Puget Sound
Quartermaster Harbor — Vashon Island
Holding: Excellent
Shelter: Excellent
Shore access
Anchorage Pacific Northwest
About This Anchorage
Quartermaster Harbor is a long, narrow tidal inlet on the south end of Vashon Island, offering some of the most protected anchorage in central Puget Sound. The harbor winds nearly 3 miles inland, past the small community of Burton and through a swing bridge into the inner harbor. It's a popular destination for Seattle sailors who want a quiet overnight without the ferry crowds of Puget Sound's busier stops.
Highlights
- Outstanding shelter in virtually any conditions
- Burton village has a small store and coffee shop within dinghy distance
- Great blue heron rookery at the head of the harbor
- Kayaking and paddleboarding in flat, calm inner waters
- Dungeness crab habitat in the outer harbor
Cautions & Notes
- Swing bridge at Burton has limited hours — call VHF 16 for opening
- Inner harbor can be very shallow at low water — check charts
- Anchoring in the outer harbor means longer dinghy row to shore
- Windsurfers and paddlers in harbor — watch your wake