Other Ways Over

By Boat or Kayak

For boaters and paddlers who'd rather make their own crossing.

Other Ways Over

Beyond the ferry.

The ferry isn't the only way to reach Anderson Island. Experienced boaters bring their own vessels, and paddlers cross from Steilacoom or Nisqually Reach.

Both options are realistic for people who know the South Sound, but neither is casual. There's no public boat ramp on the island, no commercial moorage, and the channel between the mainland and Anderson has real currents. The notes below are a starting point - not a substitute for knowing the water.

Boats moored at Riviera Marina at sunset, Anderson Island

By Boat

Bring your own boat.

There is no public boat ramp on Anderson Island. Vessel access is essentially limited to two formal options plus an informal third one. Oro Bay, on the east side, is the most boat-friendly anchorage on the island - sheltered and deep enough for most cruising boats.

Riviera Marina

The Riviera Community Club operates a small seasonal marina on the south end of the island. Moorage is available to RCC members and their registered guests only.

Oro Bay Yacht Club

A private club based in Oro Bay. Membership is restricted to Anderson Island property owners and residents. OBYC has reciprocal moorage with 60+ yacht clubs across the US and Canada, so members of those clubs can tie up at Oro Bay when visiting. orobayyc.org

Anchoring

If you're visiting someone with a private waterfront, anchoring in a sheltered cove and coming ashore by dinghy is a workable option. Coordinate with your host - all shoreline below the high tide line is public, but the upland is private.

By Kayak

Paddling over.

Anderson Island sits about 10 miles southwest of Tacoma...

Where to put in

The most common launch is from Steilacoom...

Where to land

Andy's Marine Park, on the west side of the island...

Worth Knowing

Carlson Cove campsite

Andy's Marine Park has a Washington Water Trails Association campsite...

Reservation only, through WWTA...

Know the Water

Tides, currents, and weather.

The South Sound has semi-diurnal tides with two highs and two lows in roughly 25 hours. Spring tide ranges in Cormorant Passage - the channel between Steilacoom and Anderson Island - can hit 13 to 15 feet. That's real current through the channel, especially around peak ebb and flood.

Check tides and wind before you head out. The NOAA Steilacoom station (Cormorant Passage, ID 9446714) is the reference for this stretch of water: NOAA tide predictions →

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