The Ferry Pilot

UPDATE: The free foot ferry pilot is now over, and the Salish Current reports on prospects for a possible future foot ferry at this link.

Through June 30, 2025 San Juan County is piloting free, twice-daily passenger ferry service from Anacortes to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. Here’s how to use this pilot service to enjoy the islands! Some essentials:

• You will need to book ahead using their form, and to do it twice — once in each direction.
• If you are bringing more luggage than one backpack, or bringing a dog or a bike, you need to let them know in the form.
• It does look like you can reserve for multiple people using a single form, but remember to complete a form for each direction of travel.
• Your trip is not confirmed until you get an e-mail saying so.
• Arrive 20 minutes prior to boarding
• Info and form for booking is at this link.
• Schedule and locations are here.
  • The passenger ferry departs from Cap Sante, Anacortes, not the WSDOT terminal.
  • On Lopez Island it uses the dock at Odlin County Park.
  • CORRECTION: On Orcas and San Juan it docks near/at WSDOT terminals.
  • On Orcas, it goes directly to Eastsound.
  • Only On San Juan Island does it dock anywhere near the WSDOT terminal.
  • Excellent background on the pilot from the Salish Current.

To Lopez Island

Via Amtrak – Monday – Saturday

This post outlines a schedule for getting to Lopez, but can be used to get to Eastsound on Orcas or to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

Best for: Cyclists or for travelers who don’t mind doing a bit of walking once you arrive on Lopez Island. But check back — I’m working to confirm if there is currently taxi service available on the island (I’m not optimistic, so best to to assume there is not).

Using Amtrak offers the most direct route with the fewest transfers, but has the least flexibility because of the relative infrequency of the schedules involved. Make Mt. Vernon and Anacortes part of your trip, since you’ll have time to spare. The shortest trip you can do is probably a long weekend, starting on a Friday or Saturday and returning on a Monday.

To Mt. Vernon/Skagit Station

• From south of Mt. Vernon take Amtrak Cascades to Mt. Vernon/Skagit Station, arriving at 10:04 a.m.
• From north of Mt. Vernon take the train arriving at Skagit Station at 9:43 a.m.

To Anacortes

• Transfer to Skagit Transit Route 40X at 10:15 a.m. and take it to the end of the line at March’s Point. Optional: enjoy some time in Mt. Vernon by enjoying the Skagit Riverwalk and hop on a later run of the 40X, which leaves every hour at :15 after. The latest 40X you’ll want to catch is probably the 3:15 p.m. departure.
• At March Point, transfer to Skagit Transit Route 410, departing hourly at 40 minutes after the hour.
  • You’ll notice the 40x is scheduled to arrive at 40 after the hour, which is when the 410 is scheduled to depart. Don’t worry about it. The 40X usually arrives a few minutes early, making the transfer pretty easy. If you’re concerned, let the driver know you need to transfer to the 410 as if they are running late because of traffic, they may be able to get the 410 to wait.
  • If you do miss your transfer, you can:
    • Grab refreshments at nearby Moka Joe until the next 410 departs.
    • Make the lovely 4.5 miles from March Point transit station into part of your excursion by hiking or biking to Cap Sante, mostly via the Tommy Thompson trail. Goggle directions here. There are no shoulders on March Point Rd from the transit station to the Tommy Thompson trailhead at Fidalgo Bay, so take care along this stretch; or
    • See if ride-hail is available. The web tells me Uber does operate in Anacortes but wait times may be longer than in larger cities.

In Anacortes

• The route 410 bus stop closest to the ferry is Q Ave. and 13th across from Safeway, near the western end of the Tommy Thompson trail. You could enjoy the marina area along the Fidalgo Bay and hike up to Cap Sante park and back before catching the ferry.
• Or, get off the 410 a bit later and walk over to catch the Guemes Island ferry to explore this small island. In particular, bike friendly, but if you are up for walking a couple of miles to and from the ferry terminal, you can enjoy some shoreline hiking and the Guemes Mountain Trailhead. Return to Anacortes and catch the 410 back to the Cap Sante Marina (10th & Q St is probably your best best for getting off).
• If you have more time in Anacortes, Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse is a personal favorite and the 410 stops nearby at City Hall.
• This is not an exhaustive list!

To Lopez

• Whatever you enjoy in Anacortes, leave plenty of time to make your way to the Cap Sante Marina, Slip B-40. The ferry departs from here.
• On Lopez the ferry stops at Odlin County Park‘s pier, so if you are on foot, planning to camp here is a great plan. See the Fees link on the park’s website for information about the human-powered arrival campsites. If you’ve brought a bike, Spencer Spit State Park is a short ride away, and, of course, there is Lopez Village and many rental options around the island.
• There is currently no transit service on Lopez so if you aren’t coming by bike, stock up on supplies in Mt. Vernon (the Skagit Coop is great and not far from the transit station) or Anacortes. For those who enjoy long walks, it’s three miles to Lopez Village.

The WSDOT Option

Yes, you could also stay on the 410 bus and get the WSDOT Anacortes ferry. However, for Lopez, you would then have a hike or bike from the WSDOT terminal to Odlin County Park, Spencer Spit State Park, or into town. The foot ferry plops you right at Odlin.

Return Options

• Depart Odlin/Lopez at 8:35 a.m or 3:20 p.m., arriving at Cap Sante at 9:55 a.m. or 4:55 p.m.
• Catch Skagit Transit 410 at 10th & Q to March’s Point at 10:20 a.m. or 5:20 p.m. (last run of the day on Saturdays)
• Transfer to Skagit Transit 40X at 10:40 a.m. or 5:40 p.m. (last run of the day on Saturdays), arriving at Mt. Vernon/Skagit Station at 11 a.m. or 6 p.m.
• Catch Amtrak Cascades southbound at 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., or 7:13 p.m.. or northbound at 12:30p.m., 4:30 p.m. or 7:34 p.m.

Other Options

It is also possible to piece together a trip to Mt. Vernon by taking the Sound Transit light rail 1 Line + bus route 512 to Everett Station and catching the Skagit-Snohomish Connector 90X to Mt. Vernon Skagit Station, then connecting to the 40X, etc. as noted above. From Bellingham, use the 80X.

These are not the only options but are among the easier ones.

Sundays are for Cycling

The 40X and 410 do not run on Sundays. Sundays, though, cyclists could take Amtrak and ride from Mt. Vernon to the ferry. I haven’t done so, but seems like you could avoid SR-20 by plotting a route through tulip country in the Skagit Valley and connecting to the Tommy Thompson trail.

Thanks to my Bluesky mutual Tarnado for the heads up on the passenger ferry pilot!

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Header image Overlooking Shark Reef Sanctuary on Lopez Island. Copyright Roderick Huntress.