WA Ferry Tracker › Anacortes to Orcas Island Ferry
🔔 Free ferry alerts on WhatsApp| Departs | Anacortes |
|---|---|
| Arrives | Orcas Village (Orcas Island) |
| Crossing time | about 55 minutes direct, up to about 1¼ hours with stops |
| Reservations | Vehicles, both directions |
| Operator | Washington State Ferries (WSDOT) |
Crossing time and where you land
The ferry lands at Orcas Village on the south shore of Orcas Island. Depending on the sailing, the boat goes there directly (just under an hour) or calls at Lopez and/or Shaw on the way (about 1 to 1¼ hours). Eastsound, the island's main town, and Moran State Park with Mount Constitution are a drive of roughly 15–25 minutes from the terminal, so most visitors to Orcas either bring a car or arrange a ride in advance.
WSF publishes seasonal schedules and adjusts them for holidays, vessel swaps and crew shortages. On this route several boats share the work, and the stop order changes from sailing to sailing, so check that your departure actually stops at Orcas before you get in line.
Vehicle reservations (both directions)
Orcas is one of the two island terminals (with Friday Harbor) that take vehicle reservations both ways. WSF releases about 30% of standard car space two months before the season (10 a.m. Pacific), 30% two weeks before each sailing and 30% two days before (both 7 a.m.). About 10% is held for stand-by. Reservations are free, one-way and not tickets; a no-show fee applies if you don't use or cancel one. Arrive 45–60 minutes before departure.
Car or walk-on?
Walk-ons and bikes don't need a reservation, but Orcas is spread out and hilly, and the terminal is a fair distance from Eastsound. Walking on works best if you're staying somewhere that picks guests up, you've booked a taxi or shuttle in advance, or you're a confident cyclist. Otherwise a car is usually worth the reservation effort. Vehicle fares are charged once for the round trip, collected westbound from Anacortes, and vary with vehicle length and height; a peak-season surcharge applies May 1 – Sept. 30.
Busy times
Summer and holiday weekends are the crunch: Friday afternoon and Saturday morning heading out, Sunday afternoon and holiday Mondays coming back. Midweek midday sailings are generally calmer. Coming home, the eastbound Orcas reservations matter most; if you can't get one, plan to be in line very early and bring patience (and snacks). WSDOT's seasonal "best times to travel" chart and the terminal cameras are the best guides on the day.
Tips
- Book outbound and return together. The return is the one that sells out.
- On busy days the eastbound holding lanes at Orcas Village can back up well before departure; plan your last island stop and lunch so you're in line early.
- Want to hop to Friday Harbor or Lopez for a day? The inter-island ferry is first-come, first-served and doesn't take reservations.
- More Orcas-specific advice: Orcas Island ferry tips.
Riding with a toddler or baby
- Kids ride free. WSF says children and youth under 19 travel free when they're not driving, so a family car fare is really just the vehicle-and-driver fare plus any other adults.
- Walk-ons board over the car deck at the islands. At Anacortes you use the overhead passenger ramp, but WSDOT notes that at all the island terminals walk-on passengers load and unload via the car deck. Keep little ones in a carrier or holding hands, and expect to wait for the crew's signal.
- Pack for the line, not just the boat. With a car you may sit in the holding lanes for an hour or more in summer. Snacks, a change of clothes and a charged tablet go a long way. Most San Juan boats have a galley and restrooms once you're aboard.
- Get upstairs early. Once the car is parked you can head up to the passenger deck; window booths fill fast on summer sailings. Note your car-deck stairwell so you can find the car again before arrival.
- Car seats for walk-on trips. If you walk on and plan to use a taxi, shuttle or rental car on the island, bring your own car seat or confirm one is available; a lightweight travel seat or a carrier plus stroller is easier on the ramps than a big stroller.
How WA Ferry Tracker helps
WA Ferry Tracker is a free, independent tool. It shows live WSF vehicle reservation space for Anacortes ⇄ Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw, refreshed through the day. If the sailing you want is full, create a scheduler with your date and the sailing times you'd accept. The tracker keeps checking every few minutes (including after cancellations and the two-week and two-day releases) and sends you a WhatsApp message when space opens, so you can book on the official WSF site before someone else does. It doesn't book for you, and it isn't affiliated with WSF.
FAQ
How long is the ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island?
Just under an hour when it goes directly, and about 1 to 1¼ hours when it stops at Lopez or Shaw first.
Can I make a reservation from Orcas back to Anacortes?
Yes. Orcas and Friday Harbor are the island terminals that take eastbound reservations. Book each direction separately.
Is the Orcas ferry terminal closing in 2027?
WSDOT lists a 48-hour Orcas closure on March 9–10, 2027 for transfer span work, when ferries won't stop at Orcas. Confirm dates on the WSF bulletin before you plan.
Can I visit Orcas without a car?
Yes, but plan transport. The terminal is about a 15–25 minute drive from Eastsound, so arrange a pickup, taxi or bike before you walk on.
When do winter 2026–27 reservations open?
WSDOT moved the two-month release for the winter season to Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026 at 10 a.m. The two-week and two-day releases stay at 7 a.m.
Sources
- WSDOT ferry schedules
- WSF Vehicle Reservations (release tiers, arrival times, no-show fee)
- WSDOT: Ferry travel alert bulletins
- WSDOT: Ticket information (youth fares, roundtrip San Juan fares, peak surcharge)
- WSDOT: Anacortes terminal (directions, ADA, loading)
- WSDOT: Best times to travel on ferries
Independent guide, not affiliated with Washington State Ferries or WSDOT. Schedules, fares and rules change by season, so confirm on wsdot.wa.gov before you travel. Last updated November 4, 2026.