Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries is more than a transportation system — it is one of the defining experiences of life in the Pacific Northwest. Operating since 1951, WSF is the largest ferry system in the United States by number of vehicles carried, running a fleet of vessels across ten routes that connect communities throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. For millions of Washington residents and visitors, riding the ferry is simply part of life — a daily commute, a weekend escape, or a journey that happens to be one of the most beautiful boat rides in the country.

The green-and-white Washington State Ferry vessels are an iconic sight on Puget Sound — instantly recognizable silhouettes moving steadily between forested shores, with the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade peaks to the east. Whether you're a commuter making the crossing for the hundredth time or a first-time visitor stepping aboard with your car for a trip to Whidbey Island, the ferry crossing offers a genuine pause in the day — a moment of open water, salt air, and the particular peace that comes from being on a boat in one of the world's most beautiful waterways.

There is a particular quality to the Washington State Ferry crossing that is hard to describe until you've experienced it. You drive onto the car deck — an enormous, echoing steel space smelling of salt water and diesel — park your car, and climb the stairs to the passenger decks above. The engines rumble, the dock lines are cast off, and the boat swings smoothly away from the terminal. Within minutes, you're on open water.

Most passengers head immediately to the outdoor observation deck at the bow or stern. The views, even on grey winter days, are extraordinary — forested shores, distant mountain ranges, seabirds riding the wake, and the ever-changing light of Puget Sound. On clear days, the Olympic Mountains appear to float above the water to the west, snow-capped and improbably large. Other passengers find a window seat in the passenger cabin, grab a coffee from the onboard galley, and settle in to read or work. The crossing passes quickly — 20 to 30 minutes on the Whidbey routes — but somehow always feels like enough time to reset and arrive somewhere genuinely different.

Two Washington State Ferry routes serve Whidbey Island, each offering a different crossing experience and connecting to different parts of the island. Choosing the right route depends on where you're coming from and which part of Whidbey you want to explore first.

The Mukilteo–Clinton ferry is the primary gateway to Whidbey Island and one of the busiest short crossings in the Washington State Ferries system. It's a 20-minute journey across Possession Sound — the body of water separating the mainland from the southern tip of Whidbey — and for many visitors, it's their first experience of a Washington State Ferry.

The Mukilteo terminal sits in the historic waterfront town of Mukilteo, just north of Everett and south of Edmonds on the mainland shore. The ferry terminal is adjacent to the Mukilteo Lighthouse (1906) — a charming wooden lighthouse that makes for excellent photographs while you wait in the car line. Arrive 20–30 minutes before your intended sailing on weekdays, and 45–60 minutes on summer weekends when the ferry queue can extend well down the main road.

Washington State Ferry vessels are large, well-appointed boats designed for comfortable multi-crossing days. The main passenger vessels on the Mukilteo–Clinton run can carry over 200 vehicles and more than 2,000 passengers. Here's how to make the most of your time on board.

The ferry crossing is an excellent wildlife-watching platform — you're moving quietly through habitat that supports a remarkable range of species. The bow deck is the best wildlife-spotting position on the boat.

Seabirds are constant companions on any crossing — rhinoceros auklets, common murres, pigeon guillemots, and various gulls all use the waters of Puget Sound year-round. In winter, large rafts of scoters and grebes often float in the shipping lanes. Binoculars are always rewarded on a Washington State Ferry crossing.

Fares are collected westbound only (Mukilteo to Clinton). The return trip (Clinton to Mukilteo) is free. This is one of the most visitor-friendly aspects of WSF — you only pay once for the round trip.

Fares are approximate and subject to change. Check wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for current fares. ORCA card provides a small discount on passenger fares. Vehicle fares include the driver; additional passengers pay walk-on fare.

Washington State Ferries operates 22 vessels across its routes — a fleet that ranges from the enormous Olympic-class "superferries" on the busy Seattle–Bainbridge and Seattle–Bremerton routes (capable of carrying 2,500 passengers and 202 vehicles) to the smaller Issaquah-class boats that serve routes like Mukilteo–Clinton. All vessels share the same distinctive green-and-white color scheme and the graceful, workmanlike design that has characterized the WSF fleet since the 1950s.

The vessels serving the Mukilteo–Clinton route are typically Issaquah-class boats — medium-sized ferries with capacity for around 1,500 passengers and up to 124 vehicles. They are double-ended (bow and stern are interchangeable) so they never need to turn around — the captain simply walks from one bridge to the other at each terminal. This design, used throughout the WSF fleet, is both practical and elegant.