Last updated: November 25, 2022
Place
Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal
Kim Karu
Quick Facts
Location:
Friday Harbor, WA
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
9 listed
Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Ferry - Passenger, Ferry - Vehicle, Food/Drink - Snacks, Pets Allowed, Restroom, Wheelchair Accessible
Coast Salish people have travelled through the waters surrounding San Juan Island since time immemorial. During The Pig War, the channels that separate the San Juan Islands became a contested territory, nearly sparking an international war. During the homesteading period, maritime transport allowed the agricultural and lime industry of this otherwise isolated island to international American and international markets.
Today, the Washington State Ferries, a state agency, provides regular transportation to and from San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Islands in the San Juans and the gateway community of Anacortes on the mainland.Prior to the establishment of the Washington State Ferry in 1951, maritime transport required either private boat ownership or travelling one of many small private ships known collectively as “the mosquito fleet.”
By the 1930s, almost all the car ferries in the state were operated by one private company, The Puget Sound Navigation Company. Employee strikes and rate hikes by this perceived monopoly rankled the public and the state government negotiated a public takeover of The Puget Sound Navigation Company, resulting in the creation of the Washington State Ferries system on June 1, 1951.
The Washington State Ferries system is the largest ferry system in terms of usage and vessels maintained in the United States. The San Juan Island Ferry is techincally designated as a maritime segment of the Washington State Highway system. Over 2,000,000 people use the San Juan Islands section of the ferry system annually, making it a vital service to island residents and visitors alike. As you travel on the ferry keep your eyes peeled; you're almost guaranteed to see birds, harbor seals, sea lions, and, if you're lucky, an Orca!
Today, the Washington State Ferries, a state agency, provides regular transportation to and from San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Islands in the San Juans and the gateway community of Anacortes on the mainland.Prior to the establishment of the Washington State Ferry in 1951, maritime transport required either private boat ownership or travelling one of many small private ships known collectively as “the mosquito fleet.”
By the 1930s, almost all the car ferries in the state were operated by one private company, The Puget Sound Navigation Company. Employee strikes and rate hikes by this perceived monopoly rankled the public and the state government negotiated a public takeover of The Puget Sound Navigation Company, resulting in the creation of the Washington State Ferries system on June 1, 1951.
The Washington State Ferries system is the largest ferry system in terms of usage and vessels maintained in the United States. The San Juan Island Ferry is techincally designated as a maritime segment of the Washington State Highway system. Over 2,000,000 people use the San Juan Islands section of the ferry system annually, making it a vital service to island residents and visitors alike. As you travel on the ferry keep your eyes peeled; you're almost guaranteed to see birds, harbor seals, sea lions, and, if you're lucky, an Orca!