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

Thanks, Craig. This is exactly what I needed to know. We're hopeful
the rains will not come in September, but of course rain gear will
be brought along.

-- 
Bradford R. Crain

Quoting Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>:

> 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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