Getting here is half the fun!
There are several modes of transportation to Orcas Island and the beautiful San Juan Islands, in addition to the popular Washington State Ferries. Visitors can also come by private boat, airplane or seaplane (including Kenmore Air) directly from several locations listed below, depending on the season. No matter how you get here, the scenery is spectacular and getting here is half the fun!
If you are coming by Washington State Ferry, your ticket is good for a round trip — you only pay going west bound. We recommend you have your vehicle in the ferry line at least one hour ahead of sailing during fall, winter and spring, and one and a half to two hours ahead during summer and holidays. Call or email the Chamber if you have any questions (360-376-2273; info@orcasislandchamber.com).
Directions to the Washington State Ferries Anacortes Terminal: If you are coming by car and taking a Washington State Ferry, the mainland terminal which serves the San Juans is located in Anacortes, Washington, 80 miles northwest of Seattle. Follow Interstate highway I-5 north from Seattle, take Exit 230 and follow Highway 20 west to Anacortes. Once you are in Anacortes, take a left on 12th Street (Safeway will be on the right), then follow the signs to the ferry terminal and ticketing booths.
Wireless internet service is now available at the Washington State Ferries terminal in Anacortes. The service is available through Boingo, the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots. Once you are parked in the ferry line or you’re inside the terminal area, select the wireless network “Boingo Hotspot” and launch your internet browser.
Traveling Between the Islands: Visitors wanting to island hop can take the inter-island Washington State Ferries or can fly aboard Kenmore Air or San Juan Airlines. There are also several inter-island water taxis. For more information call our Visitor Information Center at 360-376-2273.
From Seattle or SeaTac Airport:
Kenmore Air provides land and seaplanes daily direct, scheduled flights from Lake Union, Lake Washington, and Boeing Field/King County Airport, or Kenmore Air, 1-800-543-9595. They provide free shuttle service between SeaTac and their terminals.
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
Amtrak provides daily service from King Street Train Station via Amtrak to Mt. Vernon, and “Catch-A-Train” will arrange for a shuttle to the Anacortes ferry terminal, www.catch-a-train.com or 1-800-457-3549
Greyhound Bus Lines provides service from Seattle to Mt. Vernon, http://www.greyhound.com/, 800-231-2222 or 360-336-5111; then you must transfer to the Skagit Transit bus system, http://www.skat.org/ or 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)
From Anacortes:
Washington State Ferries provide over a dozen sailings each day, for walk-on and drive-on passengers, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977. Visit their website for schedules, fares and parking information.
San Juan Airlines provides daily scheduled flights, http://www.sanjuanairlines.com/ or 1-800-874-4434
From Bellingham:
San Juan Airlines provides daily, scheduled flights, http://www.sanjuanairlines.com/ or 1-800-874-4434
From Port Angeles:
Kenmore Air provides charter service, http://www.kenmoreair.com/ or 1-800-874-4434
From Port Townsend:
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, http://www.sanjuanairlines.com/ or 1-800-874-4434
From Victoria, B.C..:
Passports are required for travel between the U.S. and Canada beginning June 1, 2009.
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, http://www.sanjuanairlines.com/ or 1-800-874-4434
Washington State Ferries (WSF) provides April-December sailings from nearby Sidney, B.C., for walk-on and drive-on passengers, www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977. Visit their website for schedules, fares and parking information. (If you would like to go to Victoria from the San Juan Islands, in most cases you will need to spend at least one night there due to the ferry schedule. However, check the WSF website for schedule information or call our office for assistance at 888-468-3701 x1.)
From Vancouver, B.C.:
Passports are required for travel between the U.S. and Canada beginning June 1, 2009.
B.C. Ferries provide daily service from Tsawwassen, B.C. (near Vancouver) to Swartz Bay, B.C. (north of Victoria), http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/, 888-223-3779 or 250-386-3431. In nearby Sidney, board a Washington State Ferry to Friday Harbor, then on to Orcas Island.
Amtrak provides daily service from Pacific Central Train Station via Amtrak and Washington State Ferries, www.catch-a-train.com/page2.html or 1-800-457-3549
San Juan Airlines provides charter service, http://www.sanjuanairlines.com/ or 1-800-874-4434