Anchorage· Matia· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Rolfe Cove (Matia Island)
48° 44.9′ N · 122° 50.7′ W
A tiny rock-walled cove on the north-west side of Matia Island, with a short state park dock and two buoys. Most of the island is a national wildlife refuge, so the visit is about the quiet loop trail through old forest and the birdlife.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM cove. 128 ft dock ($1 per foot) and buoys; room is very tight. NOAA station PCT2086 (0.8 mile west of Matia) gives current predictions. Only Rolfe Cove, the six-site campground, the loop trail and the beaches are open: the rest of the island is closed to protect wildlife. No potable water (the Coast Pilot still lists water; State Parks says none), no garbage service, no dogs and no fires at any time. Do not try to pass between Matia and Puffin Island (reef). State Parks moorage (2025 rates, still posted in 2026): buoys $23 a night, docks $1 per foot ($23 minimum), charged from 1 pm to 8 am all year. Self-register and pay on arrival, rafted boats included; phone registration is posted at the buoys. An annual State Parks moorage permit ($7 per foot, $80 minimum) covers docks and buoys. Contact 360-376-2073.
Best for
Small-boat overnight and a forest walk
Season
May-Sep; exposed in strong westerlies
Nearby
- Echo Bay (Sucia Island)2 NM away
- Fossil Bay (Sucia Island)2.1 NM away
- Shallow Bay (Sucia Island)3 NM away
- Eastsound Groceries (Orcas Island)4 NM away
- Clark Island Marine State Park (Clark Island)4.1 NM away
- Mount Constitution, Moran State Park (Orcas Island)4.3 NM away
- Eastsound and Fishing Bay Anchorage (Orcas Island)4.4 NM away
- Active Cove (Patos Island)5.3 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).