The islands are served by the Washington State Ferry terminal in Anacortes. By car, take I-5 to the Burlington exit (exit 230), travel west on Highway 20 to Anacortes and follow the signs to the ferry terminal.
Ferries
Washington State Ferries
(888) 808‑7977
www.takeaferry.com
Getting here is half the fun aboard a Washington State Ferry and reservations are now available online to help make trip planning easier and more predictable.
Parking is available at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal where cars can be left behind and passengers can just walk on the ferry. There are 1,265 spaces in three parking lots. Pay parking is in effect at the Anacortes Terminal. Call (206) 729‑0241 for more information on parking. For weekend service between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., call (360) 239‑7397.
The Washington State Ferries make two daily trips from Anacortes to Sidney, B.C., during the summer months. Reservations for the Sidney trip are encouraged and can be made by calling (800) 808‑7977. Reservations are recommended, especially from May through September and for holiday weekends.
To help plan your trip, visit www.takeaferry.com. From there you can also find more information about Washington State Ferry terminals, including addresses and directions, ferry cams, amenities and ADA information to make your trip go more smoothly. Web cameras are also available to view most ferry lines. You’ll need to make two reservations – one coming to the islands (west bound) and one leaving the islands (east bound) if you’re visiting Orcas or San Juan islands. The system will prompt you to make a round-trip reservation. (Lopez and Shaw islands only have west-bound reservations.)
If you can’t get a reservation on your desired day or sailing, reservations are released in three tiers to accommodate long- and short-term planning by visitors and residents.
- The first 30% are released two months before the start of each of the four seasonal sailing schedules, for all sailings during that season, meaning that these reservations may be available up to five months in advance.
- The second 30% are released two weeks prior to the specific sailing date.
- The third 30% are released two days prior to the specific sailing date.
Each tier release of space opens online and by phone at 7 a.m. The remaining 10% on each sailing is set aside for those without reservations, emergency vehicles and customers with medical documentation.
You must check in at the toll booth at least 30 minutes ahead of your sailing time or you will lose your reservation and will travel standby. It is recommended that you arrive in line for your reserved sailing 45-90 minutes in advance of the sailing departure time due to possible long lines, staging requirements and loading time. Bring your printed reservation sheet with barcode for easy scanning.
There is no extra charge for a reservation, however, to secure a reservation you must provide a debit or credit card which will only be charged $10 if you are a no-show. Ferry tickets are purchased separately at the Anacortes terminal or online. Tickets are round trip, although be sure to make two reservations – one coming and one leaving the islands, as mentioned above.
There are several sailings each day to and from each of the four islands, which almost assures that you’ll get your first, second or third choice of sailing time with a reservation.
In the event that a sailing is canceled, Washington State Ferries will communicate the cancellation(s) via travel alerts to your mobile phone or email address you submitted when you made the reservation. Those who choose to travel will still be prioritized once service is reinstated. If you choose not to travel, you won’t be charged a no-show fee.
Walk-ons don’t need a reservation. You can leave your vehicle at the Anacortes terminal and walk on the ferry with your luggage and/or bicycle or kayak. You’ll find parking rates and a variety of island transportation options, including a seasonal transit bus and car, bicycle and moped rentals. If you’re headed to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, the ferry arrives within easy walking distance to activities, attractions, lodging, dining and shopping. If you’re headed to Orcas Island or Lopez Island (or somewhere other than Friday Harbor on San Juan Island), you’ll want to check into transportation options.
Airport shuttle
When traveling from Sea-Tac Airport to Anacortes, there is a shuttle from Sea-Tac Airport to Washington Ferry, Anacortes. For schedule and fare information call (866) 235‑5247, or check online at Bellair Airporter
www.airporter.com.
By plane
Kenmore Air
(866) 435‑9524
www.kenmoreair.com
Choice of several daily flights direct to Friday Harbor airports from various Seattle-area locations.
Friday Harbor Seaplanes
(425) 277‑1590
www.fridayharborseaplanes.com
San Juan Airlines
(800) 874‑4434
sanjuanairlines.com
Flies from Anacortes and Bellingham.
Westwind Aviation
(360) 378‑6991
www.westwindav.com
Provides on-demand air charter services to the San Juans from anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.
If you are traveling on a private plane, The Port of Friday Airport has a 3,400 feet by 75 feet runway, 12,500 pound weight limit and 45 spaces for guest aircraft.
Boating information
Port of Friday Harbor
(360) 378‑2688
Roche Harbor Resort & Marina
(360) 378‑2155
CAMPING INFORMATION
San Juan County Park
(360) 378‑8420
Lakedale Resort
(360) 378‑2350
RV Parking/San Juan
County Fair
(360) 378-4310