Everett's man-made Jetty Island is all about nature
Tucked behind construction and boatyards, Everett has an island getaway. And you don't need to own a boat to get there. Just board the free, 80-person passenger ferry and step into a world of wildlife, sandy beaches, marsh grasses, a lagoon and sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Jetty Island is home to more than 45 bird species, including: osprey; the Caspian tern; spotted, western and least sandpipers; killdeer; and the glaucous winged gull. Hawks and eagles can be spotted soaring high above as they search for fish. It's also common to see seals breaking the surface of the water and spraying through their noses, or lounging in the sun at water's edge.
Roughly two miles long, Jetty Island was created in the 1980s to provide a protected navigation channel for the city's port. The dredged material from Port Gardner Bay now provides a sanctuary for wildlife and a mini-vacation spot for locals.
It's said the sandy beaches on the west side have some of the warmest saltwater swimming in the state. In addition to children splashing and making sand castles, a new breed of adventurers has recently discovered the beaches -- kite boarders. This increasingly popular sport is a cross between windsurfing and boarding -- only the kite is attached to the waist and the board to the feet. As the wind catches the kite, the boarders soar, jump and do flips.
While it is possible to get to the island year-round by private boat, the Everett Parks Department runs the Jetty Island ferry from July to Labor Day. It departs from the 10th Street Boat Launch Wednesdays through Sundays.
For a relaxing hike once you're on the island, start at the ranger station and take the wide sandy path that leads toward the far side. On the way to the beach, you'll see a stage used for ranger educational presentations. After trudging through the sand, the waist-high grass thins and the other side of the island,where driftwood lines the beach, comes into view. On a low tide, the sandbar stretches far out in the direction of Gedney Island (the locals know it as Hat Island). On the southern horizon, the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry can be seen making its rounds.
On the sandy side of the island, the current is minimal, the water is warmed by the sun and swimming is allowed, although there are no lifeguards. On a recent visit, kids in swimsuits sat in tide pools and made drip castles from the muddy sand. Tiny crabs scuttled over the ground trying to find a safe haven beneath the surface. The smell of drying seaweed and salt tickled a visitor's nose as the water closed in. Families flew kites beside seagulls and picnics were scattered along the beach. Campfires are permitted in designated areas.
If you prefer to learn more about the local habitat, the Jetty naturalists lead twice-daily 45-minute interpretive walks. Plus, there are a variety of events scheduled through August, including Saturday sunset harbor cruises, Sunday morning harbor cruises, a mud flat safari, puppet shows, nature walks and lagoon walks.
Sept. 2, is the last day of organized activities and the ferry run with a closing ceremony set for 4 p.m. Smoky Bear will be a featured attraction and the flags will be retired for the year. Visitors also may help pick up litter in the annual Trash Bash. Visit the Web site at everettwa.org/parks under "Jetty Island" for details.
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Everett's man-made Jetty Island is all about nature
