Ferry crossing
Washington State Ferries runs 5 to 6 sailings a day from Shaw Island to Orcas Island, the first at 07:20 and the last at 21:35. The crossing takes between 10 minutes and 20 minutes, depending on the sailing.
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.
Times from Washington State Ferries' published schedule feed, read into this site on . Seasonal timetables change; confirm with the line before you travel.
40 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.
| Departs | Arrives | Runs on | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:20 | 07:40 | Daily | 20m |
| 12:55 | 13:05 | Daily | 10m |
| 15:45 | 15:55 | Mon–Sat | 10m |
| 19:05 | 19:15 | Daily | 10m |
| 20:05 | 20:25 | Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun | 20m |
| 21:35 | 21:45 | Daily | 10m |
Published fares
Every vehicle fare the operators publish on this crossing.
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle & Driver / Stowage Fare | Washington State Ferries | US$11.85 |
| Motorcycle & Senior/Disability Driver / Stowage Fare | Washington State Ferries | US$11.85 |
| Vehicle U14' (less than 168") & Sr/Disability Driver | Washington State Ferries | US$29 |
| Vehicle Under 14' (less than 168") & Driver | Washington State Ferries | US$29 |
| Vehicle U22' (standard veh) & Sr/Disability Driver | Washington State Ferries | US$41.05 |
| Vehicle Under 22' (standard veh) & Driver | Washington State Ferries | US$41.05 |
| Vehicle Under 30' Under 7'2 in. | Washington State Ferries | US$61.10 |
| Vehicle Under 30' Over 7'2 in. | Washington State Ferries | US$121.15 |
| Vehicle Under 40' | Washington State Ferries | US$161.20 |
| Vehicle Under 50' | Washington State Ferries | US$201.25 |
| Vehicle Under 60' | Washington State Ferries | US$241.30 |
| Vehicle Under 70' | Washington State Ferries | US$281.35 |
| Vehicle Under 80' | Washington State Ferries | US$321.40 |
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.
This is the shortest hop on the WSF San Juan Islands network, usually around 10 minutes from dock to dock. Heading west from Shaw, whether to Orcas or on to Friday Harbor, drivers need a vehicle ticket, which comes from the ticket seller on the Shaw dock along with loading directions. Inter-island vehicles line up in their own lanes there, apart from traffic bound for Anacortes.
Before you sail
The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.
