WA Ferry Tracker › Guides
All San Juan Islands vehicle traffic runs on the Washington State Ferries Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. Here's what to know at each terminal before you book.
⛴️ See live space for each route| Terminal | What to know |
|---|---|
| Lopez Island | Westbound from Anacortes takes reservations. Eastbound from Lopez to Anacortes has no reservations, so vehicles load first-come, first-served. Some Feb–Mar 2027 dates won't be reservable because of transfer-span construction. |
| Shaw Island | The smallest stop, between Lopez and Orcas. Westbound from Anacortes takes reservations. Eastbound from Shaw has no reservations (first-come, first-served). |
| Orcas Island | Orcas Village terminal, the gateway to Moran State Park and Eastsound. Reservations are available both ways (Anacortes ⇄ Orcas). Holiday-weekend sailings fill quickly. Some Feb–Mar 2027 dates won't be reservable because of transfer-span construction. |
| Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) | The largest town in the islands and usually the last domestic stop. Reservations are available both ways (Anacortes ⇄ Friday Harbor). Inter-island travel between the islands is handled differently, so check the WSF schedule. |
Rules on every route
- Space opens in three tiers: 30% two months before the season (10 a.m.), 30% two weeks before the sailing (7 a.m.), and 30% two days before (7 a.m.). The last 10% is kept for stand-by. Full holiday guide →
- Reservations are one-way, free to make, and charged a no-show fee if unused. They aren't tickets.
- Arrive 45–60 minutes before your sailing.
- Walk-ons and bicycles never need reservations.
What WA Ferry Tracker watches
Anacortes → Orcas, Friday Harbor, Lopez, and Shaw, plus Orcas, Friday Harbor, and Lopez → Anacortes. The tracker refreshes every few minutes and can send you a WhatsApp alert when a full sailing gets space back.
Sources
- WSF Vehicle Reservations (Save A Spot), "What to know" and "Reservation Release Dates", wsdot.wa.gov (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- Best times to travel on ferries, WSDOT
- Ferries & terminals: real-time map, alerts, and loading cameras, WSDOT
- Ferry reservation policy (acceptable use), WSDOT
This is an independent guide. It isn't affiliated with Washington State Ferries. Rules change every season, so check the WSF reservations page before you travel.