Friday Harbor, where our sea kayak tours meet, is located on San Juan Island in Washington State. We have many guests come from Seattle for one day whale watching kayak trips. Friday Harbor is accessible from Seattle, Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia by air, tour boats, airporter van to Anacortes and via the Washington State Ferry System. If you're flying on one of the small island carriers it is critical that you book flights far in advance to assure room.
If you are driving or coming by bus you'll need to get to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. There is no reservation system for the ferries so if you plan on taking your vehicle onto the island make sure you get there 2-3 hours in advance. A much better alternative is to park your car and walk on to the ferry, saving both time and money. If you are a foot passenger make sure you allow a good hour to buy your ticket, park your car and carry your gear to the passenger departure area.
If you are flying in to the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport many of our guests take advantage of the Sea-Tac to Anacortes Airporter van. It will take you right to the Anacortes ferry landing from the airport. At the ferry terminal simply buy a walk-on ticket (cheap!) and take the ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. If you've booked hotel reservations at one of the places we recommend once you get off the ferry your lodging is less than a block away. Is this easy or what! You may also take a passenger-only boat from Seattle (see the Victoria Clipper info. below) with daily runs from Seattle to Friday Harbor.
TRAVELING AND MEETING YOUR GROUP
Anacortes Ferry Departure: If you are coming from the mainland by ferry, there's a morning ferry that leaves Anacortes in the AM. & arrives in Friday Harbor approximately 2 hours later (please call or email for more specific times). If you are planning to bring a car onto the island the day of the trip please make sure you allow enough waiting time. This can be several hours during the busy summer months! We strongly recommend leaving your car at the ferry terminal and walking on.
Driving Time From Seattle: Allow two hours' driving time to reach the ferry terminal. Add another half an hour to park your car, buy a ticket, and carry personal gear to the passenger departure area.
Driving Directions: Drive north on Interstate 5, passing through Everett and Mount Vernon. Take Exit 230 (Sedro-Wooley/Burlington Exit) and go left (west) following Highway 20 to Anacortes. In Anacortes follow the signs to the San Juan Islands ferry terminal.
Ticket Buying and Ferry Departure: Park your car, buy a passenger (walk-on) ticket for Friday Harbor at the ticket booth, and carry your gear to the passenger departure area.
Arrival in Friday Harbor: Walk off the ferry and turn right. Look for either silver or an all-white Ford 15-passenger van with the Outdoor Odysseys logo on the side or a greenish-blue 15 passenger Dodge van.
HELPFUL TRAVEL PHONE NUMBERS:
Kenmore Air - 800-543-9595 - Float planes to Friday Harbor.
Victoria Clipper's "San Juan Express" 800-888-2535 - One departure daily from Seattle.
Washington State Ferries - 800-843-3779 or 206-464-6400 - The only way to get your vehicle on to the islands. The ferry route goes from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and then on to Sydney on Vancouver Island.
Anacortes Sea-Tac Airporter Van - 800-448-8443 - Shuttle service between the Anacortes ferry terminal and Sea-Tac airport in Seattle.
