Planning study news
After nearly two years of work by Washington State Ferries staff and San Juan Islands communities the winter, spring/fall and summer season sailing schedules for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route have been updated.
Purpose
What to know about the updated summer sailing schedule
Vehicle reservations for the summer season are now available. The updated summer sailing schedule began on June 15. Make sure to check out the new schedule before you make a reservation.
Vehicle reservations
- Vehicle reservations for the summer 2025 schedule (June 15 through September 20) on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route are available as of Tuesday, April 15.
- The two-week and two-day releases will remain at 7 a.m. that day for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands reservations.
- WSF will open 90% of vehicle space for reservations and keep open the remaining 10% for stand-by vehicles. Space is released in three phases – at two months, two weeks, and two days prior to the sailing.
- In 2023, WSF restricted reservations to 75% of vessel space to provide more flexibility for our terminal staff and better predictability for reservation holders during service disruptions. With the new schedule, WSF expects reliability to improve and disruptions to decrease, so reservations are returning to 90% of vessel space.
- To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this high-demand period, WSF will continue using a virtual waiting room.
Next steps
- WSF will monitor the new schedule and vehicle allotments closely. If issues become apparent, WSF is prepared to adjust the schedule.
- Please be patient, especially for the first few weeks as customers and WSF staff get used to a new schedule.
What to know about the updated spring sailing schedule
Vehicle reservations for the spring season are available as of Jan. 29. The updated spring sailing schedule began on March 23. Make sure to check out the new schedule before you make a reservation.
Vehicle reservations
- Vehicle reservations for the spring 2025 schedule (March 23 through June 14) on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route are available now.
- The two-week and two-day releases will remain at 7 a.m. that day for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands reservations.
- WSF will open 90% of vehicle space for reservations and keep open the remaining 10% for stand-by vehicles. Space is released in three phases – at two months, two weeks, and two days prior to the sailing.
- In 2023, WSF restricted reservations to 75% of vessel space to provide more flexibility for our terminal staff and better predictability for reservation holders during service disruptions. With the new schedule, WSF expects reliability to improve and disruptions to decrease, so reservations are returning to 90% of vessel space.
- To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this high-demand period, WSF will continue using a virtual waiting room.
Next steps
- WSF will monitor the new schedule and vehicle allotments closely. If issues become apparent, WSF is prepared to adjust the schedule.
- Please be patient, especially for the first few weeks as customers and WSF staff get used to a new schedule.
What to know about the updated winter sailing schedule
Vehicle reservations for the winter season are available as of Oct. 29. The updated winter sailing schedule began on Dec. 29. Make sure to check out the new schedule before you make a reservation.
How the winter sailing schedule was developed
Since the schedule was last updated more than a decade ago, the Anacortes/San Juan Island route has seen a lot of change, including ridership growth, the addition of vehicle reservations, and recent vessel and crewing challenges. The new schedule includes adjusted island stops, revised sailing times, and updated vehicle allotments for each island. Weekend interisland service was added to the upcoming winter sailing schedule, thanks to temporary funding from Gov. Jay Inslee’s office. As WSF created the new schedule, it included more realistic crossing times and dwell times (how long vessels stay at each terminal between sailings). These schedule changes will help improve on-time performance and provide more certainty for customers that boats will arrive and depart on time.
How community engagement informed this process
For nearly two years, we worked closely with a 24-member community task force to create the new schedules based on local priorities. We looked to the unique perspectives of all customers, and input was gathered from rider groups, business owners, government agencies, and individuals across each community. We also gathered input through public meetings and an online open house, which saw over 4,700 visitors 400 comments.
How we built vehicle allotments
Vehicle allotments are for eastbound traffic, to ensure all islands receive an appropriate “share” of total eastbound capacity. They are split into regular and tall allotment to provide space for commercial users. We built allotments with targets by island population and demand (subject to change on a daily/weekly/seasonal basis, not applicable for a specific sailing). Allotment distribution is percentage based and can vary by vessel assignments and season.
Friday Harbor-42 percent
Orcas Island-36 percent
Lopez Island-20 percent
Shaw Island-2 percent
The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route has seen a lot of change in the last several years, including the implementation of vehicle reservations, vessel breakdowns and reassignments, alternative service due to COVID-19 and crewing constraints. Providing reliable service, one of the goals of the WSF 2040 Long Range Plan, for customers traveling on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route requires a schedule that balances frequent connections and capacity to move customers with operational and budget constraints.
The San Juan Islands sailing schedule needs to be updated to improve on-time performance and reliability and to align with the reservations program that started in 2015. Current seasonal sailing schedules have not been updated in 10-15 years.
Goals of updating the sailing schedule
- Improve on-time performance.
- Support reliability of service and system.
- Provide adequate travel opportunities for key user groups.
- Maintain as much capacity as possible.
Task Force
In addition to broad community engagement through public meetings, websites and other tools, WSF has established a task force to provide advice and recommendations on sailing schedule changes. The task force is an advisory group charged with examining current sailings schedules, reviewing options developed by WSF and making recommendations. The task force will help WSF prioritize changes and review impacts to WSF customers and residents of San Juan County.
In order to complete this charge, the task force has met and will continue to meet at key milestones (virtually or in person), or review information by email, to identify and prioritize areas of focus and recommend improvements for WSF consideration. Task force members represent their community and provide input on community engagement opportunities and how to ensure public comment is reflected in the schedule development process.
Online Open House
Washington State Ferries hosted an online open house from July 29-Aug. 23, 2024 to give community members the chance to view draft schedules, provide feedback and learn more about the process for updating sailing schedules on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. WSF staff is now compiling the information provided and working to implement it into the sailing schedules.
Public meetings
Washington State Ferries hosted two virtual public information sessions to discuss the process for updating sailing schedules for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route.