Seasonal Delights: Jetty Island Days
The Pacific Northwest is not known for its sandy beaches, and we're okay with that as long as we get to our little sliver of paradise known as Jetty Island every once in a while. Jetty Island was created over 100 years ago with sediment dredged from the Snohomish River. You can learn more about the history here.
It is officially Jetty Island Days from now to Labor Day. You can take a ferry boat to the island for a day in the sun, or clouds, probably both. Here's what you need to know to go.
RESERVATIONS
Make your reservations online for $3 per adult or child over 2. Children 2 and under are free, but you MUST make a reservation for them too. Everyone ferried to the island needs be accounted for. Check-in at least 15 minutes before your boarding time. There is a standby line if there are no-shows, but why rely on that when booking is so easy?
PACKING
Know that you will be schlepping your gear through sandy trails to the opposite side of the island from the ferry boat. Pack accordingly. You will need all the usual beach gear. Pack as much as you can in a backpack freeing your hands for things like chairs, coolers and kids. No, your stroller will not work in the soft sand. The wheels on coolers aren't much good either, so know you'll be dragging it.
You'll also need to move all your gear from the car and onto the ferry boat, perhaps hefting it to the boat's upper deck. We're not going to kid you; it's a lot of work. But, we assure you it'll be worth it once you settle on the beach.
PARKING
When you make your ferry boat reservations online, you'll get an option to pay for parking at a discounted rate of $2 for up to 8 hours. Of course, parking is first-come, first-served, but we've always been able to find a spot.
RESTROOMS
If you have kids with you, be proactive and use the restrooms when you get off the boat. The only available restrooms on the island are at the ferry boat dock. Do the car-trip-rest-stop method where everybody must go because it is not a quick trip for anyone "waiting for the last minute."
FIRST STOP
You've unloaded your stuff from the ferry boat, and everyone has taken a bathroom break. Before you head to the beachside, make sure to pick up return tickets. The boat holds 60 passengers, so you may not get the exact return time you hoped for. Be flexible. Oh, and set an alarm to give your crew time to pack up and hike back in time to make your return trip. If you mess this up somehow, don't worry; staff or the Coast Guard has always ensured everyone gets back to the mainland.
SUNSCREEN
We bet a disproportionate number of Everett summer sunburns happen at Jetty Island. You’re chillaxing, there's a nice breeze, and it might be cloudy, so you may forget to reapply sunscreen. Pack some sun-protective clothing and set reminders to reapply sunscreen.
There you have it, everything you need to know to plan a fun day at Jetty Island.
Have you been to the Jetty? Any tips we left off? Let us know on Facebook.
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