Ferry Service and Schedule
Washington State Ferry Service (click link to the Ferry Schedule)
If you will be traveling by car take the Ferry at the Anacortes. Ferry schedules change each season so we recommend checking the schedule before arrival. You can contact them at 206-464-6400. Advanced Reservations are required for guests planning on visiting Victoria Canada.
Travel to the San Juans: The Washington State Ferry is the logistic “live blood” of the Islands. Islanders have learned and adopted certain behaviors around Ferry Schedules, as visitors to the islands, some key things to remember are:
1. Vehicle space on the ferries is apportioned to each of the islands we serve, so ferries making additional island stops may depart with empty space.
2. Peak travel times from Anacortes are Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
3. Peak travel times from the islands are Sunday all day and Monday mornings.
4. Posted speed limits on various Islands are strictly enforced.
Check the Washington State Ferry web site link above for up-to-date travel information.
Orcas Island Ferry to Sidney, BC (Victoria)
International Reservations: Vehicle reservations are recommended for travel to or from Sidney, BC. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance by calling 206‑464 6400 or 888-808-7977 (WA & BC).
International Travel: Visitors traveling to and from Canada are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canadian Immigration, and Canadian Customs. Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license as proof of identity, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, or a passport. Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but are a permanent resident, you must have an alien resident green card. Children under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult need proof of citizenship and a notarized letter from their parent or guardian giving permission to enter the U.S. or Canada.
Vehicles and baggage are subject to inspection. Articles you bring into either country are subject to being taxed.
Contacts: U.S. Customs and Border Protection: 360-293-2331
Canadian Customs: 604-535-9754 Sat Canadian Immigration: 604-535-5450
Per the current schedule (Spring 2009) there is one daily trip from the US Mainland (Anacortes, WA) to the Canadian Port at Sidney, BC. This route on boards vehicles from Orcas and San Juan Islands headed for Sidney as explained below.
Going to B.C. This Ferry sailing leaves Anacortes, WA at 7:45 am and parties going to Sidney must be ticketed and in line by 7:15am (30 min prior to sailing).
This Ferry follows the route for the San Juan Ferry, EXCEPT no vehicles are loaded for Orcas Island on this sailing. This Ferry on-loads Orcas Island vehicles bound for Sidney and sails at 8:40 am from Orcas Island for Friday Harbor in route to Sidney. The Ferry on-loads vehicles and departs Friday Harbor at 9:30 am Then arrives in Sidney at 10:30 am.
The total time from Orcas Island to Sidney (from Sailing to Arrival at Sidney is approximately
2 hrs 45 min.
Coming From B.C. This Ferry sailing leaves Sidney B.C. at 11:40 am and arrives in Friday Harbor approximately 1 hour later at 12:40 pm. Parties that are not going on to the US Mainland must disembark at Friday Harbor and clear Customs as Friday Harbor is the ONLY Port of Entry facility for the San Juan Islands. Once passengers and their vehicle have cleared customs they then board one of the inter island ferries that service the inter-island routes.
For Orcas Island per the current schedule the next ferry departing Friday Harbor bound for Orcas Island would be the 2:15 pm sailing arriving in Orcas Island about 2:50 pm about 40 minutes of travel time.
Please note that the ferry schedule DOES NOT allow a day excursion to Vancouver Island B.C. you must make accommodation arrangements for at least ONE NIGHT on Vancouver Island.