What the WA ferry tracker shows
WA Ferry Tracker is a free Washington State Ferry tracker built around one problem: getting a car onto a sailing that looks sold out. It also puts every Washington State Ferries boat on a live map and shows drive-up space on the next sailings, so you can check the whole trip in one place. Here is what it tracks, and where to go for the things it doesn't.
- A live map of every WSF boat. The map above plots each in-service Washington State Ferries vessel from WSDOT's vessel-position feed, refreshed about once a minute. Tap a boat to see its route, scheduled departure and ETA.
- Drive-up space on the next sailings. For each terminal that publishes it, the drive-up panel shows WSDOT's estimate of car spaces left on the next one or two departures, with the boat's name. It's an estimate: cars still in line before the tollbooth aren't counted.
- Live reservation space for today. For Anacortes ⇄ Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, the public "Today's reservation space" panel above lists the sailings still to come today and whether each one has reservation space open. No sign-in needed to look.
- The boat on each sailing. The panel names the boat WSF has scheduled on the next open sailing, such as Chelan, Yakima or Sealth, and after sign-in the full sailings list shows the vessel for every sailing. That's handy when a boat swap changes capacity or amenities.
- Alerts for the sailings you pick. Sign in with WhatsApp, choose a date and the sailing times you'd accept on the San Juan Islands or Port Townsend–Coupeville routes, and the tracker keeps checking every few minutes. Released space and cancellations both trigger an alert.
- Reservation release timing. The route pages below explain when WSF releases each batch of space, so you know when to look.
Tracking a ferry live: this tracker plus WSDOT's tools
Different "ferry tracker" questions have different best answers. This tracker now covers boat positions and drive-up space as well as reservations; WSDOT's own tools are still the official source.
| You want to know… | Best place to check |
|---|
| Is there reservation space on a San Juan Islands sailing? Can I get pinged when a sold-out one opens? | This tracker (live reservation space, WhatsApp alerts after sign-in) |
| Where is my boat right now? Is it running late? | The live ferry map on this page (WSDOT vessel positions, refreshed about every minute, with ETA). WSDOT VesselWatch is the official real-time map and marks boats delayed more than 10 minutes. |
| How many drive-up spots are left? How long is the line? | The drive-up space panel on this page shows WSDOT's estimate for the next sailings from each terminal. For terminal cameras and wait-time notes, use WSDOT's terminal, wait time & camera page. Cars still in line before the tollbooth aren't counted. |
| Was my sailing cancelled? Is there a boat swap? | WSF travel alerts, or WSF route text alerts by text message |
| When is the line usually shortest? | Our best time to take the ferry guide, which reads WSF's "best times to travel" charts |
Planning a specific crossing? Start with Washington State Ferry routes for crossing times and busy periods, or ferry terminals for parking, walk-on and line tips.
How WA ferry reservation alerts work
- Sign in with WhatsApp. Enter your number and a 4-digit code. No password, no app download.
- Create a scheduler. Choose a route, a date and the sailing times you'd accept.
- We keep checking WSF's public reservation availability every few minutes, including cancellations.
- Get a WhatsApp alert the moment space opens, then book on the official WSF site.
Routes covered
- Anacortes ⇄ San Juan Islands: Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw. WSF releases space about two months before the season, then again two weeks and two days before each sailing at 7 a.m.
- Port Townsend ⇄ Coupeville (Whidbey Island). 80% opens at the seasonal release; after that, new space comes from cancellations.
- Anacortes ⇄ Sidney, B.C.: WSF says this route is suspended until at least spring 2030. Status and alternatives.
Why use this WA ferry tracker
- Free, with no subscription and no invite code.
- WhatsApp alerts that work on Android, iPhone and desktop, including international numbers.
- No app to install. It runs in your browser.
- Live boats, drive-up space and reservation space in one place, all public, so you can check before signing up.
Comparing tools? See our factual FerryRez alternative comparison.
WA ferry tracker FAQ
What is the WA Ferry Tracker?
A free web app for Washington State Ferries riders. It shows every WSF boat on a live map, WSDOT's drive-up space estimate for the next sailings at each terminal, and today's San Juan Islands reservation space with the boat on each sailing. Sign in and it can send you a WhatsApp alert when a sold-out sailing opens up. It runs in your browser, with no app to install.
Does the tracker show live ferry positions on a map?
Yes. The live map plots every in-service Washington State Ferries boat from WSDOT's vessel-position feed, refreshed about once a minute, with its route, scheduled departure and ETA. WSDOT's official VesselWatch map shows the same boats and also flags any running more than 10 minutes late.
Can I see drive-up space and wait times?
Drive-up space, yes: the drive-up panel shows WSDOT's estimate of car spaces left on the next sailings from each terminal that publishes it. It's an estimate: WSDOT subtracts vehicles already through the tollbooth (and reservations, on reservation routes) from the boat's capacity, so cars still in line before the tollbooth aren't counted. For terminal cameras and wait-time notes, use WSDOT's Terminal, Wait Time & Camera Information page.
How do WA ferry reservation alerts work?
Sign in with your WhatsApp number, create a scheduler for your route, date and acceptable sailing times, and the tracker checks WSF's public reservation availability every few minutes. When space opens you get a WhatsApp message with a link to book on the official WSF site.
Are the alerts free?
Yes. WA Ferry Tracker is free, needs no app and no invite code.
Which Washington State Ferries routes are covered?
Anacortes to and from Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw in the San Juan Islands, and Port Townsend to and from Coupeville. These are the WSF routes that take vehicle reservations. Sidney, B.C. is listed for when WSF restores it; WSF says it is suspended until at least spring 2030.
When does WSF release reservation space?
On Anacortes/San Juan Islands, 30% of standard space opens about two months before the season at 10 a.m. Pacific, 30% two weeks before each sailing and 30% two days before, both at 7 a.m. On Port Townsend/Coupeville, 80% opens at the seasonal release. Cancellations add space at any time.
Can the tracker book a reservation for me?
No. You always book on the official WSF reservation site. The tracker only alerts you; it is not affiliated with Washington State Ferries or WSDOT.
Guides: How to get a sold-out WSF reservation · Reservation alerts by route · All ferry routes · All ferry terminals · All ferry guides