Vashon-Maury Island sits in the middle of southern Puget Sound, midway between Seattle and Tacoma, HistoryLink writes. King County describes the island as accessible only by water. It is an unincorporated part of King County, not a city. The 2020 Census counted 11,055 people in the Vashon census-designated place; OFM’s April 1 estimates cover cities and towns, so there is no 2026 OFM figure for the island.
Getting there
Washington State Ferries lists three routes to the island: Fauntleroy–Vashon, Southworth–Vashon and Point Defiance–Tahlequah. For foot passengers, the King County Water Taxi runs between Pier 50 in downtown Seattle and Vashon. As of October 10, 2026, King County Metro lists 10 round trips Monday through Friday, after a pilot of weekend sailings. The ferry and Water Taxi schedule pages are linked in Sources; check them before you go.
Parks on the water
Maury Island Marine Park is on the east side of Maury Island, which King County describes as a peninsula of Vashon Island. The county lists 320 acres, more than a mile of Puget Sound shoreline and three miles of trails, with views of the East Passage, Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.
Point Robinson Park, on the east shore of Maury Island, is a 10-acre shoreline park and historical and marine conservancy, according to the Vashon Park District. The site has provided fog and lighthouse service since 1885, and the park has a sandy beach, walking trails and picnic tables.
An island that kept its ferries
HistoryLink records that Captain George Vancouver named Vashon Island in 1792, and that Lt. Charles Wilkes named Maury Island in 1841. The first auto ferry arrived in 1916. Islanders formed their own ferry system in 1948, which ran until Washington State Ferries began operating on June 1, 1951. HistoryLink also recounts that islanders opposed bridge proposals in 1955, in the mid-1960s and again in 1992.
Strawberries
Farming became the main industry once most of the trees had been removed, and berries, especially strawberries, grew well, according to HistoryLink. The Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce lists the 2026 Vashon Strawberry Festival as July 17–19, with a main stage, a fun zone and vendors.
Living here
Life on Vashon follows the ferry schedule, and a summer festival still celebrates the strawberry. Chase Hedin is a Managing Broker who works out of Woodinville. If you’re curious about island life or thinking about selling on Vashon, he can help you weigh it. Start a conversation · What’s my home worth?