Re: [Paddlewise] Taking the Ferry from Anacortes, Wa.

On Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 9:43 PM, Bradford R. Crain <crainb_at_pdx.edu> wrote:

> A couple of questions about taking the Washington State ferry from
> Anacortes, Wa. to Shaw Island in the American San Juans:
>
> Can reservations be made?
>

Currently reservations are taken only for two routes: One is the
International route between Anacortes and Sydney, BC which, coincidentally,
also calls at other islands in the US San Juan chain. Reservations for those
islands are not being taken unless the passengers are headed to BC.

The only other ferry with a reservation system is between Coupeville, WA (on
Whidbey Island) and Port Townsend, WA. This is reservations ONLY so you must
have a reservation in order to have any hope of traveling on this route.
Last I heard most of them are taken. There are land routes to Port Townsend
as well as other ferries (Edmonds is one) that you can take without a
reservation which will get you relatively close to Port Townsend.

So.... no... you cannot make reservations between Anacortes and any of the
San Juan Island terminals.

Here is a link to the reservations information:
https://business.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/reservations/


>
> Is it better to buy a ticket online, in advance, or just show up at
> the toll booth at the ferry terminal?
>

You are going to have to wait in line to get onto a ferry no matter what so
you might as well just buy your ticket at the kiosk when entering the
terminal at Anacortes.


> Is there any point in bringing a passport, if we're not leaving the US?
>

Nope.

>
> We'll be going in September. Any information is welcome.
>

Not all ferries stop at all islands and Shaw Island is one of the most
likely terminals to be skipped by any given departure from Anacortes so be
sure you know that the ferry you are in line for is going to Shaw and not,
for instance, directly to Friday Harbor.

Here is a link to the summer schedule:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedule/ScheduleDetailByRoute.aspx?route=ana-sj
(I do not know when the Fall schedule takes effect... snoop around their
website).

Although traffic to (and from) the San Juan Islands slows considerably after
Labor Day, you are still very likely to have to watch at least one ferry to
your destination leave you still sitting in your car at the Anacortes
terminal. Bring a book. Maximum traffic is on Friday afternoon outbound and
on Sunday afternoon inbound. If you travel on any weekday other than Friday
you are less likely to have to miss a ferry. I have actually arrived at the
terminal, bought a ticket, and driven straight onto the ferry; but it's
unusual.

There is a phone number you can contact when you are enroute to Anacortes to
check on ferry waiting times: 1-888-808-7977 (inside Washington state only).

You can check waiting times using the Internet (or your smart phone/PDA) at:


http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/commuter_updates/index.cfm?fuseaction=wait_times

It doesn't take long to get from Anacortes to Shaw Island so be prepared to
get back down to your car from the passenger areas.

For the rest of the Paddlewisers: These ferry trips take passengers through
one of the most beautiful areas in the USA and if you are visiting the
Seattle area I encourage you to take a day and make the trip to Friday
Harbor just for the experience. You can also rent kayaks in Friday Harbor or
even book a guided tour of the area by kayak.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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