We are arriving Vancouver Island on the Coho Ferry from Port Angeles. We will see some of the Olympic Peninsula before our trip to Victoria. We need to decide how to return to the Seattle airport. We are thinking of taking a car ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. We are choosing this option because we would get to see the San Juan Islands. The schedule says the ferry leaves Sidney at 11:35 and arrives Anacortes at 1:40. I assume this is correct, though somewhere on this forum I read that it would take 3 hrs. for the trip. Not sure how long the drive from Anacortes to Seatac will take, but our flight is not til 6:00. Any thoughts about our choice?

Hi cpcd - I was the one who said 3 hours. The sailing you are on is correct at 1:40 arrival. It depends on which way you are going and the time of year. The ferry stops at different islands coming and going so the times do vary depending on the direction. I think that it was the winter schedule that has the long time on one of the crossings as it only goes once a day. You will have immigration prior to boarding and customs on the US side. That shouldn't take much time at all so you will have plenty of time for your drive. It is approx 2 hours to Seatac depending on traffic.

imo you are taking a big risk to plan on taking a ferry the same day that you're flying home--i don't advise that at all. if you can't change your plans to turn your trip around and go to victoria first then the olympic peninsula, then i'd strongly urge you to take the bc ferries instead of the wa state ferries, as they start much earlier in the morning and go every hour. see the gulf islands instead and keep your blood pressure lower than you would by cutting it so close by taking the ferry to anacortes!

Thanks for the info. Now I really don't know what to do? Can't make changes at his time. Anyone else have an opinion?

If you are concerned about time I recommend returning on the Coho. You would be back at PA around noon if you catch the 10:30 am sailing and then just 2 - 2 1/2 hours back to the airport. I don't recommend BC ferries because you don't know how long the border wait will be and you have far more traffic to contend with on that route.

Traveller, so the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes would be a BC ferry? If we take the Coho, where would customs be Port Angeles?? If we take the Coho back, than we are considering a day trip to the San Juan Islands. Any suggestions? Are orcas viewable on these trips or do I need to take a whaling trip dedicated to viewing orcas and which would you suggest?

Hi cpcd - No the Anacortes ferry is Washington state ferries. I was making reference to NWwanderers suggestion of taking BC Ferries back to the mainland and driving to Seattle from there. On the Coho you do Immigration in Victoria prior to boarding and Customs in P/A when you disembark.

I would suggest doing a separate whale watching tour
http://www.princeofwhales.com/
http://www.orcaspirit.com/
http://springtidecharters.com/
You can check with any of these companies and see where they are spotting the orca - you may be able to see the gulf islands at the same time.

When are you planning on visiting?

We will be there July 16-24th, from what I've read orcas are around at that time of year. We have lots of great whale watching here on Cape Cod, but I've never seen an orca! Thanks for all the info.

yes, it's probably better to take the coho again rather than dealing with the uncertainties of the border. take the 10:30 ferry and make a reservation now. i was thinking in terms of you getting the scenery through the gulf islands--similar to the san juans--from the bc ferries route and not doing the same route twice, but it's probably not worth the stress unless you're willing to take a very early morning ferry.

as mentioned above, you can see orcas from victoria, no need to go to san juan island for whale watching. the boats from both places go to see the same resident pods.