- Hop into a kayak and paddle over to Cypress Island for a true Salish Sea experience away from the crowds. The island is the largest relatively undeveloped land mass in the San Juan archipelago. With an extensive network of hiking trails and two campgrounds, much of this island is accessible to visitors. Day-use areas with names like Smugglers Cove and Secret Harbor promise a peaceful afternoon by the beach. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has designated portions of Cypress Island as a Natural Resources Conservation Area and Natural Area Preserve, which collectively protect 6,000 acres of diverse ecosystems such as forest, wetland, grassland, shoreline, and tidelands. The unique geology here is critical to these ecosystems, so leave your kayak behind and pay attention to the rocks and soil underneath your feet as you make the 6-mile trek across the island.