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Which boat or bridge should you take?

Arrival Planner

Say where you are starting and which island you want, and get the door that fits: the boat or bridge, what the crossing is like, and what is in reach when you land. Check today's boats on the Washington State Ferries schedule before you drive.

A Washington State ferry crossing at dusk, the Olympic Mountains layered pink behind it
A Clinton-bound ferry against the Olympic Mountains

Four ways in

Every way onto the islands

The Clinton Ferry

By ferry · Mukilteo to Clinton · Whidbey Island

The Clinton dock and its forested hillside seen from the deck of the arriving ferry

Photo: Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  • The crossing itself is around 15 minutes.
  • Service generally begins shortly after 5 a.m. and runs until 1 a.m.
  • Typically two boats serve the route, carrying 120 to 140 vehicles each.
  • You can walk on, and the return trip for walk-on passengers is free.
  • Fridays, especially going into three-day weekends, are prone to backups at the holding lanes.

You disembark in Clinton, the seaside community at the island's south end. Langley, Freeland, Bayview and Greenbank are all up the road from the dock.

What is in reach of Clinton

The Coupeville Ferry

By ferry · Port Townsend to Coupeville · Whidbey Island

The red Coupeville wharf building standing over Penn Cove on its timber pier, visitors gathered at its doors

Photo: Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  • The terminal is not in Coupeville itself: it sits about 3 miles away, next to Fort Casey State Park.
  • Reservations are recommended, made at least a day before you travel.
  • Summer service typically runs two boats; check current vessel status before you go.

You land beside Fort Casey State Park on the island's central reach, with Coupeville, Penn Cove and Ebey's Landing minutes away.

What is in reach of Coupeville

The Deception Pass Bridge

By bridge · State Route 20 over Deception Pass · Whidbey Island

Driftwood beach at Deception Pass with the steel bridge arching over the channel beyond

Photo: King of Hearts (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  • From the south, take I-5 exit 226 and drive about 4 miles to cross the bridge onto Whidbey.
  • The 1935 steel cantilever bridge crosses a genuine tidal rapid; the pullouts on both ends fill early on summer weekends.
  • No ferry, no fare, no schedule. The north door is open whenever you are.

You arrive at the island's north end near Deception Pass State Park, with Oak Harbor about 10 miles south.

What is in reach of Deception Pass

The Camano Gateway Bridge

By bridge · I-5 exit 212 through Stanwood · Camano Island

Beachgoers along the driftwood shore below the bluff on Camano Island, Saratoga Passage stretching behind

Photo: Cody Logan (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  • Take I-5 exit 212 west, pass through Stanwood, and continue over the Camano Gateway Bridge onto the island.
  • You don't have to take a ferry, yet the island has this remote feel even though it's just minutes from the freeway.
  • Amtrak and Sounder rail can drop you at Stanwood, with bus connections to complete your trip.

You cross onto Camano near Utsalady at the island's north end, with the state parks down the west shore.

What is in reach of Camano Gateway

Day of travel

Before you drive

Ferry timetables shift by season, and weekend schedules differ from weekday ones. The sailing you would catch is a fact about today.

Check today's boats on the Washington State Ferries schedule.