Getting to the island

The most popular way to visit Friday Harbor is by ferry. You can walk on or bring your vehicle.

Take Interstate 5 north 65 miles from Seattle to Exit 230 at Burlington, and follow state Route 20 west to the ferry terminal in Anacortes. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for the drive.

If you're walking or biking onto the ferry, arrive in plenty of time to find parking and to get your tickets before boarding.

Contact Washington State Ferries (206-464-6400 or 800-84-FERRY) for ferry schedules, or see Washington State Ferries from Anacortes, Washington or Sidney, British Columbia for online schedules and fares. To see the route map, click here. You can have a schedule sent by postal service by filling in the info here.

The Victoria Express is a fun way to come to Friday Harbor from Victoria or Port Angeles. Ask them about an overnight package with the Discovery Inn.

The Sea-Tac Anacortes Airporter provides van service from Sea-Tac Airport to the ferry terminal in Anacortes. For reservations call 1-800-235-5247 within Washington, Alaska or British Columbia, 1-800-423-4219 for all other states and provinces.

You might want to use your own vessel. The Port of Friday Harbor Marina has space for 150 visiting boats, ranging in size from dinghies to 150 feet. Upon entering the harbor, please call the Harbormaster on VHF 66A for a slip assignment. A limited number of 30 and 40 foot slips can be reserved in advance by calling 360-378-2688. The Marina does not have mooring buoys, but there are excellent anchoring areas north and south of the Marina in any depth of water with a soft mud bottom.

You can fly in commercially via San Juan Airlines (1-800-874-4434), by seaplane from Kenmore Air (1-800-543-9595), or N.W. Seaplanes (800 690-0086).

You may fly into our local Airport (360-378-4724) on your own private plane. Our airport has a 3400 by 75 foot runway, with a 12,500 pound weight limit, and 45 spaces for guest aircraft.