Compared to the other San Juan Islands, Lummi is a cinch to reach. We are situated less than a mile from the mainland, and in comparison to other WA ferries, our short, less than 10-minute ferry ride is very manageable.
How to Reach the Ferry Dock
Nearby I-5 connects Seattle, Bellingham and Vancouver B.C, and the turn-off to Lummi Island is slightly north of Bellingham at I-5, exit #260. Watch for the sign for "Slater Road" and "Lummi Island". Once off the freeway, turn west, drive about 3 miles to the signal light at Haxton Way and the Silver Reef Casino, and turn left. Continue on Haxton Way through the Lummi Indian Reservation to Gooseberry Point (about 7 miles). Slow down at the reduce speed signs, you are almost there. Cars for the ferry line take turns using the two right-hand lanes, which begin just after the big concrete parking area on the far side of the driveways that access the little store and boat launching site. Often, in response to long lines, the ferry will run back and forth every 20 minutes regardless of the published schedule, so standby.
More About The Ferry
Depending on the weather, the ferry ride from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island is typically between 5-10 minutes. The ferry crew collects round-trip fares on the trip to the island. You can pay with all major credit cards and debit cards with a credit card logo, with the exception of American Express. If you’re on foot or bike, you’ll wait and load at the gate and load as directed.
Resident islanders usually purchase a punch-card for convenience and affordability; with a punch-card, each round-trip is slightly reduced in fee.
Rates for passage are:
VEHICLE WITH DRIVER: $15 single ticket or $12.20 with punchcard
PEDESTRIAN OR PASSENGER: $8 single ticket or $6.60 with punchcard
BICYCLE WITH RIDER: $7
MOTORCYCLE WITH DRIVER: $9
CHILDREN LESS THAN 19 YEARS OLD: Free
Children less than 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
*2018 rates, please check the Whatcom Chief Ferry website for current rates and information. You can also find official county ferry rates for larger vehicles, trailers, and multi-ride passes.
Learn more about the Whatcom County Lummi Island Ferry here. For the most up-to-date information on outages, maintenance information, or other important news, follow the ferry crew on Twitter.
The schedule for the ferry is posted on the ferry dock and is available at The Islander, the Library, and other local businesses. You can also access the full ferry schedule online.
Visit our FAQ page to learn more about the commonly asked ferry-related questions.