be packed out, including garbage.
If you like, bring wood for a bonfire. Fire pits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Collecting or burning driftwood is not allowed.
You’ll have to leave your pets at home for this excursion. Dogs are not allowed on the island.
If you go to Jetty Island ...Find it: The ferry to Jetty Island leaves from the 10th Street Boat Launch, located at 522 10th St. in Everett. Operating hours: The ferry operates 10 a.m.–5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 10 a.m.–6:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The season runs from July 5–September 1. Jetty Island ferry tickets: Reserve timed ferry tickets online, in advance. Round trip ferry fare costs $3–$5 per person; ages 2 and younger ride free but still need a reservation. You must arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected departure time to keep your spot. Remember to book your return ticket when making your reservation, and confirm your return time when you arrive at Jetty Island. Marina parking: Discounted parking at the ferry dock is available, $2 for 8 hours, if you book it in advance. If you do not purchase in advance, parking is free for up to two hours; posted rates apply after that. Facilities: Bathrooms are located near the Jetty Island boat launch, but there is no running water or electricity on the island so they are a bit rustic. There are also family restrooms on the Everett waterfront, near the parking lot, which do have running water. More info: For more information on ferry reservations and Jetty Island programs, check out Visit Everett’s Jetty Island FAQ. More summer fun near the water: |
Editor’s note: This article was written several years ago, and was most recently updated by family fun editor Meredith Charaba in July 2024, with new details for the Jetty Island ferry and 2024 season, along with insights from her visit to the island. Abbey McGee and Elisa Murray also contributed to this article.
