Matia Island Marine State Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 San Juan Wilderness Island — 145-acre wilderness island in the San Juan archipelago — old-growth forest, bald eagles, and harbor seals on a boat-access-only island
Matia Island Marine State Park is a 145-acre wilderness island in the San Juan Islands — accessible only by boat or kayak. The island’s interior is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge, protecting one of the last stands of old-growth forest in the San Juans. Bald eagles nest on the island, harbor seals haul out on the rocky shores, and the surrounding waters teem with orca whales, porpoises, and sea lions. The island was a smuggling hideout during Prohibition — its remote location and hidden coves made it perfect for running Canadian whiskey across the border.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | San Juan Islands, WA |
| Entry Fee | Discover Pass required |
| Size | 145 acres — WILDERNESS! |
| History | Prohibition smuggling hideout! |
About Matia Island
Matia Island Marine State Park is a remote 145-acre wilderness island in the northern San Juan Islands, accessible only by boat. Most of the island is a National Wildlife Refuge — old-growth forest that has never been logged, making it one of the last pristine island ecosystems in the Salish Sea. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and river otters are residents.
Things to Do
Boat-in camping (primitive sites at Rolfe Cove), kayaking around the island, hiking the 1.5-mile trail through old-growth forest (the only public access in the wildlife refuge), tidepooling, and wildlife viewing. The surrounding waters are excellent for whale watching.
Insider Tips
Wilderness island: Matia Island is a 145-acre island in the northern San Juan Islands — designated as a National Wildlife Refuge. Pro tip: Access is boat-only — no ferry service. The island’s old-growth forest and rocky shores create habitat for bald eagles, river otters, and harbor seals. Sailing paradise: The San Juan Islands are considered the premier sailing destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Calmest seas for boat access. Fall: Fewer boats, wildlife active. Spring: Migrating gray whales pass through. Winter: Bald eagle concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many San Juan Islands are there?
The San Juan Islands archipelago contains 172 named islands and reefs — but only 4 are served by ferry (San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw). The islands sit in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains — receiving only 20-29 inches of rain annually, making them sunnier than Seattle. The combination of protected waters, wildlife, and island culture makes the San Juans unique.
🦅 Visit Matia Island Marine SP
Wilderness island — old-growth, eagles, Prohibition smuggling!
Nearby Attractions
Sucia Island State Park — 1 mile west — is one of Washington’s most popular marine parks with multiple bays. Orcas Island — 5 miles south — has Moran State Park and Mount Constitution. Patos Island State Park — 2 miles northwest — is near the Canadian border. Bellingham is the nearest mainland port.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near San Juan Islands
from $680
from $260
from $29