Decatur Island is a very beautiful island, located about 70 miles north of Seattle…and 5 nautical miles from Anacortes. Very rural with narrow tree-lined roads, Decatur Island is home to about 55 full-time residents and 300-500 part-timers. Although it’s located off-the-grid, it’s certainly not out of touch with the rest of the world. Two water taxis provide regular service to the island and four different airlines fly into the island on a charter basis. Underground utilities provide electricity, phones and high speed internet service.
Is it expensive to build on the island?
All materials come to the island by barge so additional transportation costs will be incurred during the building process. Licensed contractors are available on island, including an excavation/concrete company, but subcontractors will be needed for electrical, plumbing and insulation. Most individuals plan on adding 25% to their cost estimate for the “Decatur Factor”. T
hese pictures show a cabin recently built at Southridge on Decatur Island. 
Decatur Island may be for you….If you want a rural environment, where nobody has to lock up cars or their home, you’ll love it here. Most residents are very independent but can be counted on to be “immediately there” in an emergency. The children enjoy freedoms that vanished long ago in a city environment…plus they learn how to clean a crab, spot an eagle, blow grass whistles, run a boat, catch cod and the fun of spotting a dragon in a cloud….
Article About Living on Decatur
Award-Winning Home on Decatur Island
Decatur Island School
Many architects and designers have built award-winning homes at Decatur Northwest and on other parts of the island. The island lifestyle often inspires the property owners to create a home that explores the “fun” side of living away from the city….
Are there any services on the island?
The island has a small store and a one-room school (k-8)
The store is currently closed and for sale but, in the past, had been open 5 days/week, in the summer, and had a large inventory of food, beer and wine, hardware supplies, gift items, video rentals and book exchange.
The school usually varies between 4 and 6 full-time students but currently has only one student. The school has been the center for many community activities including potlucks, Sunday afternoon craft days, art auctions and political forums. See pictures of the island and a calendar of ongoing events here. In the summer, the island has a community market day every Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Everyone is welcome to come share their produce, craft creations, recycled items and baked goods. It’s a very fun way to reconnect with each other and share the island “spirit”.
What do people do out there?
Most of the full-time residents are self-employed in either construction, fishing or real estate. However, there is also an editor, artist, teacher, retired flight attendant and mechanic on the island. Many families visit the island as part-time residents and the children have wonderful times exploring the island and enjoying the many water-related activities.
To live on the island, do you have to have a boat or a plane?
No…there are a number of airlines that offer charter service to the island and two passenger ferry companies: Paraclete Charters and Island Express Charters provide daily transportation on and off the island multiple times during the day. Many residents use these “water taxis” exclusively for their travel needs. Often, islanders state how fortunate they are to be able to travel to the island without having to endure long ferry lines to get here.
What about garbage and fuel?
Trash removal is the responsibility of each property owner. Most people recycle as much as possible and take their trash off-island regularly. Fuel can be purchased, in bulk, from Richardson Fuel or brought onto the island in 5 gal cans. The fuel barge comes to the island every 4-6 weeks.
Are there a lot of public lands?
No…almost all of the island is owned privately. There is a public boat ramp but no public dock. At the very south tip of the island there is some property, owned by San Juan Preservation Trust, that is very beautiful but the only access is by water. It’s a fun destination for kayakers and hikers to explore….
What is Decatur Shores?
Decatur Shores is a development on the south end of the island, built around a 2500′ airstrip, dock and 10 acre waterfront park. Many pilots love being able to fly into the island and enjoy their homes. There are a number of properties for sale that are perfect for people with planes. Decatur Shores property owners enjoy all the benefits of owning waterfront and have protective CCR’s which specify the type of development that can occur. Lots and roads are very rural in character and numerous green belt areas provide privacy and protection to the abundant island wildlife.
A number of Seattle professionals own homes at Decatur Northwest….what is that area?
Decatur Northwest is an unique development on the northwest corner of the island that has beautiful homesites, two sandy walk-out beaches, a deep-water dock, year-round caretakers, a private passenger ferry, community gardens, tennis courts and much more. It’s a very desireable community and many architects have won awards for the homes built here. To read more, click here.
How will I know if the island is right for me?
Come for a visit….Most people know right away and say it’s because the island just feels like “home”.
