Maury Island Island

Maury Island is an island in Puget Sound, Washington State, and is commonly grouped with Vashon Island as the Vashon-Maury community in King County. It is a coastal residential and marine area within the southern Puget Sound.

Shoreline parks and marine-access points offer kayaking, shoreline walking and views across Puget Sound. Recreational use focuses on waterfront access and low-intensity outdoor activities rather than developed tourist facilities.

The island lies within the traditional territory of Coast Salish peoples. In 1947 it was the focus of the so-called Maury Island incident, an early reported UFO sighting that entered the contemporary press and investigation.

Maury Island is located in southern Puget Sound, adjacent to Vashon Island and within King County, Washington. It is reached from Seattle via the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry followed by road travel on Vashon.

• 1947 incident: Associated with the 1947 “Maury Island incident,” an early reported UFO event that drew national attention.
• Access: Reached from Seattle by ferry to Vashon Island, then by road; Vashon and Maury are commonly treated as a single community area.

What to See#

• Maury Island Marine Park: King County’s Maury Island Marine Park occupies shoreline on the island and provides public access to beaches and waterfront trails.

Take the Washington State Ferry to Vashon Island (Fauntleroy-Vashon route), then drive or use local roads toward Maury Island areas. Ferries run regularly from Fauntleroy (West Seattle).

• Access Maury Island via the Washington State Ferries to Vashon Island (Fauntleroy-Vashon); then drive south or take local roads toward Maury Island areas.
• Visit the site associated with the 1947 Maury Island Incident for a sense of local legend, but treat claims with skeptical curiosity - it remains a disputed episode.
• Explore shoreline parks and viewpoints; private property covers much of the island so respect local signs and access rules.