Local guide

The island across the water.

Is Vashon Island worth a day trip from Olalla? Yes, and it is the easiest one you have. The ferry from Southworth takes about ten minutes and runs from early morning past midnight. On the other side: a lighthouse, a wooden troll, forest trails, a west-side beach facing the Olympics, farmstands, and a real small town. Here is the day, in order.

Ten minutes by ferry. A lighthouse, a troll, and the town in between.

Written by Assaf, the Olalla Bay editor. Updated October 2026.

The ferry: ten minutes, no reservations

Southworth is about ten minutes from the house, and the ferry terminal is the start of the trip, not a chore before it. Washington State Ferries runs the Fauntleroy, Vashon, and Southworth triangle route all day, from around 5am past midnight. The direct Southworth to Vashon sailings take about ten minutes. A few late-night sailings route via Fauntleroy and take about fifty minutes, so check the day's schedule on wsdot.com and pick a direct one.

No vehicle reservations are taken on this route. Boats load first come, first served, so be in line at the Southworth tollbooth at least twenty minutes before the sailing you want. Summer weekends and Friday evenings are the busy times; midweek mornings you will drive straight on.

Point Robinson: the lighthouse and the troll

Start on Maury Island, the southern half of Vashon, at Point Robinson Park. The lighthouse has guided vessels here since 1885, and the park around it is the island's best first stop: a driftwood beach, picnic tables along the shoreline, and views east across the water to Tacoma and, on clear days, Mount Rainier. Seals and eagles are regulars; orcas have been spotted passing by.

In the field by the upper parking lot stands Oscar the Bird King, the Thomas Dambo troll built from scrap wood, big enough to camp next to. There are in fact two primitive campsites past the field, part of the Cascadia Marine Trail system. The park address is 3705 SW Point Robinson Road. Park in the upper lot; the walk down to the beach is the steep part, and the walk back up is the workout.

Dockton and the Maury Island trails

From Point Robinson, loop through Dockton on the island's southeast side. Dockton Park has the beach and the boat launch; behind it, Dockton Forest and the Maury Island Natural Area hold the trails. Hike the upper bluffs counterclockwise to the open viewing platform, which faces south over the water to Federal Way, Dash Point, and Mount Rainier. Midweek you may have the whole loop to yourself.

This pairs well with the kayaking guide: the Cascadia Marine Trail campsites at Point Robinson and Lisabeula are the same network our bay sits on, so the island is familiar water if you paddle.

Lisabeula: the west-side beach

Lisabeula is the locals' beach on Vashon's west side, facing Colvos Passage and the Olympics, at the end of SW 220th Street. It is a 5.5-acre shoreline park and conservancy on the site of the old Lisabeula Resort, named by the island's postmaster for his two daughters, Eliza and Buelah. There is a grassy play area, picnic tables, a hand-carry boat launch, and primitive Water Trails campsites. Park hours are 7am to 9pm weekdays and 8am to 9pm weekends and holidays. Parking at the bottom is limited, so go early on a nice day.

This is the sunset beach. From here the sun drops behind the Olympics across Colvos Passage, which is the view our side of the water never gets.

The town: coffee, farmstands, and lunch

Vashon's town center is a real small town, not a ferry-line strip. Start with coffee at the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie or the Burton Coffee Stand. For lunch, the Hardware Store Restaurant is the sit-down pick; the Glass Bottle Creamery does the ice cream after. The island's farmstands run along the main roads in season: produce, flowers, and eggs on the honor system in places. The historic Mukai Farm and Garden is worth the detour for the garden alone.

If you would rather move under your own power, Vashon Adventures rents e-bikes and kayaks, with kayak rentals out of Jensen Point. The island is thirteen miles long and hilly; the e-bikes are the honest answer to the hills.

The day, in order

Morning ferry from Southworth, aiming to land before 10. Drive straight to Point Robinson: lighthouse, beach walk, the troll. Back up through town for coffee and lunch, browse the shops and a farmstand or two. Afternoon at Dockton's trails or Lisabeula's beach, depending on weather and legs. Catch an evening ferry home; the crossing is ten minutes and the house is ten minutes past the terminal. The tide guide still applies on island beaches: Lisabeula and Point Robinson are both better at low tide.

Questions people ask

How long is the ferry from Southworth to Vashon Island?

About ten minutes on the direct sailings, which are most of the daytime schedule. A few late-night sailings route via Fauntleroy and take about fifty minutes. Check wsdot.com for the day's schedule.

Do we need ferry reservations to Vashon?

No. The triangle route takes no vehicle reservations; boats load first come, first served. Be at the Southworth tollbooth at least twenty minutes before your sailing.

Where is the troll on Vashon Island?

Oscar the Bird King, the Thomas Dambo troll, stands in the field by the upper parking lot at Point Robinson Park on Maury Island, near the lighthouse.

Can you see Mount Rainier from Vashon Island?

Yes, on clear days. Point Robinson Park looks east to Tacoma and the mountain, and the Maury Island Natural Area has a bluff viewpoint facing Rainier to the south.

Can we do Vashon Island without a car?

Possible but slow. The island is thirteen miles long and hilly. Vashon Adventures rents e-bikes and kayaks, which solves the distance problem. With a car, the whole loop is easy.

Is Lisabeula good for kayaking?

Yes. It is a 5.5-acre shoreline park on Vashon's west side with a hand-carry boat launch and primitive Water Trails campsites. Reserve campsites through Vashon Adventures; there is no overnight vehicle parking.