Whether it’s your first time to Lopez Island or you have vacationed here your whole life, let’s break down everything you need to know about taking the Lopez Island Ferry from Anacortes in 2023. The Edenwild Boutique Hotel on Lopez Island is here to help you understand ferry travel as only a local can. Let’s go through what you need to know about the Anacortes to Lopez Ferry in 2022! Islanders-Ferry Quotas Below.:)
First-Time Lopez Ferry Riders
Here is a quick rundown for first-time ferry travelers. The Anacortes Ferry Terminal takes people and motor vehicles to and from the San Juan Islands every day of the week. Yes, you can bring your car, and you will want it when you visit most of the islands, especially Lopez. The three major islands are Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan (Friday Harbor), and the first stop is Lopez Island, followed by Orcas and then San Juan Island.
Finding the Lopez Island Ferry Schedule
You can view the ferry schedule for all Anacortes/ San Juan Islands on the Washington State Ferry website, but many people find it confusing. We recommend downloading the Ferry App on your phone. It allows you to select your departure and arrival locations customized to your specific travel dates. The App lists all available ferry sailings each day. The app and ferry website will only show you the current schedule and is automatically updated as schedules change with the Seasons. You will want to be in line for the ferry line at least an hour early.
Making a Lopez Island Ferry Reservation
We think it’s a good idea to make a ferry reservation when visiting Lopez Island. We are currently on the Spring Schedule, so you won’t be able to make your summer reservations yet. Reservations spots are released in batches 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days prior to sailing. So if no spaces are left two weeks before your desired sailing, more spaces will open up 2 days before the sailing. While we recommend making a reservation, there are always drive-up spaces on each boat if you don’t make one. You can make a reservation on the ferry website or through the app. Even with a reservation, you must arrive at least 40 minutes early to claim your reservation. Also, remember that you can’t make a reservation back to Anacortes from Lopez Island. Returning to the mainland is on a first-come, first-serve basis. An hour’s lead time is usually all you need, but we recommend more time for busy holiday travel. Below are the Winter Car Quotas. The fewer spaces, the more lead time you will need to make it on the ferry home.
Lopez to Anacortes Ferry Schedule and Car Quotas (December 31 through March 25, 2024)
| Time | Note | Cars |
| 6:30am | 45-55 | |
| 7:30am | 25-35 | |
| 9:30am | 20-25 | |
| 10:40am | 30-40 | |
| 1:35pm | 75/85 | |
| 3:05pm | Sunday/Holiday | 35-40 |
| 5:00pm | 15-20 | |
| 7:10pm | 25-30 | |
| 8:25pm | 30-35 |
Ferry Alerts and Where to Find Them
It’s pretty common to have the Lopez ferry running late or be on a slightly modified schedule. If you download the ferry app, you will be able to see all the ferry alerts by clicking the triangle with the emoji on the top right corner of the screen. The alerts will tell you how long you should expect to be delayed.
We hope this helps clear up some of the questions you have about taking the Lopez Island Ferry. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you still need a little help. Check out the San Juan Islands Ferry Schedule What to Know to learn more about the island ferry system. We can’t wait until you visit Lopez Island!
