The North Puget Sound has a way of making you forget there's a highway nearby. Standing on the Mukilteo ferry dock at dusk, watching the last light hit Whidbey Island across the water, you realize the best way to understand this region isn't from a car window. It's from the bow of a boat.
If you're already in Everett, or planning to stay here, you're sitting at one of the best launchpads for ferry-based day trips in Washington State. The Mukilteo ferry terminal is just fifteen minutes south of downtown Everett. Kingston, a charming little harbor town on the Kitsap Peninsula, is reachable by a quick Edmonds ferry connection. And for the more adventurous, the San Juan Islands are a ferry ride away from Anacortes, about an hour north.
TL;DR: The best ferry day trips from Everett, WA are the Mukilteo-to-Clinton crossing to Whidbey Island (15 minutes from Everett, 20 minutes on the water), the Edmonds-to-Kingston run to the Kitsap Peninsula (about 30 minutes south of Everett), and the Anacortes-to-San Juan Islands ferry (about 75 minutes north). All three make excellent full-day excursions from a North Puget Sound home base.
Which Ferry Routes Are Closest to Everett, WA?
Three Washington State Ferry routes sit within easy reach of Everett, and each one delivers a completely different kind of day.
Mukilteo to Clinton (Whidbey Island) is the closest and most popular. The ferry terminal is in the town of Mukilteo, about 15 minutes from downtown Everett via Highway 526. Crossings run roughly every 30 minutes during peak hours, the boat ride takes about 20 minutes, and you arrive in Clinton on the south end of Whidbey Island. Round-trip fares are inexpensive (under $15 for a walk-on passenger as of 2024, always check Washington State Ferries for current pricing). This is the route most Everett visitors take, and it earns that popularity.
Edmonds to Kingston puts you on the Kitsap Peninsula in about 30 minutes on the water. Edmonds is roughly 25 miles south of Everett, so you're looking at a 30-to-40-minute drive to the terminal. Kingston itself is a walkable harbor town with good coffee, a public beach, and easy access to Kitsap County's trail network. If you have a car and want to spend a full day exploring, this crossing opens up a lot.
Anacortes to the San Juan Islands is the grandest option. Drive about 75 minutes north of Everett to the Anacortes terminal, then board a ferry that hops between Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands. Orcas Island alone is worth a full day, with Moran State Park and its 2,400-foot Mount Constitution summit hike. This one requires early planning: summer reservations fill fast, and the ferry schedule is tighter than the other routes. But if you've never seen the San Juans, it belongs on your list.
The Mukilteo-to-Whidbey Island Ferry: A Full Day Itinerary
Honestly, this is the trip most people should do first. It's easy, it's beautiful, and you can do it with zero planning beyond checking the ferry schedule.
Morning: Leave your accommodations in Everett by 8:30 a.m. and drive south on I-5 and Highway 526 toward Mukilteo. Before you board, take five minutes to walk around the Mukilteo waterfront. The Mukilteo Lighthouse, built in 1906, sits right next to the ferry dock and is worth a quick look. On weekends and in summer, it's open for tours.
Board a mid-morning ferry (the 9:00 or 9:30 departure is usually comfortable) and stand on the upper deck if the weather allows. The crossing takes 20 minutes and the views of the Olympic Mountains to the west are genuinely stunning on a clear day.
Mid-morning to Afternoon: From Clinton, drive north on SR-525 toward Langley, a small arts town perched above the water on a bluff. Langley has independent bookshops, galleries, and a handful of good restaurants. It feels nothing like Seattle. Grab lunch there, then continue north to Coupeville, a National Historic Reserve town on Penn Cove, famous for its mussels. The Penn Cove mussels at a Coupeville restaurant are worth the trip on their own.
Late Afternoon: If you have energy left, Deception Pass State Park is at Whidbey's north end, about 45 minutes from Coupeville. The bridge over the pass is one of the most photographed spots in Washington State. Head back south, catch a late-afternoon ferry back from Clinton, and you're in Everett before dinner.
Good to Know: Ferry Logistics for Day-Trippers
A few practical details that will save you hassle on the water.
- Walk-on vs. drive-on: For Mukilteo-Clinton, walking on is faster, cheaper, and avoids the vehicle line. If you want to drive around Whidbey Island, bring your car, but budget extra time for loading.
- Reservations: Passenger-only trips don't require reservations on most routes. Vehicle reservations on Mukilteo-Clinton are not currently available (loading is first-come), but the San Juan Islands routes absolutely require them in summer.
- ORCA Card: Washington State Ferries accepts the ORCA Card, a reloadable transit card that works on ferries and can save you a small amount per crossing if you're riding multiple times.
- Timing: Midweek crossings are noticeably less crowded than summer weekends. If you're flexible, Tuesday through Thursday mornings are the smoothest.
- Cell coverage: The Mukilteo crossing is short enough that you won't miss it. On the Anacortes-San Juans run, connectivity gets patchy between islands.
What Else Can You Do Near the Water Around Everett?
The ferry trips are the main event, but the Everett area has plenty of on-the-water experiences that don't require a boat ticket.
Jetty Island is a two-mile barrier island in the Port of Everett, reachable by a free summertime ferry from the Everett waterfront. It has one of the warmest saltwater beaches on Puget Sound, shallow tidal flats for kids, and a quiet that feels miles from the city. Our Jetty Island guide covers it in detail, including the ferry schedule and what to bring.
Port Gardner and the Everett Marina make for a good morning walk even without a destination. The waterfront has views across to Whidbey Island and, on clear days, to the Olympic Peninsula beyond. Watching the fishing boats come in early is free and genuinely peaceful.
For a full picture of what's worth doing in and around Everett beyond the water, the things to do in Everett guide is a useful read before you arrive. And if you're weighing ferry trips against the Cascades, the Cascade day trips from Everett guide lays out the mountain options clearly.
When Is the Best Time of Year for Ferry Day Trips from Everett?
Late spring through early fall is the sweet spot. May through September gives you the most reliable weather, the longest daylight hours, and the most frequent ferry service on all routes.
July and August are peak summer. The Mukilteo ferry line can back up on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings, especially for vehicles. The San Juan Islands routes are at their most crowded and most beautiful at the same time. Book accommodations early if you're planning a summer trip.
May, June, and September are underrated. The islands are noticeably quieter, the fares are the same, and the light is softer. Whale watching off the San Juans is often excellent in late spring, when resident orca pods move through the area.
Winter crossings are possible, but the ferry schedules thin out and weather can make the deck experience less appealing. If you visit November through March, the Mukilteo-Clinton run is still operating and can be a moody, atmospheric trip on a grey day. Just dress for wind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ferry Trips from Everett, WA
How far is the Mukilteo ferry terminal from downtown Everett? About 15 minutes by car, taking Highway 526 west from I-5. Parking at the terminal is available in a pay lot. It's close enough that you can decide to go on a whim on a sunny morning.
Do I need to reserve a spot on the Washington State Ferry? For walk-on passengers on the Mukilteo-Clinton and Edmonds-Kingston routes, no reservation is needed. For vehicles on the Anacortes-San Juans route in summer, reservations are strongly recommended and sometimes required. Check wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for the current system.
Can I bring a dog on the Washington State Ferry? Yes. Leashed dogs are allowed on the car decks and in designated exterior areas of the passenger cabin. They are not permitted in the main indoor passenger areas. It's a pet-friendly enough setup for a day trip.
What is there to do in Langley, Whidbey Island? Langley is a small town with a strong arts scene, independent shops, and good food. The village center is walkable in an hour. The bluff overlooks Saratoga Passage and is a good whale-watching spot in spring. It's genuinely charming without trying too hard.
Is the Everett area a good base for ferry day trips? Yes, it's one of the better ones in the region. Mukilteo is 15 minutes away, Edmonds is 30, and Anacortes is about 75 minutes north. You can do a different ferry trip each day of a long weekend without repeating yourself.
Timber & Tide sits right on the North Puget Sound waterfront in Everett, which makes it a natural home base for everything described here. You can smell the salt air from the property. If you're planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest and want to actually get on the water instead of just looking at it from the highway, check availability at Timber & Tide and start planning your ferry days.