Other News
Jun 9, 2026: County Issues Pride Month Proclamation in Recognition of LGBTQIA+ Community in the Islands
Jun 9, 2026: County Council Discusses Budget Priorities and Planning for 2027 Budget Amidst Funding Challenges
Jun 8, 2026: Existing Vacation Rentals in Eastsound & Lopez Village Need a Provisional Use Permit by June 25!
Jun 5, 2026: An Important Message from UW Primary Care Regarding the Transition to Sea Mar Lopez Island Medical Clinic
May 27, 2026: San Juan County Council seeks to fill open positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission!
May 7, 2026: Are You Entering Something in the Fair? Check Out These Important Dates for 2026 Fair Exhibitors!
May 5, 2026: SJC’s Agricultural Resources Committee Hosts Farmer Listening Session on Meat Processing
Apr 23, 2026: County Awards $384,000 in Cultural Access Funding to Local Non-Profit Arts & Culture Organizations
Apr 16, 2026: Special Double Feature - Sitka’s Hidden Wonders and From Sea to Shining Sea - showing April 24
Mar 30, 2026: Locally Supported Meals on Wheels Programs Support Seniors' Ability to Age Well in the Islands
Mar 26, 2026: County Pursues New State Grant & Congressional Funding to Support Public Safety & Infrastructure
Mar 25, 2026: SJC Dept. of Environmental Stewardship Hosts 2026 Hazardous Waste Roundup Events Across the Islands
Mar 25, 2026: Share Your Feedback: County & Partners are Developing Tools to Manage Human/Wildlife Interactions
Mar 23, 2026: Existing Vacation Rentals in Eastsound & Lopez Village Need a Provisional Use Permit by June 25!
Mar 19, 2026: Community Meeting: Provide Feedback on New Facility at Odlin County Park on Lopez Island
Feb 19, 2026: Have Ideas to Improve Building Codes & Permitting? Join the County’s Building Advisory Council
Feb 11, 2026: San Juan County Seeks Pro & Con Committee Members for Levy Lid Lift Statements in Voter’s Guide
Feb 10, 2026: Maintaining Health, Safety & Community Services: Council Places Levy Lid Lift on April Ballot
Feb 9, 2026: County Recognizes MLK Day of Service & the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month with Proclamations
Feb 5, 2026: San Juan County Publishes Guide for Reviewing OPALCO’s Proposed Solar Project on Decatur Island
Feb 4, 2026: County Council Continues Discussing Levy Lid Lift to Maintain County Services at Upcoming Feb. 10 Meeting
Feb 2, 2026: Mid-Sale Reminder: San Juan County Master Gardeners Native Plant Sale Still Open for Online Orders
Jan 26, 2026: Free Best of the Fest Documentary Series Starts with the Best Overall Feature and Short Films on January 30 & 31
Dec 30, 2025: San Juan County 2025 Year-In-Review: Housing Projects, Dental Clinics, Infrastructure Updates & More
Dec 22, 2025: End-of-Year Town Hall Recap with Councilmember Fuller: County Priorities, Challenges, & What’s Ahead
Dec 17, 2025: A Victory for Affordable Housing: County Council Approves Development Agreement for Argyle Project
Dec 16, 2025: From Pilot to Payoff: SJC’s 32HR Work Week Pilot Project Brings Fiscal Savings & Workforce Gains
Dec 15, 2025: San Juan County Resident Camping Reservations Open February 24 - Set Up Your Account Now!
Dec 12, 2025: County Council Passes 2026 Budget but Prepares for Ongoing Financial Discussions in 2027
Dec 12, 2025: San Juan County Opens Cultural Access Application Materials & Recruits for New Review Board
Dec 11, 2025: County Council Adopts 2025 Comp Plan Update - Leaves Several Items for Further Discussion in 2026
Dec 5, 2025: Council Adopts Legislative Priorities for 2026: Infrastructure, Transportation, & Affordable Housing
Dec 3, 2025: County Council Opts for One-Year Budget; Focuses on Adopting 2026 at December 9 Public Hearing
Dec 1, 2025: Notice of Recount: Lopez Park & Rec. Dist. Commissioner No. 5 & Recount Certification Meeting
Nov 18, 2025: County Cuts Budget Deficit by More Than Half; Still Seeks $2M in Strategic Service & Personnel Cuts
Nov 17, 2025: County Recognizes Native American Heritage Month with Proclamation & Affirms Tribal Engagement Efforts
Nov 13, 2025: County Issues Proclamation Recognizing Veteran and Military Families Month This November
Nov 9, 2025: Thank you for the feedback regarding the picnic table at Weeks Point Way and related issues
Nov 5, 2025: U.S. & Canadian Leaders Convene Cross-Border Forum to Strengthen Collaboration & Resilience
Oct 29, 2025: How Do YOU Want to Plan for Sea Level Rise in San Juan County? Join Community Workshops this December
Oct 29, 2025: Looking to Get Involved? Join the Land Bank Commission & Guide Conservation in the Islands!
Oct 17, 2025: WSF Ferry Terminals will Close for 48 Hours in Spring of 2027: What Timing is Best for You?
Oct 14, 2025: County Issues Proclamation in Recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Oct 14, 2025: Building the Team: San Juan County Welcomes New DCD Director, Fire Marshal, and Public Defender
Oct 11, 2025: Dr. Corey Casper’s Official Candidate Statement for Lopez Island Hospital District, Position 2
Oct 8, 2025: Fall 2025 Great Islands Clean-Up Collects Over 1,300 Pounds of Litter Across San Juan County
Oct 6, 2025: San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Acquires 225-acre School Trust Land Parcel on Blakely Island
Sep 25, 2025: Meeting Recap: Community Discusses Sheriff Substation Move on Lopez with County Officials & Staff
Sep 16, 2025: Interested in Learning About the County's Sheriff Substation Move on Lopez? Join us for a Briefing & Feedback Session!
Sep 9, 2025: Rising Tides: Protecting our Homes, Roads, and Habitat - Save The Date for Sea Level Rise Workshops this Fall
Sep 5, 2025: *POSTPONED* Watch Over Yourself Well: Coast Salish Gender, Sexuality, & the Canoe Journey
Aug 29, 2025: Black-tail deer Hunting Season Opens September 1 at Lopez Hill and Mount Grant Preserves
Aug 28, 2025: Free Public Lecture and Field Seminar Growing Old Growth: The Relationships that Define the Future of our Forests
Aug 20, 2025: Meeting Recap: Community Members Discuss County’s Potential Purchase of Decatur Island Property
Aug 19, 2025: San Juan County Awards $815,000 in Public Facilities Assistance Funding to Local Organizations
Aug 14, 2025: ‘Coffee with Kari’ Offers Lopez Islanders a Chance to Meet with Councilmember McVeigh on Sep. 27
Jul 31, 2025: Interested in discussing the potential Property Purchase on Decatur? Join us for a Brown Bag Lunch!
Jul 17, 2025: San Juan County Responds to Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Actions in the Islands
Jul 16, 2025: County Council Discusses Ferry Service with Governor Ferguson at Orcas Community Meeting
Jul 9, 2025: Potential Purchase by the County of Property on Decatur Island to Support Barge Landing Access
Jul 1, 2025: Updated County Fairgrounds Ready to Welcome Summer Picnickers, Fairgoers, Campers, and More
Jun 18, 2025: How Does the New State Budget Impact San Juan County Funding & Programs? Council Reviews Highlights
May 22, 2025: San Juan County Elections Disability Advisory Committee Annual Meeting June 10 at 9:00AM
May 17, 2025: Need Urgent Community Support: Tell Governor Ferguson to Sign HB2049 and Increase Funding for Lopez School
May 16, 2025: One Month Mark: County’s Pilot Transport Services Shows Steady Ridership & Variety of Uses
May 14, 2025: Hazardous Waste Round-Ups: What Lopez and Orcas Residents Need to Know Before Drop-Off Day
May 7, 2025: Auditor Seeks Writers of Argument against Lopez Island Library and Lopez Island School District Ballot Measures
May 2, 2025: Plastic Free Salish Sea Sets Sail with the San Juan Island Yacht Club and Washington State Parks
Apr 25, 2025: New Daily Service Schedule, Growing Ridership & Other Insights on County’s Pilot Transport Services
Apr 24, 2025: Building and Land Use Permits, Long-Range Planning Projects, & Staff Recruitments: DCD Leadership Provides Spring Update
Apr 4, 2025: 2025 Comp Plan Update: Transportation Element, Plan Intro, & Administration Piece Ready for Review
Mar 19, 2025: San Juan County Establishes Interim Inter-Island Transportation Services as RFP Process Continues
Mar 7, 2025: 2025 Comp Plan Update: Climate Element and Draft Official Map Amendments Available for Review
Mar 6, 2025: Governor Ferguson announces plan to restore Washington State Ferries to full service by this summer
Mar 4, 2025: Public Meeting: Land Bank Using Prescribed Fires to Manage Wildfire Risks & Restore Ecosystems
Feb 19, 2025: San Juan County Seeks Proposals from Transportation Service Providers for Pilot Project
Feb 12, 2025: Call for Candidates: Three-Day Special Filing Period for Lopez Metropolitan Park District Commissioners
Jan 19, 2025: Four districts, six unions, three PTAs, and county leadership all agree: legislators must take action to fully fund education no
Dec 19, 2024: San Juan County Parks and Fair Announces New Camping Software; Delaying Reservation Availability
Dec 10, 2024: County Council Considers Extending Agreement with Lopez Solid Waste to Allow for More Collaboration
Dec 5, 2024: San Juan County to Consider Updated Interlocal Agreement with Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District
Dec 2, 2024: San Juan County Council Sets Public Hearing for Cultural Access Sales Tax at Dec. 10 Meeting
Nov 25, 2024: San Juan County Celebrates Completion of Lopez Skate Park and Calls for Inaugural Skaters
Nov 7, 2024: How Has Extreme Weather Impacted You? Participate in the County’s Climate Resilience Planning Effort
Nov 1, 2024: UPDATE: Sea Wall Repairs Temporarily Close MacKaye Harbor Dock and Boat Ramp on Lopez Island
Oct 22, 2024: DRAFT North Shore Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Oct 21, 2024: Reminder: You’re Invited to Attend Open Houses for the 2025 Comp Plan Update This Fall
Oct 1, 2024: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE SAN JUANS SPONSORS OCTOBER COUNTY COUNCIL VOTER FORUMS ON SJI, ORCAS, AND LOPEZ
Sep 24, 2024: County Hosts Community Meeting on Lopez Island to Discuss Public Safety during Hunting Season
Sep 24, 2024: SJC Reviews Shoreline Habitat & Infrastructure Adaptation Strategies in the face of Sea Level Rise
Sep 23, 2024: DRAFT Watmough Bay Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Aug 29, 2024: San Juan County’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Survey Sets Baseline for Ongoing Change
Aug 27, 2024: 2024 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners Gardening Workshop Series, October 15-24, 2024
Aug 27, 2024: County Representatives Discuss Solutions to Ferry Service Disruptions with Governor Inslee
Aug 21, 2024: County Council’s Request to Governor for Relief from Ferry Service Disruptions Not Fulfilled
Aug 20, 2024: San Juan County Certifies Primary Election Results & Celebrates Highest Primary Turnout in Years
Aug 13, 2024: WSF Commits Additional Crews to Interisland Route to Ensure Service During County Fair Week
Aug 13, 2024: Ferry Data from Staff and Local Partners Shapes Council Request for ‘Executive Relief’ From WA State
Aug 5, 2024: The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival returns to Lopez for its 27th Summer Concert Season
May 2, 2024: WA State Governor and Assistant Secretary of WSF Talk Ferry Service & Solar Power with SJC Officials
Apr 11, 2024: Community Meeting: Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas on Lopez Island
Mar 11, 2024: Queers in Unexpected Places: Searching for (and Finding) Gender and Sexual Non-Conformity in the Rural and Early PNW
Mar 7, 2024: DRAFT Richardson Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Dec 5, 2023: County Council Member Jane Fuller and Senator Liz Lovelett to Host Public Meeting on Lopez
Nov 3, 2023: County and Town Send Open Letter to State Officials Regarding Impacts of Poor Ferry Service
Sep 29, 2023: Conservation Land Bank Announces Special Meeting to Discuss Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
Sep 14, 2023: The mobile dental van is coming to Lopez! // ¡La camioneta dental móvil ya llega a López!
Aug 22, 2023: San Juan County Adopts 32-Hour Work Week in the Name of Fiscal Health, Recruitment, and Islander Wellness
May 25, 2023: Recap of Lopez Neighborhood Meeting Regarding the Relocation of Public Works Facilities
May 23, 2023: District 3 Councilmember Jane Fuller Opens Office on Lopez and Hosts Community Conversation
Apr 17, 2023: Give Lopez Starts April 17th - A two week fundraiser benefiting 15 Lopez Island Non-Profits
Sep 22, 2022: Interim Watmough Preserve Addition Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Restoring Faith in the Ferries
Apr 4, 2025
By San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
Updated schedules improving service in the Salish Sea.
When people think of Washington State icons, they often reel off salmon, orcas, Mt. Rainier, and evergreen trees, not necessarily in that order. Washingtonians add one more - those quintessential green and white vessels traveling throughout the Salish Sea - Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the U.S. and fourth largest in the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some weaknesses in the system, but in recent months Washington State Ferries (WSF) has made great strides in short-term solutions that provide more reliable service for ferry-dependent communities like the San Juan Islands. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes had 247 fewer cancellations in 2024 compared to 2023, and the percentage of scheduled trips completed (previously referred to as reliability) was 96.91% for 2024, up from 96.03% in 2023, and WSF’s highest since 2021.
The Anacortes/San Juan Islands winter route schedule was updated for 2025 which has improved the season’s on-time performance from 68.5% in 2024 to 91.1% so far this year. This translates to of the almost 2,100 sailings for the San Juans in January, only 160 departures had a delay. A new summer schedule will be released in April ahead of the season’s two-month release of vehicle reservations. The updated spring timetables will be used again in the fall.
What riders can expect:
- More realistic crossing times and dwell times (how long vessels stay at each terminal between sailings).
- Improved on-time performance and more certainty for customers that boats will arrive and depart on time.
- WSF will monitor the new schedule and vehicle allotments closely. If issues become apparent, WSF is prepared to adjust the schedule.
Both residents and businesses have been pleased with these results and their experiences to date and are looking forward to much smoother sailing this year for their families, friends, and visitors.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated some weaknesses in the system, but in recent months Washington State Ferries (WSF) has made great strides in short-term solutions that provide more reliable service for ferry-dependent communities like the San Juan Islands. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes had 247 fewer cancellations in 2024 compared to 2023, and the percentage of scheduled trips completed (previously referred to as reliability) was 96.91% for 2024, up from 96.03% in 2023, and WSF’s highest since 2021.
The Anacortes/San Juan Islands winter route schedule was updated for 2025 which has improved the season’s on-time performance from 68.5% in 2024 to 91.1% so far this year. This translates to of the almost 2,100 sailings for the San Juans in January, only 160 departures had a delay. A new summer schedule will be released in April ahead of the season’s two-month release of vehicle reservations. The updated spring timetables will be used again in the fall.
What riders can expect:
- More realistic crossing times and dwell times (how long vessels stay at each terminal between sailings).
- Improved on-time performance and more certainty for customers that boats will arrive and depart on time.
- WSF will monitor the new schedule and vehicle allotments closely. If issues become apparent, WSF is prepared to adjust the schedule.
Both residents and businesses have been pleased with these results and their experiences to date and are looking forward to much smoother sailing this year for their families, friends, and visitors.
