Visiting USA

The San Juan Islands

Ferries from Seattle to San Juan Island are a great way to get from Washington’s most famous city to the naturally beautiful island off the coast of the state.

Clipper Vacations runs a passenger ferry from Seattle to Friday Harbor, which is located on San Juan Island. There is a daily ferry from Seattle to Friday Harbor from mid-May until early September.

From early September until late September, there is a ferry on Saturday and Sunday only. There are no ferries from Seattle to San Juan Island between late September and mid-May.

Ferries that travel on this route depart from Pier 69, which is located at 2701 Alaskan Way in Seattle. They travel through the beautiful Deception Pass and dock at the ferry terminal in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

Ferry journeys take three and a half hours to get to the island and 2 hours and 45 minutes to get back. Times can vary depending on the weather.

Most ferry trips include an optional two and and a half hour whale watching excursion that starts 15 minutes after the ferry arrives in Friday Harbor and ends two and a half hours before departure for Seattle.

Ferries to San Juan Island offer various on-board services including food for purchase. The views are spectacular, so make sure to look out the windows while you are traveling.

Tickets for ferries from Seattle to San Juan Island cost from $80 round trip and $42.50 one way. There are good online discounts if you buy ferry tickets at least a day ahead. These include a deal where a child can travel free with a paying adult.

Ferry from Seattle to Victoria, BC

Ferries from Seattle to Victoria are a great way to travel from the USA to Canada.

A passenger-only ferry between the two cities is run by a company called Clipper Vacations. The company runs daily Victoria Clipper ferries from Seattle to British Columbia all year. There are three daily departures in the summer months, two in the early fall, and one throughout the winter and spring.

Ferries from Seattle to Victoria depart from Pier 69 at 2701 Alaskan Way in Seattle. They travel through the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and dock at the ferry terminal in the inner harbor in Victoria. It is located at 254 Belleville Street.

Ferry journeys take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on departure times and weather. Make sure to arrive at the ferry terminal in Seattle early to check in and proceed through passport control.

Ferries to Victoria offer a range of services on board. Staff come by to take drink and food orders, and there is also a duty free shop and a food counter where you can make purchases. Paid WiFi is available as well.

Tickets for ferries from Seattle to Victoria cost from $137 round trip and $82 one way. There are discounts available if you buy ferry tickets online in advance. Special fares are also offered for seniors. Children traveling with paying adults can get free ferry tickets.

Ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, BC

Ferries from Anacortes to Sidney BC are a great way to travel from Washington state in the USA to British Columbia in Canada.

Ferries depart from the established ferry port in Anacortes, Washington and arrive at Sidney Harbor on Vancouver Island in BC. There are two departures during the day every day in the summer season, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There are fewer crossings in the winter season.

Ferry schedules from Washington to Vancouver Island are adjusted seasonally. The summer season for ferries from Anacortes to Sidney BC runs from mid June to late September. The winter season runs for the remainder of the year.

The travel time on ferries that ply the route between the USA and Canada is 2 hours and 5 minutes for the afternoon ferry and 2 hours and 30 minutes for the morning ferry. The morning ferry takes longer because it makes a stop at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island en route.

Tickets for ferries from Anacortes to Sidney BC cost $56.45 for an adult driver with a car and $16.85 for an adult with no vehicle or bicycle. Ferry ticket discounts are available for youths and senior citizens. Special half price offers are often available for RVs and other large vehicles.