Port Townsend - San Juan Island Passenger Ferry
The official Washington State passenger ferry route connects the Olympic Peninsula with San Juan Island.
May 1 – September 21, 2025
Departs Port Townsend at 9am
Departs Friday Harbor between 1-3pm
(must call to confirm departure time)
One Way Fares
Adult: $55.50; Child (2-10): $35; Infants: FREE
Bicycle/Kayak: $15 each (sorry, no e-bikes allowed)
One-way tickets are valid for split day travel only – e.g. travel on Friday and return on Sunday. Cannot be used for round trip travel on the same calendar day (see below).
DURATION
Variable. Departure time from Friday Harbor is variable each day, and ranges from 1-3pm. Guests are required to call our office by 12pm to find that day’s exact departure time.
Travel between two of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic destinations! This official Washington state ferry route connects Port Townsend and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. We most often sail the Red Head for this tour.
Whale watching guarantee does not apply on one-way trips.
IMPORTANT: For the ferry service, you are actually joining a whale watching tour for each leg of the journey. The full day whale watching tour has a 2 hour port of call for lunch in Friday Harbor. Because we stop in Friday Harbor, locals and travelers use us as a ferry service. However our arrival and departure time in Friday Harbor changes daily as it is dependent on where the whales are located. Our arrival window in Friday Harbor is between 11:00-1:00pm. Subsequently, our departure window is between 1:00pm-3:00pm. If you are looking to go up and back on the same day you would need to book our full day whale watching tour and enjoy the 2 hour port of call in Friday Harbor. Otherwise if you are splitting your days of travel you can book the one way tickets on two separate days.
The Hanke Family
from our family to yours
Three generations of our family have helped visitors have life-changing experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. We’re blessed to live in what’s been called “the American Serengeti,” with some of the highest concentration of whales and dolphins and sea life anywhere in the world — including our totem species, the orca. Few people know these waters like we do. Enjoy and welcome to one of the Earth’s magical places.
Whale-wise Whale Watching
Puget Sound Express is a proud member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), dedicated to responsible, sustainable marine wildlife viewing and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. We’re also dedicated to reducing our footprint out there. The Saratoga and Swiftsure are sound-proofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Things to Know
Port Townsend Departure Location
227 Jackson Street, Port Townsend, WA
We are located in downtown Port Townsend at the Point Hudson marina.
Checking-in (Port Townsend)
Passengers must be checked-in no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. If you are traveling from out of the area please bear in mind that ferries and bridge openings can make the trip slightly longer than map and GPS software might indicate!
Friday Harbor Departure Location
Spring Street Landing, Friday Harbor, WA
Our boat docks at Spring Street Landing, the dock that is to the left of the WSF ferry terminal.
Checking-in (Friday Harbor)
Travelers must call our office (360-385-5288) no later than 12:30pm to find that day’s exact departure time, and be at the dock no later than 15 minutes before departure. Due to stringent departure requirements, late arrivals will be cancelled with no refunds.
Changes/Cancellations
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to a tour’s departure time. A tour is confirmed when a confirmation email has been received OR payment has been processed. Prior to 48 hours from departure, any cancellation of a confirmed reservation is fully refundable, less a $10 processing fee. Inside of 48 hours to departure, reservations are non-refundable. This includes all tours booked online within 48 hours of departure.
Rescheduling
Outside of 48 hours from the tour, rescheduling can be made at any time. Inside of 48 hours to the tour, rescheduling can be requested and at the discretion of the office and upcoming availability to approve. If approved a $10/person change fee is charged to the booking.
Motion Sickness
The waterways we travel on are relatively calm, and our boats are quite stable and comfortable. However if you are prone to motion sickness we strongly recommend preparing for your trip with us. Over the counter remedies like Dramamine work best when used prior to departure. Learn more.
Are you traveling with an infant?
Children under the age of 2 can travel for free; however, if the boat is full that day, your child will be required to sit on your lap. You also have the option of purchasing a child’s rate ticket to ensure seating for your infant. NOTE: Infants must be included in your reservation.
Parking
Parking is available next to our office in a paid lot. It is $12/day and there is a sign at the entrance for the parking lot with a QR code. With your phone scan the QR code and enter your details along with your license plate number. No cash transaction available. This lot is small with only 11 spaces. Paid parking is by the day so you are welcome to leave your car there pre/post the tour to go explore downtown.
Additional parking is located 2 blocks north of our office. As you drive by the office, feel free to pull over, let families, children or elderly out to wait while the driver parks the vehicle. They can also check in while the driver is parking. Continue past our office to the first STOP sign. Go STRAIGHT on the road and continue past all the vessels hauled out until you reach pavement again. At that point look for a Puget Sound Express parking sign on your right. Park anywhere in that lot that is not previously reserved. Parking here is $10/day and is also done via your phone with a QR code. Enter your contact details and license plate number. Parking is paid by the day so you can leave your car here pre/post the tour to explore downtown.
Latest News
A 14 Whale Day!
11 orcas, 3 grays, 1 rogue buoy, and shrimpers! It felt like we saw it all on our May 21, 2025 Seattle (Edmonds) half-day tour. 11 Bigg's killer whales (T124A2s, T124Ds, T100s, T49A2) were together north of Edmonds racing northbound before making a U-turn to take a...
Email Newsletter
Get the latest updates on the whales we’re seeing as well as tour updates and announcements. We send 1-2 emails/month. We respect your time and privacy; we will never share your email.