A new walk-on ferry service connecting Anacortes and the San Juan Islands has launched on a 10-week trial basis, offering free passenger-only transportation as local officials explore alternatives to the region’s unreliable state-run ferry system.
Funded by a $1.5 million emergency grant from the state, the pilot service offers two roundtrips daily using a chartered whale-watching vessel, Sea Lion, stopping at Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Friday Harbor. The goal is to assess the feasibility of a county-operated alternative amid continued frustrations over Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) service disruptions in recent years.
“This is a big deal,” said San Juan County Council Chair Kari McVeigh, who joined the inaugural voyage. “Until islanders feel the state ferry system is reliable again, exploring other options is essential.”
Operated by San Juan Safaris, the 55-foot Sea Lion carries up to 35 passengers for now, with indoor seating provided. Captain Brian Goodremont noted the service would likely benefit locals most during spring, with tourists expected to take greater interest by summer.
Although the ferry bypasses Shaw Island due to a lack of docking facilities, riders from other islands can reach downtown Anacortes’s Cap Sante Marina, which offers walkable access to shops, restaurants, and medical services—unlike the car-centric state ferry terminal.
To complement the new route, the county has also partnered with another tour operator to provide standby emergency water taxi service between islands, triggered when WSF interisland routes are offline for more than four hours. Both contracts are scheduled to end June 30.
WSF officials have recently reported progress in restoring service reliability, citing restored staffing and reduced cancellations. Yet local leaders remain cautious about long-term solutions.
Looking ahead, the county plans to survey passengers during the trial to gauge interest in permanent foot ferry service. However, maintaining such a route would require ongoing funding. The current daily cost for the pilot is over $7,600—an unsustainable rate without external support.
Efforts to secure long-term backing, including a proposed state bill dubbed the “Mosquito Fleet Act,” failed to gain traction in the Legislature this year. Senate leaders have prioritized stabilizing the core WSF network, citing budget constraints.
Federal grant options also appear limited amid a tightened national budget. Establishing a transit district with taxing authority, as Kitsap County once did, is another theoretical path—but one that McVeigh says is not on the table yet.
“This pilot is about testing demand and getting feedback,” she said. “It’s a free ferry ride for now. We’re encouraging residents and visitors to try it out and tell us what they think.”
