San Juan Islands: Getting there
Washington State Ferries runs a dozen boats per day - or up to fifteen in summer - to the islands from the harbor a few miles west of ANACORTES , a gritty fishing port 75 miles north of Seattle at the end of Hwy-20. The ferry stops at four of the 172 islands (Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and San Juan; ), and the slow cruise through the archipelago is a delight. Motorists should get to the port early, as there's often an hour's wait or more to get vehicles onto a summer crossing; pedestrians and cyclists have less of a hassle. Fares to San Juan - $6.80 for foot passengers on a round-trip and $22.50 for a car and driver, with an additional $6 for the latter in summer - are collected only on the westbound journey and there is no charge for foot passengers on inter-island trips. One ferry a day (two in summer) goes on to Sidney in British Columbia. A passenger-only service to Orcas and San Juan islands runs from Bellingham during the summer months. Kenmore Air (tel 206/486-1257 or 1-800/543-9595, ) runs seaplane flights from Seattle to five harbors in the San Juans for $110 (one-way) and $162 (round-trip). Harbor Airlines (tel 253/851-2381 or 1-800/359-3220) offers flights from Sea-Tac Airport to Friday Harbor, and West Isle Air (tel 360/293-4691 or 1-800/874-4434, ) flies between Anacortes or Bellingham and San Juan and Lopez islands.If you want to catch an early ferry (the first one leaves before 6am) from Anacortes, you may as well stay the night. The Islands Inn , 3401 Commercial Ave (tel 360/293-4644; ; $75-100), is one of several roadside motels , while the grand old 1889 Majestic , 419 Commercial Ave (tel 360/293-3355 or 1-800/950-3323; $100-130), has the best restaurant and bar in Anacortes. Gas on the islands is considerably more expensive than on the mainland, so fuel up before arriving.
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