JETTY ISLAND — Stretch onto memory-foam sand. Tune out the noises in your head. Let the kids run wild.
This place is the tonic for the demands of everyday life. It’s a stone’s throw across the water from Everett yet feels a world away.
“This is the Riviera of the Pacific Northwest,” said Randy Stratton, of West Seattle. “The sand is excellent, the water is warm.”
He kicked back in a beach chair on an annual pilgrimage to Jetty Island with three other adults and 13 kids, ages 4 to 13.
Here you can be outnumbered by kids without worry.
“This is really super family-friendly,” said Brooke Linford, who was among Stratton’s party of 17. “The water is shallow for a long time so it’s good for little kids.”
The group packed in food, chairs, buckets, balls, kites and an inflatable boat.
A day at Jetty is easy and affordable. Park the car at the Port of Everett for $3. Board the ferry that has a suggested donation of $2 for adults, $1 for children. A few minutes later you are there, steps away from action or relaxation.
There aren’t any stores or cars or vendors or unnatural distractions. Don’t worry, there are restrooms.
The man-made sand strip is 2 miles long.
“How did they make an island like this?” said first-time visitor Connie Goodey from the Tri-Cities area as she waded through the long tide pools with her grandchild. “It is beautiful.”
The hub is the central beach area populated by tykes with sand shovels and forts made of driftwood branches. There also are trails and places to explore.
Susan Stillman of Seattle came to bird watch.
“At the end of the island there’s a nice lagoon and it’s full of wading birds and swallows,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many ospreys and the herons are copious. It’s a really good feeling.”
For David Engle, the good feeling is from creations that are stringed, not winged.
The Everett man has about 50 kites. On this day, his 24-foot-long octopus kite fluttered over the beach, much to the delight of children of all ages. He comes to Jetty often during the season to sail his kites.
“I love to fly on this island,” Engle said.
Jetty Island is open through Sept. 5.
Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.
How to get there
The Jetty Island ferry departs from Jetty Landing by the Port of Everett’s boat launch at 10th Street and West Marine View Drive. Pick up boarding passes at the kiosk at Jetty Landing Park. Return passes are available on the island.
Ferries run 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
There is a suggested ferry donation of $2 for adults, $1 for kids. Donations boxes are on both sides of the water.
Reservations are available for Everett residents and groups of eight people or more. Schedule two business days or more in advance. Those without reservations can ride if seats are available.
Call 425-257-8304 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to make reservations. A real human answers the phone and gives you a confirmation number.
Port of Everett parking is $3.
What to bring
Water.
Food, snacks and beverages.
Sunscreen. Sunglasses.
Hat, shoes, jacket and extra clothing.
Towels. Blankets.
Sand toys. Balls. Kites.
Beach umbrella. Tent.
Jetty rules
No pets (other than service animals), alcohol or drugs.
Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Campfires are allowed in designated fire pits.
Swim only on the west shore at your own risk.
No overnight camping.
Pack it in. Pack it out.
Events
Puppet shows: Mondays, July 11 through Aug. 29. Follow the adventures of Charlie Seagull, L.C. Salmon, Ollie and Olivia Octopus and their friends.
Nature crafts: 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays. Make treasures to take home. All supplies provided.
Art at the Island: Sponsored by the Sisters Arts Loft, this art contest is for ages 13 to 16; and 12 and under. Artwork is displayed at Fishermen’s Market and Grill. Weekly ribbons will be awarded for each age group, with grand prizes awarded Sept. 6.
Campfires: Campfires are from 7 to 8 p.m. and include gooey marshmallow snacks. July 9, ghost stories. July 15, drum circle. July 23, sea shanty and tales of the sea. July 29, camp songs. Aug. 6, campfire jokes. Aug. 12, campfire. Aug. 20, campfire. Aug. 26, Jetty night life. Sept. 3, Native American stories.
Sand castle contest: noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 6. Create a castle fit for a king or a crab. Bring buckets, scoops and other tools. From first-timers to to serious sand sculptors.
Senior Day: noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 10. Enjoy a day of special activities for seniors, including nature walks, Jetty bingo and refreshments. Bring a lunch, a hat, an umbrella and sunglasses.
Fresh Paint float find: 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20. Hunt for blown-glass treasures. Collect a glass float and take it to the Fresh Paint Festival at Marina Village for a certificate of authenticity. Reservations on early boats strongly suggested. Early ferries will be added and the west beach will be closed to all visitors until the 10:30 a.m. start time.
Closing activities: Sept. 5. Say goodbye to summer and the Jetty with a celebratory clean-up. Smokey Bear and local scout troop color guard will lower the flags for the closing celebration. Trash bash starts at noon with closing ceremonies at 4 p.m.
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