WOW! Getting Here is Really Half the Fun!
Washington State Ferries
1. The Terminal which serves the San Juan’s is located in Anacortes 80 miles NW of Seattle (See Driving Routes Below)
2. Washington State Ferries provide 5-6 sailings to Orcas Island each day, for walk-on and drive-on passengers. Note that each scheduled ferry may not visit every island so make sure you are in line for a ferry bound for Orcas Island
3. Ferry Schedules Change Seasonally Check Ferry Schedule -- find Anacortes to Orcas Route
4. Reservations are Available for this Route and are Highly Recommended. Make Reservations Now .
Choose GUEST USER. Click on Anacortes to Orcas.
Reservations are made available as follows:
30% released 2 months prior to season schedule;
30% released 2 weeks prior to sailing;
30% released 2 days prior to sailing.
10% reserved for Drive On customers
**if reservation not available today, mark release dates on your calendar, wake early (for best times).
**we suggest making any available reservation for your date of travel; changing a reservation is easier than making a reservation for the first time. Check reservation site often, Chances for making changes are good.
5. Your ticket is good for a round trip — you only pay going westbound.
6. If coming with car, we recommend you have your vehicle in the ferry line at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled sailing time and as much as 90 minutes prior to scheduled sailing time weekends, summer and holidays (even with reservation).
7. Remember the time designated on the schedule is departure time. Cars will be loaded 15-20 minutes prior to sailing. (There is a walk on beach at the landing so you may want to calculate in time for exploring this pretty spot).
8. Walk on passengers should be at the terminal about 30 minutes prior to departure time.
From Bellinham Airport: Follow I-5 South. 2-7 Same as above.
Driving Directions to Anacortes Ferry Landing
From Seattle or Sea-Tac (Most Direct Route)
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From Sea-Tac Airport or Seattle, Follow interstate I-5 North.
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Exit 230 and follow Highway 20 west to Anacortes.
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Once you are in Anacortes, take a left on 12th Street (Safeway market will be on the right)
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then follow the signs to the ferry terminal and ticketing booths (just 5 minutes away).
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Buy your ticket and tell them you want to go to ORCAS ISLAND
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Read a Good book, walk down to the beach (we recommend the walk to Ship's Harbor), nap.
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Enjoy the ferry ride -- it is worth the wait.
Alternate Scenic Route from Seattle (10 min longer)
Although this route will take you about 10 minutes longer, your vacation will start hours earlier since his route will take you through some very calming bucolic scenery.
1. Head north on I-5 N toward Exit 221
2. Take exit 221 for WA-534 E toward Lake McMurray (0.2 mi)
3. Turn left onto WA-534 W/​Pioneer Hwy. Follow Pioneer Hwy (0.3 mi)
4. Turn right onto Fir Island Rd (3.8 mi)
5. Turn right onto Browns Slough Rd/​Fir Island Rd (1.3 mi)
6. Turn left onto Best Rd (1.3 mi)
7. Slight left onto Rexville Grange Rd (121 ft), continue straight onto Best Rd (5.1 mi)
8. Turn left onto State Route 20 W/​WA-20 W/​Memorial Hwy, follow 20 W/WA-20 (6.6 mi)
9. Continue onto WA-20 Spur W (2.7 mi)
11. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Commercial Ave (1.3 mi)
12. Turn left onto 12th St (1.1 mi), Continue onto Oakes Ave (2.0 mi) and make a slight right onto Ferry Terminal Rd. (0.6 mi)
Shuttle and Bus Service
Bellair Airporter Shuttle provides daily bus service from SeaTac and downtown Seattle to the Anacortes ferry terminal, http://www.airporter.com/ or 1-866-235-5247
Greyhound Bus Lines provides service from Seattle to Mt. Vernon. 800-231-2222 or 360-336-5111. Once in Mt. Vernon you must transfer to the Skagit Transit bus system (360-757-4433). From the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Mt. Vernon catch the Number 208 bus to the Cascade Mall where you will transfer to the 410 route to the Anacortes ferry terminal (410 not available Saturday and Sunday)
Flying in on a Small Plane
Depending on the number in your party and the time you have to spend in the islands, this can be a relatively inexpensive option. If you are of the ilk, "time is money," the flight to the islands is worth every dollar. No driving, no waiting, and the birdseye views over the islands are priceless!. Landing on the water with a Kenmore Float Plane or getting together to charter a flight with San Juan Airlines (sometimes, having the plane all to yourself--nice!)
Kenmore Air provides land and seaplanes, with daily direct, scheduled flights from Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Boeing Field/King County Airport. Visit Kenmore Air, 1-800-543-9595. They provide free shuttle service between SeaTac and their terminals.
San Juan Airlines provides daily scheduled flights from Bellingham and Anacortes1-800-874-4434. They also have a fleet of planes for charter (3 passenger rates available).
Getting Here is Half the Fun
For Information on Travel from Victoria, BC; Vancouver BC; Port Townsend, and Environs: Go to Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce. They have details and phone numbers and links.
Call 360-376-2273
Write: info@orcasislandchamber.com
Have a Safe Journey. We look forward to your visit!
Nanae's thoughts on Getting Here
Most people rent a car in Seattle, drive up to Anacortes and ride the ferry here.
Washington State is beautiful and the drive (if you choose wisely) can be very scenic and memorable.
My recommendation for friends and family: (Saves time and can be more relaxing)
1. Fly into Seattle.
2. Reserve a Kenmore Airline flight from Boeing Field to Orcas Island. (Shuttle from Sea-Tac to Boeing Field available—if 2 guests (Taxi might be more economical)
OR for about the same price. Taxi (Uber) to Lake Union and take a Float Plane to Orcas Island (my sister and brother are doing this option this August.
(the only limiting factor: Kenmore (Land-Boeing Field allows 75lbs of luggage per person (1 bag less than 50 lbs and a 2nd for the remainder),
while the float plane allows a total of 25 lbs per person (wear your heavy coat instead of packing it??). In either case the small planes fly low and the experience is wonderful.
3. Rent a car on island. Rental rates are fair.
4. Leave your rental car at ferry landing (they pick up anywhere) and board a ferry (free for Eastbound) for Anacortes. Take a shuttle back to the airport.
(Shuttle price is less than gas to Anacortes + price of car ticket on ferry).
If you can get your luggage down to 25 lbs, the Float Plane adventure is (I think true) less than the price of a tourist plane ride in the islands)
And since return (walk on) to the mainland requires no ticket (you get a free ride on the ferry (and that is wonderful)
Or you can cruise on the inter-island ferries (also free for foot passengers) while on island.