Travel Information

Location of Wildlife Cycles:

Washington State Ferries

The Washington State Ferry is the most practical and least expensive way for most cyclists to reach Orcas. The ferry system runs car/passenger/bicycle boats to the islands from a mainland terminal in Anacortes, about 80 miles from Seattle.

To get to the Anacortes terminal from Seattle, take Interstate 5 north past Mount Vernon and exit onto Highway 20 at Burlington. Highway 20 (called Spur 20 on the signs) takes you straight into Anacortes, where you can follow the signs to the ferry.

The ferries get extremely busy during the summertime, and overloads are common, meaning that late arrivals have to wait in line for the next boat. If you plan to drive a vehicle onto a ferry bound for Orcas, be sure to arrive at the Anacortes terminal at least two hours before sailing time. On Fridays in June, July and August, try to arrive three hours ahead of sailing if you plan to board with a vehicle. The same advice applies to return trips on Sundays. Passengers traveling on foot or with a bicycle are far less likely to be bumped but should still arrive in plenty of time.

Washington State Ferries Links

Airporter Shuttle

If you fly into Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport, you can ride the Bellair Airporter Shuttle to Anacortes, where you can walk on an Orcas-bound ferry. Call the Shuttle at (800) 235-5247 or go to their website for schedule and fare information.

Tip for cyclists: If you're in good shape and ride a fair amount, you can enjoy the San Juans a lot more if you leave your car at the Anacortes terminal and bike onto the ferry. Often, the lower parking lot will be jammed with cars, but the upper lots, about half a mile away from the terminal, are seldom full. From these lots, it's a lazy downhill run to the boat.

San Juan County Fair alert

Each year on the third weekend of August the town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island hosts the San Juan County Fair. Ferry traffic increases greatly durign Fair Week, and even inter-island boats can have long wait times. Please plan accordingly.

Victoria Clipper passenger ferry

Here is a fun and scenic way to get to the San Juans in teh summer: the Victoria Clipper runs comfortable, speedy passenger boats between Seattle, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and Victoria, B.C., every day from May 21 to September 6, with weekend service only from September 7 until September 26.

Traveling by air

Air travel is an attractive option for vacationers who are pressed for time and aren't bringing their own bikes. The Eastsound airport is located about a mile north of town, and, while it's hardly a major hub, it works fine for the small, Cessna-type aircraft that convey people to and from the San Juans.

San Juan Airlines and Kenmore Air offer scheduled flights from Seattle to the San Juan Islands.

If you plan to travel by air, Wildlife Cycles can help. We can reserve rental bikes for your party, or we can arrange to receive your bike via UPS and assemble it prior to your arrival. In fact, if we know when you're coming in, we can have your bike waiting for you at the Eastsound airport. When you're ready to leave, we'll disassemble your bike and ship it back to your home. Our fee for this service (both assembly and disassembly) is $25 in addition to the UPS shipping charges. Email us or call us at (360) 376-4708.

Transportation on the island

One of our favorite businesses on the island is the Orcas Island Shuttle: 360-376-RIDE. Other than pedaling, it's the next best to get around the island, and each bus is equipped to carry 10 bikes.

The homespun taxi services on Orcas tend to go in and out of business, but the current operator, Orcas Island Taxi, has been in business for over four years now. They can be reached for pickups or reservations at (360) 376-TAXI. On the occasions when we have used the service, we found it prompt, reliable and reasonably priced.

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			Wildlife Cycles 350 North Beach Road Eastsound, WA 98245 360.376.4708 Email us Directions

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		Travel Information Location of Wildlife Cycles: View Larger Map Washington State Ferries The Washington State Ferry is the most practical and least expensive way for most cyclists to reach Orcas. The ferry system runs car/passenger/bicycle boats to the islands from a mainland terminal in Anacortes, about 80 miles from Seattle. To get to the Anacortes terminal from Seattle, take Interstate 5 north past Mount Vernon and exit onto Highway 20 at Burlington. Highway 20 (called Spur 20 on the signs) takes you straight into Anacortes, where you can follow the signs to the ferry. The ferries get extremely busy during the summertime, and overloads are common, meaning that late arrivals have to wait in line for the next boat. If you plan to drive a vehicle onto a ferry bound for Orcas, be sure to arrive at the Anacortes terminal at least two hours before sailing time. On Fridays in June, July and August, try to arrive three hours ahead of sailing if you plan to board with a vehicle. The same advice applies to return trips on Sundays. Passengers traveling on foot or with a bicycle are far less likely to be bumped but should still arrive in plenty of time. Washington State Ferries Links San Juan Islands schedule Ferry Fares Anacortes Terminal alerts & cameras Orcas Terminal alerts & camera Real-time Ferry VesselWatch Airporter Shuttle If you fly into Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport, you can ride the Bellair Airporter Shuttle to Anacortes, where you can walk on an Orcas-bound ferry. Call the Shuttle at (800) 235-5247 or go to their website for schedule and fare information. Tip for cyclists: If you're in good shape and ride a fair amount, you can enjoy the San Juans a lot more if you leave your car at the Anacortes terminal and bike onto the ferry. Often, the lower parking lot will be jammed with cars, but the upper lots, about half a mile away from the terminal, are seldom full. From these lots, it's a lazy downhill run to the boat. San Juan County Fair alert Each year on the third weekend of August the town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island hosts the San Juan County Fair. Ferry traffic increases greatly durign Fair Week, and even inter-island boats can have long wait times. Please plan accordingly. Victoria Clipper passenger ferry Here is a fun and scenic way to get to the San Juans in teh summer: the Victoria Clipper runs comfortable, speedy passenger boats between Seattle, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and Victoria, B.C., every day from May 21 to September 6, with weekend service only from September 7 until September 26. Traveling by air Air travel is an attractive option for vacationers who are pressed for time and aren't bringing their own bikes. The Eastsound airport is located about a mile north of town, and, while it's hardly a major hub, it works fine for the small, Cessna-type aircraft that convey people to and from the San Juans. San Juan Airlines and Kenmore Air offer scheduled flights from Seattle to the San Juan Islands. If you plan to travel by air, Wildlife Cycles can help. We can reserve rental bikes for your party, or we can arrange to receive your bike via UPS and assemble it prior to your arrival. In fact, if we know when you're coming in, we can have your bike waiting for you at the Eastsound airport. When you're ready to leave, we'll disassemble your bike and ship it back to your home. Our fee for this service (both assembly and disassembly) is $25 in addition to the UPS shipping charges. Email us or call us at (360) 376-4708. Transportation on the island One of our favorite businesses on the island is the Orcas Island Shuttle: 360-376-RIDE. Other than pedaling, it's the next best to get around the island, and each bus is equipped to carry 10 bikes. The homespun taxi services on Orcas tend to go in and out of business, but the current operator, Orcas Island Taxi, has been in business for over four years now. They can be reached for pickups or reservations at (360) 376-TAXI. On the occasions when we have used the service, we found it prompt, reliable and reasonably priced.

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