Magical Matia Island

Due east of Sucia Island is the beautiful Matia Island marine park.     There are several small coves around its parameter but the very best one, and the only one with buoys and facilities onshore is Rolfe cove on the northwest corner of the island.      Matia Island's  Rolfe cove offers reasonable protection from rough water and wakes from passing boats but there is an opening on one side that sometimes lets a sizable wave through.  (Boat in photo is about to pass through the small opening on the north side of Rolfe Cove).     

Tip : If you're tying up at the dock you should try to be on the south side of the dock (Left side in photo).   You'll  better be able to handle the occasional larger wakes and waves that come into the cove from the north inlet-- the waves will push you away from the dock rather than into it.   If you've ever encountered the wake from a passing 70 foot motor yacht up on plane you will appreciate the need to be properly tied up with ample spring lines and plenty of large boat bumpers.  

If any of this sounds negative it has to be the only negative thing you can say about Matia Island.  Well----  there are also the numerous banana slugs sliming their way around the island, but other than that,  Matia is one of the most special island destinations in all of Puget Sound.     The Island was once home to smugglers, criminals, & hermits, Matia is now part wildlife sanctuary and part island marine park.

The Matia Island Hermit 

Elvin Smith will forever be known as, "The Hermit of Matia Island",  but not a whole lot is known about this elusive character other than the fact that he was a captain during the American Civil War in the Union Army.     After Elvin Smith left the army in the late 1800's,  he moved to Matia Island as a squatter because homesteading has never been allowed on Matia Island.     The remains of Elvin's simple house on Matia's east side are off limits to visitors because they are in the wildlife refuge portion of the island.   There really isn't much there to anyway so you're really not missing out on much.       

Buoys & Docks

There are only two buoys in Matia Island's Rolfe Cove and it seems like they're always taken.     Getting one of these buoys is a bit like a game of musical chairs, you have a chance of getting one each day after the breakfast hour which of course can be anytime between dawn and noon, depending on how much the person you're waiting to leave drank the night before.

One strategy for getting a buoy is to drift around the entrance to Rolfe cove between 9-10am and wait for signs of anyone looking like they're leaving and when they actually do--- you pounce.       The fishing is often excellent near the entrance anyway and you'll likely see bald eagles and a several seals swimming by so you'll have plenty to keep you entertained while you wait.          Another strategy for getting a buoy or dock space is to wait over in  Echo bay on Sucia Island which is about 1.5 miles west -- keep your binoculars trained on Matia and if you see someone leaving you sound the bell---- pull up your anchor quick, and make a break for it!     

Parade Of Boats

 If you're lucky enough to get into Rolfe Cove on a busy weekend you'll witness a parade of yachts and sailboats trolling through the cove hoping for buoy or dock space.     As each boat full of eager visitors slowly passes by you'll see lots of sad faces and as they turn to leave and you'll know where they're going.... where every boater ends up sooner or later--- Echo Bay.        If you don't want to deal with the disappointment of not getting a buoy on Matia you could just head straight for Echo Bay in the first place and be content that you're still in one of the most beautiful places in the San Juans.       After you anchor you could always motor your dinghy across to visit Matia as long as it isn't too rough but don't bring any apples to feed the deer because there aren't any....  That's Jones Island.         

Anchoring In Rolfe Cove

 It really isn't a good idea to attempt to anchor in Rolfe Cove due to the strong currents, rocky bottom, and eel grass, although some people seem to manage it close to shore by dropping one or more anchors at one end and running a second line ashore to a tree or log to keep from swinging around into other boats--- Tides can be up to 14 feet so don't anchor too close to shore while the tide is in or you may find yourself grounded.      

A Day On The Dock

The water in Rolfe Cove is very clear with strong tidal currents that swirl around.  When you look down at the bottom from the dock it seems extremely shallow however the depth sounder showed it was 7 feet and several hours later it registered 15 feet.    You can see starfish, crabs, and an occasional fish going about their business below, and while you can fish from the dock I didn't notice anyone catching anything worthwhile but the kids were having a great time. 

Once Ashore

The floating dock makes coming ashore very easy provided there is room at the dock for your dinghy, but you can always land your dinghy on the sand and gravel beach.     There's an information station at the top of the pier with useful pamphlets and just beyond that you will see the onshore pay station.   There is also a pay station at the end of the floating dock but no registration forms.  You might consider keeping an extra completed registration form on board with just the dates left blank because at times they can run out of them.  Perhaps they run out of them because everyone is grabbing a few extra ones.  It's a vicious circle isn't it?

All of the 6 campsites were well manicured and most offered great views of Rolfe Cove.  There is one campsite deeper in the woods but it also had a nice setting.  

If you're going to camp out you're going to have to deal with  raccoons, so make sure your food is well protected by either locking it up in  a cooler or suspend it in a tree.  Raccoons will probably still wreck your camp but they'll be wasting their time.         Photo Tour Of Matia Island's Loop Trail