Friday Harbor at a glance
Friday Harbor is the stop named on the Washington State Ferries timetable for San Juan Island. It is not the same as the whole island group. The ferry from Anacortes also calls at Lopez, Shaw and Orcas, and the sailings do not all stop at each one.
The town has a marina and the Whale Museum, and ferries and flights arrive here. From Friday Harbor you can join whale watching tours, rent a bike or moped in season, or drive to Lime Kiln Point and Roche Harbor.
How to get to Friday Harbor
The ferry is the main way in. Flights are an alternative, and the direct Seattle passenger boat is not running this year.
| Route | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Anacortes | 70 minutes in the schedule example | Fall 2026 timetable runs Sept. 20 to Dec. 26. Planned time without queues. See the ferry page |
| Seaplane, Seattle to Friday Harbor marina | About 45 minutes | Operator estimate, without check-in or transfers |
| Wheeled plane, Boeing Field to Friday Harbor Airport | About 35 minutes | The same carrier lists daily, year-round service from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor and Eastsound |
| Scheduled flights | – | The airport lists scheduled service to Seattle, Bellingham and Anacortes. One airline lists phone booking for same-day or next-day flights |
| Direct passenger ferry from Seattle | – | Suspended for the 2026 season. Do not plan around it |
Friday Harbor Airport has the code KFHR. On the ground it lists rental cars, taxis and a shuttle. Sea-Tac is a different airport from Boeing Field, so book the ground transfer in advance if you fly in from there.
Our picks: kayaking from Friday Harbor
Three kayak tours on San Juan Island, by day and at sunset.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset kayak tour with a naturalist guide
Four hours with kayak, safety gear, briefing, a naturalist guide and a round-trip shuttle. Bring your own headlamp or flashlight and warm clothing; food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Three-hour sea kayak tour from Friday Harbor
Sea kayak, paddle and safety gear, a beach briefing and a round-trip shuttle are included. Food and drinks are not.
Check availability →
Lime Kiln kayak tour, half or full day
Kayak gear and launch fees at San Juan County Park are included, plus lunch on the full-day option. Getting to San Juan Island and tips are extra.
Check availability →Tours from Friday Harbor
Whale watching, kayaking and day trips that start in or near Friday Harbor, with current prices and availability.
Ferry fares to Friday Harbor in 2026
Fares from Anacortes, in effect since May 1, 2026, without the 3 percent card surcharge that applies since March 1, 2026.
| Fare | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult on foot | $18.00 |
| Senior (65 and over) or rider with a recognized disability | $9.00 |
| Car with driver (14 to under 22 feet) | $64.15 |
| Car with a driver who qualifies for a reduced fare | $55.15 |
Passengers up to age 18 ride free. From May 1 to Sept. 30, vehicles pay a 35 percent surcharge, and bikes cost $4 extra in that season. The state recommends vehicle reservations, which are free and made per direction. Walk-on passengers and bikes do not need one. Full details are on the ferry page.
The Whale Museum
The Whale Museum is the best-known indoor stop in town. Admission is $13 for adults, $9 for seniors aged 65 and over, and $6 for youth aged 6 to 18 and students with ID. Children up to 5 get in free.
The posted hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and the page labels them as the summer schedule. Check the current hours before you go in the off season. The gift shop is dog-friendly, but dogs may not enter the exhibits. Groups of 10 or more should ask about group offers. The whale watching page explains what to look for on the water.
Getting around San Juan Island
Bikes, mopeds and rental cars are the usual ways to cover the island's roads. Susie's Mopeds, at 125 Nichols St., lists mopeds, Scoot Coupes, Chevy Trackers, e-bikes and an Island Buggy, with posted hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Discovery Adventure Tours rents hybrid and e-assist bikes with helmet, lock and a tire repair kit, and you can return them after the office closes at no extra charge. Only Class 1 e-bikes without a throttle are offered. The listed rates are $70 for the first e-bike day and $60 for each further day, and $40 for the first hybrid day and $25 afterward. Discovery has ended its 2026 operations and returns in 2027, so check what is still available before you plan on a bike. Ask Susie's about its season too.
The resort at Roche Harbor puts the drive from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal at about 20 minutes, a planning value rather than a promise.
American Camp and English Camp
San Juan Island National Historical Park has two parts, American Camp and English Camp. There is no entrance fee, and parking at the trailheads and lots and access to open visitor centers are free. You do not need a Discover Pass for these sites.
The grounds and outdoor exhibits at both camps are open 24 hours a day. The American Camp Visitor Center is open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from the week of Oct. 25 it switches to Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It closes for the season on Nov. 12, 2026 and is announced to reopen in March 2027. The visitor center covers Coast Salish history, its ecology and the Pig War. English Camp keeps traces of the British occupation.
Next stops from Friday Harbor
The island has more to offer once you have a car or bike.
Friday Harbor: frequently asked questions
Is Friday Harbor the same as San Juan Island?
No. Friday Harbor is the main town and the ferry stop on San Juan Island. The San Juan Islands are a whole group, including Orcas and Lopez, and each island has its own ferry stop.
How long is the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor?
The fall 2026 timetable shows 70 minutes for the Anacortes to Friday Harbor example. That is the planned time, without waiting in the queue. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early with a vehicle.
Is there a ferry from Seattle to Friday Harbor?
Not in 2026. The direct passenger service was suspended for the season. You can drive to Anacortes, which takes at least 2.5 hours from Sea-Tac, or fly with a seaplane or wheeled plane.
Do I need a car in Friday Harbor?
The sights on the rest of the island are spread out. Rental cars, taxis and a shuttle are listed at the airport, and bikes and mopeds are rented in town during the season.
Is the national historical park free?
Yes. American Camp and English Camp charge no entrance fee, and parking at the open lots is free.
What does the Whale Museum cost?
$13 for adults, $9 for seniors from 65, $6 for youth aged 6 to 18 and students with ID, and free for children up to 5.