Hiking Sucia Island: A Guide to a San Juan Island Gem

Published:  08/26/2024

With its diverse terrain, stunning coastal views, rich wildlife, and interesting geology, hiking Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands offers a truly unforgettable experience. 

Sucia Island, renowned worldwide as a top boating destination, offers both nearly fifteen miles of pristine shoreline and ten miles of well-maintained hiking trails. Often hailed as the "crown jewel" of Washington State's marine park system, this exceptional island is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts who boat there. 

Sucia has six corners to explore via roads and trails, and offers stunning views of madronas, bluffs, and abundant wildlife. Explore its diverse and interesting geographical landscape on foot with a trail system that winds through panoramic overlooks, secluded bays, and charming coves. The island's unique shape, resembling a hand with outstretched fingers, allows for numerous out-and-back hiking options, creating a network of trails to suit different fitness levels and interests.

Sucia is a wildlife haven, with otters, seals, shorebirds, and excellent tide pooling opportunities. Keep an eye out for playful seals, otters, whales, Stellar seals, sea stars, jellyfish and a variety of bird species. Explore the island's sandstone rock formations, with their interesting shapes and gently sloping curves, and discover hidden coves, tide pools, and marine life at low tide. 

Sucia Island is a geological marvel, shaped by millions of years of tectonic activity and erosion. The island is primarily composed of sandstone, a sedimentary rock formed from compacted sand. This sandstone has been sculpted over time by wind, water, and ice, resulting in unique geological features such as honeycomb weathering, mushroom rocks, and sea caves.

The island's formation is a result of a syncline, a downward fold in rock layers. This folding has created a horseshoe-shaped island with a diverse landscape, including beaches, bluffs, and forests. The island's geological history is evident in the abundance of marine fossils found in Fossil Bay, which date back millions of years.

This guide will help you plan your adventure and explore all that this island has to offer. 

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Essential Gear and Preparation

Map of Sucia Island Hikes

• Sturdy hiking boots or shoes: The terrain can be uneven, especially near the coast.
• Waterproof jacket and pants: The Pacific Northwest weather can be unpredictable.
• Layers: Dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures.
• Sunscreen and hat: Protect yourself from the sun, especially on clear days.
• Snacks and water: Stay hydrated and fueled during your hikes.
• Map:  Although trails are well-marked, a map can be helpful. You can find several information centers with a map or refer to the one here.
• Tide tables: If you plan to explore the shoreline, tidepools and leave your dinghy on shore, check tide times to avoid getting stranded.

Sucia Island Top Hiking Trails

The sandstone that make up the island's cliffs has worn away forming unique formations.

Immerse yourself in breathtaking views of the open water throughout your journey! While you can create countless hiking loops by combining different trails, here are some of the most popular options:

Sucia Island Loop

•  Distance: 4.5 miles | 1:45 minutes 
•  Difficulty: Moderate
•  Highlights: Offers a comprehensive overview of the island, with stunning views of the Strait of Georgia and the San Juan Islands.

 Ewing Cove Trail

•  Distance: 2.4 miles | 50 minutes
•  Difficulty: Moderate, some narrow, steep bluffs
•  Highlights: Leads to the secluded Ewing Cove, a perfect spot for picnicking and relaxing. Hike along a high bluff (with some steep drop-offs), looking right down into Echo Bay. There is a restroom near north Echo Bay and on the north end of the Ewing beach.

Lawson Bluffs Trail

•  Distance: 2.5 miles | 55 minutes 
•  Difficulty: Easy
•  Highlights: Provides access to beautiful viewpoints and offers a gentle hike for all ages. In the center of the island at Echo Bay Camp there are restrooms. 

China Caves Trail
China Caves are a series of sea caves located on the western side of Sucia Island, near Echo Bay. The caves are accessible by hiking along the coast from Fossil Bay or Shallow Bay. 

The China Caves are likely the result of erosion caused by waves, tides, and weathering. The soft sandstone rock that makes up the island's cliffs has been gradually worn away, forming unique cave formations.   

There are historical accounts of the caves being used by smugglers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is believed that the caves provided a hidden location for smuggling Chinese laborers and other contraband. However, these stories are largely anecdotal and difficult to verify.

Johnson Point Trail 

•  Distance: 2.5 miles | 2 to 3 hours
•  Difficulty: Moderate, some narrow, steep bluffs
•  Highlights: Offers a variety of landscapes, and breathtaking panoramic views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Hike through dense forests, climb rocky bluffs, and stroll along sandy beaches. 

Shallow Bay 

A hike that partially takes you along beach on Shallow Bay, where at low tide it is possible to walk north or south then up away from the beach in a variety of loops. 
Just inland from Shallow Bay's south shore, you'll find a haunting sight: a stand of dead cedar trees, a "ghost forest". Settlers blocked the natural outflow of a nearby stream to create a pond for freshwater. The resulting flooding drowned the cedar trees.

Ev Henry Point 

•  Distance: 2.5 miles | 2 to 3 hours
•  Difficulty: Moderate, some narrow, steep bluffs
•  Highlights: If you take the trail to the east, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the surrounding islands. The trail is a moderate hike that takes you through a mix of forest, rocky bluffs, and sandy beaches. There are restrooms in Fossil Bay. There is also a shorter South Ev Henry trail that takes you west and overlooks Fox Cove and Little Sucia Island. 

Wiggins Head Trail 
Begins in the Snoring Bay Camp area and can be hiked NW or SE to a point. 

Restrooms on Sucia Island

(some listed here are not on the map) 
Ewing Cove Camp 
Echo Bay North 
Echo Bay Camp 
Fossil Bay 
Shallow Bay 

Tips for Hiking Sucia Island

Sucia Island is a special place. By following these guidelines, you can help preserve its natural beauty for future generations.

•  Respect wildlife: Observe from a distance and avoid disturbing animals.
•  Practice Leave No Trace principles: Pack out all your trash.
•  Check weather conditions: Be prepared for changing weather.
•  Be aware of tides: If you plan to explore the shoreline, check tide times.
•  Do not remove any fossils you may find. 

Resources about Hiking Sucia Island to Enrich Your Visit

Map of Sucia Island showing geology

The island's name comes from Spanish Captain Francisco de Eliza's 1791 map, which labeled it "Isla Sucia". The word "sucia" means "dirty" in Spanish, or "foul" in a nautical context, because the shore was thought to be dangerous due to hidden rocks and reefs. The island's isolated bays and coves were once used by the Lummi Indians for seal hunting.

Sucia Island and several smaller island comprise the “Sucia group.” The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired about one-third of the island in 1952. Later, developers wanted to parcel up the remainder of the island into vacation lots. Seattle yachtsman Ev Henry spearheaded a drive to raise money to purchase the island from developers. One of the trails on the island is named after him. 

https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/sucia-island-marine-state-park
https://www.nps.gov/places/sucia-island-marine-state-park.htm

Geology of Sucia Island
https://wa100.dnr.wa.gov/puget-lowland/sucia-island
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282882420_Sucia_Island_The_Geologic_Story
https://www.aspireadventurerunning.com/the-dynamic-geology-of-sucia-island/

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