Lodging on Orcas Island
Book your lodging for the Festival as early as possible – August is the busiest time for visitors in the San Juan Islands, and last-minute lodging is often impossible to find. An excellent resource is the Lodging page on the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce website: Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.com/Accommodations.
Ferry Reservations and Tickets
Unlike other modes of travel, reservations and tickets for Washington State Ferries are separate transactions.
Reservations for vehicle travel on Washington State Ferries to and from Orcas Island are not required but are strongly recommended, especially during summer and holidays. Walk-on passengers, bicycles, and motorcycles do not need reservations.
Reservations for the Summer ferry schedule (mid-June through late September) are released beginning in mid-April in three segments of 30% of total spaces. The first batch of reservations occurs on the release day at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. The second and third segments are “rolling releases,” 14 days before each sailing date at 7:00 AM Pacific Time and two days before each sailing date at 7:00 AM Pacific Time. All spaces on popular dates and times are usually booked soon after each release, often within minutes. Insider hint: if you are unable to get a reservation for your preferred sailing, streamline your next attempt by making a reservation for any sailing and then changing it when you find availability on the one you want. You save time by filling out all of your notification and no-show billing details. Between releases, it’s good to check the reservation website from time to time; you may find an opening on the sailing you want as people change or cancel their travel plans.
For more information or to make a reservation, click on the “Save A Spot” button below or call the WSF reservation line at 1-888-808-7977.
Ferry Tickets can be purchased either online or at the ferry terminal toll booth. All tickets for the San Juan Islands are round-trip and are only required for westbound travel.
Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal at least an hour before sailing time, as there can be long lines before the ticket booths at both the Anacortes and Orcas terminals; if you are not checked through the ticket booth at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing time, you will lose your reservation and be placed on standby. Note: if you don’t arrive in time for your reservation or travel the same date on a different sailing, present your reservation at the ticket booth. You will be placed on standby and will not be charged a no-show fee.
