Getting to the

SAN JUAN ISLANDS

The most popular modes utilized by island guests

For those of you flying into SeaTac (Seattle Airport), there are a myriad of ways to get yourself to the San Juan Islands. This article will highlight the most popular modes utilized by island guests. Aside from walking or biking the whole way, your options generally entail travel by car, boat, small airplane or, in most cases, some combination of the above.

OPTION #1: Rental Car

APPROXIMATE COST: $185 APPROXIMATE TIME: 3.5 HRS

Rent a car at SeaTac, drive to Anacortes, drive onto the Washington State Ferry (WSF), and sail to the islands.

ADVANTAGES: With this option, you not only have transportation to and from the islands, but you can use the car to explore several of the islands while you’re there. Accordingly, this option gives you a lot of freedom to move about during your visit.

DISADVANTAGES: WSF only services Lopez Island, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and Shaw Island. If you plan to visit other islands, you’ll have to make alternate arrangements for transportation. You should also realize that you’ll be incurring the daily rental fee for the entirety of your trip, regardless of how much you use the vehicle.

OPTION #2: Enterprise® One-Way Rental

APPROXIMATE COST: $215 APPROXIMATE TIME: 3.5 HRS

Rent a car with Enterprise® at SeaTac, drive to Anacortes, drop-off the car at Enterprise’s designated lot at the Ferry Terminal, walk-on the Washington State Ferry (WSF), and sail to the islands.

ADVANTAGES: With this option you can dictate your own schedule, without having to worry about trying to make a shuttle or separate flight. The drop-off site is close enough to the ferry to permit walking, even with a moderate amount of baggage.

DISADVANTAGES: Depending on a number of factors (time of year, time of day, number of available cars, etc.), the drop-off fee may be substantial and outweigh the benefit of convenience. Moreover, you will have to arrange for alternate transportation once you reach your destination in the islands. Finally, this option doesn’t provide you with a guaranteed way to get back to SeaTac following your visit.

OPTION #3: Bellaire Airport Shuttle

APPROXIMATE COST: $65 APPROXIMATE TIME: 4 HRS

Board the shuttle at SeaTac, ride shuttle to Anacortes, unload at Ferry Terminal, walk-on the Washington State Ferry (WSF), and sail to the islands.

ADVANTAGES: This is the least expensive option. The coaches are large and comfortable, and round-trip fares are available.

DISADVANTAGES: This shuttle makes multiple stops between SeaTac and Anacortes, and usually entails switching buses in Burlington. The extra stops increase your trip time, thereby making it difficult to catch earlier ferry rides. In fact, sometimes the bus arrives late, forcing passengers to wait until the next scheduled WSF sailing. Finally, you will have to arrange for alternate transportation once you reach your destination in the islands.

OPTION #4: Island Airporter Shuttle

APPROXIMATE COST: $80 APPROXIMATE TIME: 3.5 HRS

Board the shuttle at SeaTac, ride shuttle to Anacortes, drive onto the Washington State Ferry (WSF), sail to the islands, and unload at Lopez Ferry Terminal or downtown Friday Harbor (SJI).

ADVANTAGES: This is a very cost-effective option, particularly considering that your WSF fee is included. Round trip fares are available. The bus is based in Friday Harbor and catches the early WSF sailing to Anacortes, so you can make mid- to late-morning flights out of SeaTac following your visit. Finally, the bus doesn’t make stops (other than a quick coffee stop) on the mainland so your travel is fairly streamlined.

DISADVANTAGES: This shuttle makes one round-trip between Friday Harbor and SeaTac daily, so your flights would have to correlate with pick-up and drop-off times when traveling to and from the islands, respectively. The shuttle does not run on weekends nor holidays, and reservations are required. You will have to arrange for alternate transportation once you reach Lopez Island or San Juan Island, which are your only destinations available on this shuttle.

OPTION #5: San Juan Clipper Tour

APPROXIMATE COST: $137-$187 APPROXIMATE TIME: 5 HRS

Board shuttle at SeaTac, ride shuttle to Pier 69 (downtown Seattle), board the catamaran, and sail to Friday Harbor (SJI).

ADVANTAGES: The clipper is a 200-passenger high-speed catamaran that provides an unparalleled experience while traveling between Seattle and San Juan Island (Port of Friday Harbor). Take in the incredible scenery of Puget Sound, view the abundant marine wildlife, and experience historic Deception Pass from the water. With this option, the trip between Seattle and San Juan Island can become one of the highlights of your vacation.

DISADVANTAGES: The quality of your clipper experience is somewhat dependent on the weather and timing. You will have to take a shuttle between SeaTac and Pier 69 (where the SJ Clipper is harbored), as well as arrange for alternate transportation once in San Juan Island if you plan to stay for any length of time. You will also have to arrange for travel to any of the other islands, since Friday Harbor is the sole island destination of the clipper. Finally, this option is seasonal, sailing between 28 May and 10 October only.

OPTION #6: Kenmore Air

APPROXIMATE COST: $175-$200 APPROXIMATE TIME: 1 HR

Board plane at SeaTac and fly to a variety of destinations in the San Juan Islands.

ADVANTAGES: If your goal is to get to the San Juan Islands as quickly as possible, a flight with Kenmore Air is hard to beat. They offer daily flights from SeaTac (as well as other regional airports) to Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island.

DISADVANTAGES: The price of flights reflects one-way travel and can vary depending on the time of year. You will have to arrange for alternate transportation once you reach Lopez Island, Orcas Island, or San Juan Island, which are your only available destinations.

OPTION #7: Point-to-Point Air

APPROXIMATE COST: $175-$210 APPROXIMATE TIME: 1.5 HRS

Board shuttle at SeaTac, take shuttle to Boeing Field or Paine Field, board plane, and fly to your desired destination in the San Juan Islands.

ADVANTAGES: You can charter a flight to many destinations within the San Juan Archipelago, which dramatically facilitates and shortens your trip if you’re visiting an island other than Lopez, Orcas, or San Juan.

DISADVANTAGES: There are no direct flights from SeaTac, requiring that you catch a shuttle to Boeing Field (in north Seattle) or Paine Field (in Everett). As with many of the other options, you will have to arrange for transportation once on-island.

OPTION #8: San Juan Airlines

APPROXIMATE COST: $96-$200 APPROXIMATE TIME: 2.5 HRs

Board shuttle at SeaTac, take shuttle to Anacortes or Bellingham, board plane, and fly to a variety of destinations in the San Juan Islands.

ADVANTAGES: You can hop a quick and cheap flight from Anacortes or Bellingham to multiple destinations in the islands, including Blakely, Lopez, Orcas and San Juan.

DISADVANTAGES: You will need to arrange for transportation between SeaTac and Anacortes/ Bellingham, which entails 1.5 to 2 hours of drive-time and additional expense. And once again, you will have to arrange for transportation once on-island.

OPTION #9: Friday Harbor Seaplanes

APPROXIMATE COST: $179-$200 APPROXIMATE TIME: 1.5 HRS

Board shuttle at SeaTac, take shuttle to Renton Municipal Airport, board plane, and fly to Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor (SJI).

ADVANTAGES: If you’re in for an adventure, a seaplane is a great way to get yourself to San Juan Island. Take-off from the south side of Lake Washington and land directly in Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor. Chartered flights are available year-round.

DISADVANTAGES: Scheduled flights are only available between May and October, with San Juan Island being the only destination. You will have to take a shuttle between SeatTac to Renton Municipal Airport (at the base of Lake Washington), as well as arrange for on-island transport.

Important Notes!

Washington State Ferry (WSF) passengers with vehicles need to be in line at the terminal AT LEAST 30 MINUTES prior to departure. Reservations are highly recommended. Go HERE more information and/or to make reservations.
Walk-on WSF passengers should be ready to board AT LEAST 15 MINUTES prior to departure. For more information and to make reservations please go HERE.
Go HERE to view the updated San Juan Ferry Schedule.
Ebikes, scooters, and/or cars may be available for rent on some of the islands.

WHICH OPTION IS BEST?

In summary, the least expensive options (shuttle buses) provide the least amount of freedom (since you will need to arrange for transportation once on-island). Renting a car provides the most freedom of movement once on island (presuming you’re visiting an island with roads) but the daily expense can add up. Flying into the islands saves a lot of time but can also be a more expensive option, particularly if you charter a private flight.

The right mode of transportation for you will depend on how much you want to enjoy the trip, how long you plan to spend on the islands, which islands you intend to visit, and what your budget allows.