Harstine Island Voyage Tips and guide

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Harstine Island (also known simply as Harstine or Harstene) is a 18.65 sq mi (48.3 km²) island community of about 1000 people in Washington State. It is located west of Case Inlet in southern Puget Sound, between the Key Peninsula (part of Kitsap Peninsula) and the Olympic Peninsula.

Pickering Passage, to the northwest, separates the island from mainland, while Case Inlet, to the east, separates it from Key Peninsula. Squaxin Island lies to the southwest, separated by Peale Passage. To the south, Harstine Island is separated from the mainland by Dana Passage. It is connected to the mainland via a bridge near the southern end of the Kitsap Peninsula.

U.S. Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes (1798–1877) explored much of the west coast including Puget Sound. The island was named by Lt. Wilkes for Lt. Henry J. Hartstene.

For most of the island's history, there wasn't a single standard spelling of its name. Even today, several different spellings are used.

Of the several possible ways to spell the name of the island, Hartstene and Harstine are the most used and most popular. Both have been used nearly interchangeably in many published references. Alternative spellings of the name include Hartstene, Harsteen, Harstein, Harstene, Hartstein and Harstine. In 1997 Washington State Legislative action resulted the island being named "Harstine Island".

Harstine Island is 8 mi (13 km) east of Shelton and 10 mi (16 km) north of Olympia.

Harstine Bridge Rd crosses Pickering Passage to link Harstine Island to the mainland. It was built in 1969 to replace a ferry.

Jarrell Cove State Park offers buoys and dock space for visiting boaters.

North Island Drive, South Island Drive and E Harstine Island Road form a hilly and twisted loop around the island which is popular not only with drivers but also cyclists.

There are many areas to explore on the island including Jarrell Cove State Park and nearby McMicken Island State Park. Latimer’s Landing is a Mason County Park featuring a boat launch and dock that provides easy access to Pickering Passage, Puget Sound and beyond.

• 47.2831-122.8831 Jarrell Cove State Park, 391 E Wingert Rd, Shelton, ☏ +1 360 426-9226, [email protected]. 8AM-Dusk. A 43-acre marine camping park with 3,500 feet of saltwater shoreline on the northwest end of Harstine Island in south Puget Sound. The forested island park is accessible by road and bridge and is off the beaten path. Most visitors arrive by boat. The park has campsites near the docks, as well as on rolling, grassy areas. Jarrell Cove State Park administers five other satellite parks nearby. Discover Pass required.  
• 47.2624-122.87062 Harstine Island State Park, Yates Rd. Harstine Island State Park is a day use park with beach access via a half-mile trail. It is a two mile drive from Jarrell Cove. Discover Pass required. (updated May 2025)

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular places for cruising on small craft in America and Harstine Island is a prime example of why it's so popular offering many complex waterways to explore and a friendly marina with ample space to dock as well as many buoys available at the state park.

Harstine Island is close to the Key Peninsula water trails and offers several places to launch sea kayaks including a wide and accessible boat launch on the mainland on the west side of the bridge leading to the island.

• 47.24857-122.862451 McMicken Island State Park, ☏ +1 360 426-9226, [email protected]. 8AM-Dusk. An 11.5-acre marine park with 1,661 feet of saltwater shoreline located just to the east of Harstine Island. It is situated in the beautiful South Puget Sound and features a pristine cove to set anchor. Visitors can enjoy the many hiking trails, viewing an active bald eagle nest and shellfish harvesting. The shellfish population is abundant and open to shellfish harvesters year round. Discover Pass required.  
• 47.3284-122.8212 Stretch Point State Park. Nearby on Stretch Island. It is administered as a satellite of Jarrell Cove State Park and is easily accessible by boat. Discover Pass required.  

The main road is a loop with many turns and hills and offers a scenic way to see the island. Watch out for cars on the tight roads.

There are no restaurants on the island. There are two places just across the bridge on Pickering Rd:

• 47.27091-122.951071 Spencer Lake Bar and Grill, 1180 E Pickering Rd, Shelton. (updated May 2025)
• 47.27597-122.960742 Olympic Bakery and Deli, 591 E Pickering Rd, Shelton. Serves coffee and is occasionally open to wine tasting. (updated May 2025)