Welcome to Skagit County

April 30, 2026

Guemes Island Ferry Pier-Side Maintenance to Begin May 4

The next scheduled maintenance period for the Guemes Island Ferry will be May 4 - May 17, 2026. The Skagit Board of County Commissioners signed Resolution R20260059 on March 23, 2026, awarding the bid to Stabbert Marine & Industrial for $175,014.

The final car ferry run will depart Anacortes at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3^rd and return from Guemes approximately 8 minutes later. Passenger-only service will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4^th and will run on the ferry's regular non-peak sailing schedule.

The U.S. Coast Guard requires the County to replace four small sections of steel on the vessel deck forward of the car deck. Other maintenance items will be addressed during this time as well, including a full replacement of wiring connected to the transmission controls that caused a shutdown in June 2025. If you would like to read more specific information about the scheduled maintenance items, please view the April 2026 Ferry Newsletter.

To sign up for news and alerts about the ferry, please visit www.skagitcounty.net/ferry.

Passenger-Only Service

During the haul-out, Arrow Launch will provide passenger-only ferry service between the regular ferry docks in Anacortes and on Guemes Island. The foot ferry will operate on the same non-peak sailing schedule as the regular car ferry. Schedules and fares can be found HERE.

The passenger vessel, the Strait Arrow, can accommodate up to 49 passengers, bicycles, and small motorcycles on a space-available basis at the Captain's discretion. All pets shall be on leash or in a crate/kennel at all times. Wheelchairs will be available for those who require assistance. If you'd like to call our office in advance, please dial (360) 416-1466.

Skagit Transit Shuttle Information

There will be no Skagit Transit shuttle transportation on Guemes Island during the pier-side maintenance period. Skagit County and Skagit Transit discussed transportation options for Guemes Island while the car ferry is out in May. Following a review of this year's ferry maintenance period, Skagit Transit determined it cannot support operating a temporary shuttle due to fleet availability and island infrastructure constraints.

Parking Information

For your convenience, the Guemes Island Ferry offers 3 parking lots: two are located in Anacortes and one is on Guemes Island just north of the ferry terminal. Parking is free in any of our lots or you may park on city streets. Please pay attention to signage in the area indicating no parking or permit-only parking. On most city streets, unless otherwise signed, the time limit is 72 hours. Five-minute loading and unloading parking is available immediately to the south of the Anacortes Terminal.

The Guemes Island parking area will be signed to require parallel parking during the maintenance period to accommodate additional A.D.A. parking spots. Cars will not be permitted to angle park along the roadside as this also creates a safety hazard for passing vehicles.

Please obey all traffic laws. The City of Anacortes Police & Skagit County Sheriff Department will be monitoring the area and may issue parking citations. We advise not parking your vehicle for extended periods of time. Please do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. If you choose to park in county parking lots, you are doing so at your own risk. If you only need to leave the island once per week or a couple of times during the maintenance period, we recommend making other arrangements to avoid leaving your vehicle long-term.

2026 Pier-Side Maintenance FAQs

Where do I catch the passenger-only boat?
You'll catch the passenger-only boat at the same Ferry Dock location - 500 I Avenue, Anacortes. Passenger-only service will be provided by Arrow Launch. The 49-passenger vessel, Strait Arrow, will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and will run on the non-peak Guemes Island Ferry schedule; reservations are not accepted.
Is there a charge for the passenger-only service?
Yes. The fares will be charged in accordance with the ferry's non-peak fare schedule which can be found at skagitcounty.net/ferry. Tickets can be purchased online, via the ferry app, or at the kiosk in the ferry terminal lobby. The ferry will transition to peak season on May 20, following the return of the car ferry service. For those wishing to pre-purchase for the peak season, peak season tickets will go on sale May 6. As a reminder, all tickets purchased in 2026 will be valid through 12/31/2026.
What is the sailing schedule for passenger-only service?
The ferry will operate on its non-peak sailing schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The schedule is available online at skagitcounty.net/ferry.
Can I bring my bicycle or motorcycle onboard the passenger boat?
The passenger-only boat can accommodate bicycles. Small motorbikes and motorcycles will be allowed on a space-available basis at the captain's discretion. As a reminder, Bicycle & Rider or Motorcycle & Rider tickets will be required for bicycle or motorcycle riders.
Can I bring gasoline or propane containers on the passenger boat?
Portable containers of gasoline and propane, even if they are empty, are not allowed to be carried on the passenger-only boat. There will be no regularly scheduled HAZMAT runs during the pier-side maintenance period.
What if I need to get my vehicle on or off the Island during the ferry shut down?
If you need to transport a vehicle between Anacortes and Guemes Island during the ferry pier-side maintenance, you will need to make your own arrangements. Two local companies that may be able to assist are Island Transport and San Juan Marine Freight Company.
What should I do if there is an emergency?
If you have an emergency, dial 911 right away. For more information on emergency services, please contact your local fire department.
If I want to talk to someone about the ferry outage, who do I contact?
Please contactRachel Rowe, Ferry Operations Division Manager
Email: ferrycomments@co.skagit.wa.us
Phone: (360) 416-1466