there and back

Getting There and Back

Getting to the Island

The ferry schedule can be found here. Please try to be on the 11:50am ferry on friday if you are in the rehursal (if you make the 2:45pm instead please call us and head straight for the point lawn at Rosario when you hit the island). Please try to make the 2:45pm ferry to make the cerimony on time on Saturday. Driving directions to the ferry dock can be found here.

Should we drive on, and what ferry do we catch?

It will be a busy ferry weekend. Think holiday weekend on the woodshole to marthasvineyard ferry. As a walk on, as long as you are there in time you will get on the ferry. In a car you may have to wait for the next one if they run out of room. Here is what I would suggest:

If you are flying out in the afternoon on Sunday:
I would strongly urge you to walk on, so that you don't have to fret about missing the ferry you need off the island. Your other options are to put the car in line late Saturday night after the wedding, or to wake up really early, say by 5am. Neither option sounds great to me. Best is to walk on and plan on leaving on the 7:15am or 9:20am ferry. The next ferry is 12:05pm. That would put you in Anacortes at about 1:05pm, SeaTac at about 3:05pm if traffic is not so bad. Again I am not sure when your flight is, but that sounds like it is cutting it close for anything earlier than a 5:30pm departure.

If you are flying out on the red-eye on Sunday:
The drive on/walk on decision is up to you. A car will be more hassle with the ferry, but you will be mobile to explore the island a little. If you do take a car plan to put it in line around 9:30 (after the 9:20 leaves) on Sunday morning. You can park it, lock it, and then walk about 30 yards to an outdoor breakfast buffet that my folks put together and hang out for a couple of hours. (maybe a little hair of the dog too.) By getting in line early you should all be able to make the 12:05pm. Failing that there is another shortly after at 1:30pm. I will leave it at your discretion, but there is also a 4:20pm sailing that could translate to a 7:20ish arrival at Seatac. The problem is that as we get later in the day, there will be more people trying to get off the island, and you just don't want to miss the last ferry you have to catch.

If you are flying out Monday or after.
Relax! you got time. You can catch any ferry you want. It will be crazier later in the day, and there will just happen to be a private party that you are invited to by the ferry dock in the morning: so if it was me, I would park the car in line by 10ish for the 12:05 or 1:30 ferries and amble down to the buffet line. Then kill the afternoon/evening in Seattle or the Mountains or maybe on Whidbey Island.

Here is the cheatsheet for Sunday:
NOTE: These times are conservative by my (Brian's) standards. I also once left the office 35 minutes before wheels up and made my flight, so judge your own risk tolerance. The driving times can vary but below are probably pretty good estimates.

Leaving Orcas Anacortes Seattle SeaTac flight departure

1:30a 2:30a 4:14-4:30 4:30-5:00 anytime Sunday

7:15a 8:15 10:00-10:15 10:15-10:45 should be later than 12:45pm

9:20a 10:20 12:05-12:20 12:20-12:50 should be later than 2:50pm

12:05p 1:05 3:05-3:20 3:20-3:50 should be later than 5:50pm

1:30p 2:30 4:15-4:30 4:30-5:00 should be later than 7:00pm

4:20p 5:20 7:05-7:20 7:20-7:50 should be later than 9:50pm

7:30p and later flight departure anytime Monday or later

Long story short, if you are going for anything before the 12:05p I strongly recommend you walk on. If you are going for the 12:05 or 1:30 and are taking a car, plan to park early then hang out at the buffet.

The Orcas Island Shuttle

If you choose to walk onto the ferry, the Orcas Island Shuttle (Tel. # 360 376 7433) can get you from the harbor to Rosario’s. They charge a flat $10 per day and will take you whereever you want to go on the island all day.

http://www.orcasislandshuttle.com

Car Rental on the Island

I doubt this will make sense for most people but you can rent a car on the island at Orcas Rental Cars (360) 376-RENT (7368) or 1-866-376-RENT

http://www.orcasrentalcars.com

Seattle to Orcas Island Passenger only Ferry

Victoria Clipper offers seasonal passenger ferry service from downtown Seattle to Friday Harbor 800-888-2535

Airport Shuttles To Anacortes Ferry Terminal

Airport shuttles will transport you between SeaTac Airport and the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. Airport Shuttle from SeaTac Airport or Downtown Seattle to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal 866-235-5247. Island Airporter from SeaTac Airport to Anacortes Ferry Terminal 360-378-7438

Water Taxi, Anacortes to Rosario

Rosario will arrange and charge to your room a water taxi pick up at Anacortes and drop you off at Rosario. No charge for parking on main land and fee is $35/person. Need to call Bill, Concierge, 1 800 562 8820 ext 501 and give him your flight information. He will make the arrangements for you. Bill said the shuttle from the airport makes stops so it takes longer than a car making the same distance,therefore, the water taxi may be a better option as you might miss the ferry your planning to take.

Leaving Orcas	Anacortes	Seattle	SeaTac	flight departure
1:30a	2:30a	4:14-4:30	4:30-5:00	anytime Sunday
7:15a	8:15	10:00-10:15	10:15-10:45	should be later than 12:45pm
9:20a	10:20	12:05-12:20	12:20-12:50	should be later than 2:50pm
12:05p	1:05	3:05-3:20	3:20-3:50	should be later than 5:50pm
1:30p	2:30	4:15-4:30	4:30-5:00	should be later than 7:00pm
4:20p	5:20	7:05-7:20	7:20-7:50	should be later than 9:50pm
7:30p and later	flight departure anytime Monday or later