Decatur Island Island

Decatur Island is one of the islands in Washington State’s San Juan archipelago in the Salish Sea. It is a predominantly rural island with a small year-round community and private properties rather than incorporated towns.

The island is valued for boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing and quiet rural landscapes; there are sheltered anchorages and private docks used by visiting boaters. Recreational use is typically self-supported because there is no regular Washington State Ferry service to the island.

Like other islands in the archipelago, Decatur Island lies within the traditional territory of Coast Salish peoples and later saw European-American settlement for farming and coastal use; development has remained low-density.

Situated in the central San Juan Islands of the Salish Sea northwest of mainland Washington State, the island lies among the maze of channels and islands that make up the archipelago.

• Access and character: Part of the San Juan Islands archipelago in the Salish Sea and largely rural with a small year-round population; commonly reached by private boat or air charter.

Decatur Island is reachable primarily by private boat or via scheduled passenger-only ferry services that operate from Anacortes or neighboring islands (schedules vary seasonally). Check San Juan County ferry and local water-taxi operators for current routes and landing sites.

• Decatur Island has limited services - bring supplies or plan to camp at designated spots.
• The island is best explored by private boat or on scheduled passenger ferry runs offered by local operators; small aircraft service is seasonal.
• Respect private properties and follow posted signs; many parcels are privately owned and cleared paths are few.