Ferry crossing
Washington State Ferries runs 5 to 6 sailings a day from Friday Harbor (San Juan Island) to Orcas Island, the first at 05:50 and the last at 21:50. The crossing takes between 55 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on the sailing, and no fare is charged in this direction.
Sailing times
As published by the operators. Times shift with the season and are suspended in heavy weather — confirm at the terminal before you travel.
From Washington State Ferries's published timetable, which runs until . The next one starts , and the page switches to it that day.
41 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.
| Departs | Arrives | Runs on | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:50 | 07:25 | Daily | 1h 35m |
| 08:35 | 10:10 | Daily | 1h 35m |
| 11:20 | 12:35 | Daily | 1h 15m |
| 14:20 | 15:45 | Mon–Sat | 1h 25m |
| 17:50 | 19:00 | Daily | 1h 10m |
| 21:50 | 22:45 | Daily | 55m |
Published fares
Every vehicle fare the operators publish on this crossing.
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle & Driver / Stowage Fare | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Motorcycle & Senior/Disability Driver / Stowage Fare | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle U14' (less than 168") & Sr/Disability Driver | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle U22' (standard veh) & Sr/Disability Driver | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 14' (less than 168") & Driver | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 22' (standard veh) & Driver | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 30' Over 7'2 in. | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 30' Under 7'2 in. | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 40' | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 50' | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 60' | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 70' | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
| Vehicle Under 80' | Washington State Ferries | No charge |
Fares as published by the operators, in USD, last checked . Vehicle fares rise in the summer season, and some crossings collect the fare in one direction only — a "No charge" row is the operator's own entry, not a gap.
On the map Orcas is close to Friday Harbor, yet the typical crossing takes about 80 minutes, because most boats call at other islands on the way; the direct ones manage it in about 55. Drivers pay nothing going this way. The vehicle fare is collected instead on the return leg from Orcas, something to bear in mind when planning a day trip by car.
Before you sail
The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.
Planning6 min read