Travel/Ferries
Travel Note
Getting to Orcas/Reservations
You’ll need to reserve both the ferry there and going back: Anacortes to Orcas (westbound) Orcas to Anacortes (eastbound) (Walk-on passengers don’t need one, but you’ll need a plan for someone to pick you up.) Reservations follow the 2-2-2 system and open in waves: April 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT – 30% of all summer reservations are released for sailings from June 15 through September 20 (this includes July 10th, 11th and 12th). There will be a virtual waiting room due to high demand, which means you'll get a virtual spot in line to make your reservations. Here’s how it works: *Pre-queue: Before reservations open, early visitors will enter a virtual holding area called the pre-queue. This reduces website strain and ensures a smoother experience for all users. Please note that the pre-queue will be activated 30 minutes prior to the reservation release at 9:30 a.m. Customers needing to make, change, or cancel reservations for the current summer schedule are advised to complete their transactions before 9:30 a.m. or later in the afternoon to avoid waiting with those making reservations for the fall schedule. *Countdown timer: While in the pre-queue, you will see a countdown timer showing how much time is left until reservations open. *Randomized entry: When reservations open, everyone in the pre-queue will be randomly assigned a position in the waiting room, giving all early visitors a fair chance. *First-come, first-served: Visitors who arrive after reservations open will be placed in line on a first come, first served basis. You will see your place in line and the estimated wait time. *Email notification: You can opt to receive an email notification with a link to your place in line. This allows you to leave the site and return when it’s your turn. You can also monitor your estimated wait time from another device or location if needed. We recommend using the email notification option to ensure you always have a way back to your place in line.
Travel Note
Ferry Reservations cont.
2 weeks before your sailing date at 7:00 a.m. PT – another 30% of spots open (for July 10th, this is June 26th, July 11th, June 27th, etc.). 2 days before your sailing at 7:00 a.m. PT – final 30% of spots open (for July 10th, this is July 8th, etc.). Getting a reservation this late is risky and not recommended. 90% of vehicle space is available to reserve. 10% is held for emergency and standby vehicles. Extra standby space may open due to no-shows, but during service disruptions, reservations are prioritized and new reservations may be unavailable. Book here: https://secureapps.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/reservations/vehicle/Mobile/MobileDefault.aspx A few important notes: The dollar amount shown when reserving is a no-show fee, not the ferry fare. You’ll only be charged if you miss your reservation. You pay the actual fare when you arrive at the terminal, which is by passenger and car. Fares are round-trip and only charged westbound. You can change or cancel your reservation up to 5:00 p.m. the day before your trip at no charge. Click the 'View' button to see the ferry schedule.
Travel Note
Making a Ferry Reservation
We recommend you get to the Anacortes ferry terminal 45 minutes before your reservation. The ferry is around an hour, plus an additional 15 min drive into Eastsound from the ferry landing. For Thursday travel, feel free to make any reservation. Keep in mind that you must be at the ferry landing at least 30 minutes prior to your reservation time, or else you forfeit the reservation. For Friday travel, any ferry reservation is fine, if you want to come early to help, it is greatly appreciated! For Saturday travel, the latest reservation you should consider is the 12:30, arriving to Orcas at 1:45. For returning home, any Sunday reservation is great. You can consider staying in Anacortes and taking the 9:35 or 10:30 ferry back on Saturday night. Click the 'View' button to make a ferry reservation.
Travel Note
Getting to the Ferry
The Anacortes Ferry Terminal is 90 minutes from Seattle with no traffic. It is 2 hours away from Sea-Tac, no traffic. When traveling from Sea-Tac Airport to Anacortes there is a shuttle from Sea-Tac Airport to our Anacortes Dock. For schedule and fare information call 1-866-235-5247 or check Bellair Airporter (http://www.airporter.com/). Island Airporter is another service that provides transportation from Sea-Tac Airport to Friday Harbor. To contact them for fare and schedule information, call (360) 378-7438 or check Island Airporter (https://www.islandairporter.com/). Once at the ferry terminal in Anacortes, you will drive up to the ferry booth, tell them your reservation name and time and purchase your tickets. You'll then drive up to a second booth where you will present your receipt and be directed to a holding line. Pay attention to announcements for delays, you can see real time updates on the link below or here (https://wsdot.com/ferries/vesselwatch/default.aspx). Bring water and snacks in the event of delays, there are lovely walking paths on the beach near the terminal. Refreshments are available from 6am to 6pm. There are restrooms there. Click the 'View' button for complete Anacortes Ferry terminal details.