Jarrell Cove

Jarrell Cove, on Harstine Island, is one of the most beautiful and popular cruising destinations in south Puget Sound. A state park is set under the tall evergreens on the east shore, with two docks and a dozen mooring buoys scattered throughout the cove. On the west shore is a private marina, with moorage, fuel and other facilities for visitors. Tree-shadowed inlets perfect for exploring by skiff branch off the main cove. There are private homes here, but they don’t seem to intrude on the natural beauty.

The campground facilities, including showers, are open year-round.

Moorings and Anchorage
The state park has two floats, the first long and T-shaped in deep water. The other, to the south, is slightly inside an inlet, L-shaped and more suitable for shallow-draft boats. About a dozen park buoys are placed throughout the cove; depths are fairly steady. Fees are collected year-round for the floats and buoys, at the box located at the head of each ramp. Maximum stay is three nights.

Jarrell Cove Marina may have permanent slips available for visitor moorage. Check in at the office on the fuel dock, or better yet, call ahead to reserve a spot (800.362.8823).

There’s good anchorage to about three-quarters of the way into Jarrell Cove, in a gradually sloping mud bottom.

Getting Ashore
The park floats and shore are public. The marina provides a dinghy dock. All other docks and tidelands in Jarrell Cove are private.

For the Boat and Crew
Jarrell Cove State Park has a pumpout and portable toilet dumps site. Showers are in the upland restrooms.

The fuel dock at the marina is on the outside, east float. The store up the ramp has a few marine supplies and groceries. Showers and a laundromat are nearby.

Things to Do

Trails lace throughout the state park; follow these north to vistas of Pickering Passage and south to the finger-inlet. There are also picnic tables, shelters and campsites. The shoreline is best explored by skiff, as the “beach” disappears at high tide.

A visit to the marina store will teach you a bit about the history of Harstine from the memorabilia on the walls. A collection of shells and starfish are at the foot of the old-fashioned counter.

Sailor, writer and teacher Migael Scherer, who divides her time between Seattle and Lopez Island, is the author of “A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands,” published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. The guide can be purchased online through Armchair Sailor Books & Charts, Captain’s Nautical Supplies, Amazon and other retailers.