The Washington State Ferry system requires vehicle reservations for all sailings to Orcas Island from Anacortes. You’ll also need reservations for your return trip.
Reservations are available 2 months prior to your intended sailing date, with more slots opening 2 weeks and then 2 days prior to the date (and some reservations also open up in the day before departure as people cancel before the 24-hour window closes).
Reserve online at Washington State Ferries or by phone at 206-464-6400. Your reservation is at no charge but there is a no-show fee of $16 (have to cancel 24 hours before sailing time). You will still need to pay for your ferry ticket when you arrive at the ticket booth (there is a charge going TO Orcas, but no charge returning FROM Orcas).
Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled departure time to ensure your reservation is held.
The approximate travel time from Anacortes to Orcas is 1 hour.
If you want to leave. your car in Anacortes you can do so without cost at the following: — Skagit “Park and Ride” lots are all free to the public and Marches Point is the closest to the Anacortes ferry. If you want to stay for more than 72 hours you should call (360-757-4433) and give them your license plate number and name. A bus from the Park and Ride to the ferry runs 40 minutes past the hour every hour, takes 20 minutes, and takes two bikes.
Getting to Orcas without a car
You can walk on to the ferry at Anacortes (no reservation required for walk-ons) and be picked up by Indralaya at the Orcas ferry terminal.
Getting to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal
Public Transportation. Public transportation to the ferry terminal is available from surrounding towns (see local and regional transportation systems); and there is a transport service from Sea-Tac airport
Biking. If you are a biker, you can drive to Anacortes, park your car, and take your bike onto the ferry. See above for the Skagit Park and Ride.
If you park at the Skagit lot, you can ride to the ferry in about half an hour. After landing at Orcas, the ride to Indralaya is about an hour.
Reservations are not necessary for walk-on passengers.
