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Hartstine Island


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Hartstine Island

Hartstine Island is located in south Puget Sound north of Olympia and has two sea kayak launch points at Latimer Landing and at Jarrell Cove State Park. In addition to circumnavigating the island, you can make trips to Herron, McMicken, Stretch, and Reach Islands.

launch points

on the water

Harstine Island Circumnavigation

Difficulty: Sea Kayak III

This large island in the south sound can be explored with a variety of out and back paddles or a one or two day 23 nm. circumnavigation.  The typical circumnavigation launch is Latimer Landing at the west end of the Hartstene Island bridge.  The island can also be explored launching from Boston Harbor, Arcadia, Jarrell Cove State Park or Fair Harbor.  An overnight circumnavigation could stop and camp at either Hope Island or Jarrell Cove State Parks.  McMicken Island State Park on the eastern shore is a good stopping place, but does not permit camping.

Camping is available at the Jarrell Cove Marina with a fee. Please note this is a private marina so 220 East Wilson Rd, Shelton, WA 98584. Generally only open Memorial day to Labor day, for more info contact them 360-426-8823.

Herron & McMicken Islands

13 nm round trip, Difficulty: Sea Kayak II/III

The dificulty is between Sea Kayak II and Sea Kayak III depending on conditions. Launch near Jarrell Cove State Park on Harstine Island, paddle through Pickering Passage, across Case Inlet, around Herron Island (no landings allowed), and back across Case Inlet to McMicken Island.

Information for Leaders

permits

The Mountaineers has a commercial use permit with Washington State Parks for all free and fee-based outings at state parks. Leaders should carry a print or digital copy of our  commercial use permit to show rangers they may encounter. 

  • Difficulty: Sea Kayak III
Map
  • MapTech Puget Sound Chart No. 100
  • NOAA Puget Sound: Southern Part No. 18448
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Harstine Island to McMicken Island
  • Harstine Island Circumnavigation
  • Harstine Island to Stretch & Reach Islands
  • Herron & McMicken Islands
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