Location
Key Information
| 0.52 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 0.96 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: WDPA (Unmodified)
2.0
February 2025
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Purpose
To protect a remote and ecologically vital archipelago off the Olympic Coast, encompassing more than 600 islands, rocks, and reefs within the Washington Islands National Wildlife Refuges. Home to over 70% of Washington’s seabird populations and critical haul-out sites for marine mammals such as sea otters, Steller sea lions, and northern elephant seals, this designated wilderness ensures the preservation of fragile nesting and resting habitats by remaining closed to public entry year-round, with a 500-foot voluntary watercraft closure to minimize human disturbance.
Species of Concern: Common Murre (Uria aalge); Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata); Brandt's Cormorant (Urile penicillatus); Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata); Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris); Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina); Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus); California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus); Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
Washington Islands Wilderness is closed to public entry year round and waters within 500 feet are designated as a voluntary closure to all watercraft.
Allowed
None.