Getting to Seabeck

For the ferries, it’s good to be about 20 to 30 minutes early, or earlier at rush-hour times (reservations are not available on these routes). Depending on the schedule of each ferry, and when you can get to the ferry terminal, it may be quicker overall for you to take a longer ferry. With good weather, any of these routes will provide attractive views of Mt. Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound waterways. See the Washington State Ferries website for schedules and rates. In summer, printed ferry schedules have in recent years included a ferry haiku contest winner chosen by cojudge Michael Dylan Welch, but these are not available when our retreat takes place in the fall.

Options for Getting to Seabeck from British Columbia

If you’re coming to Seabeck from British Columbia, the trip provides numerous scenic options by car. Choose one of the following options from either Victoria or Vancouver:

From Victoria:

1. Take the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington. This route is about 98 miles, and takes about three hours and 20 minutes, plus time to wait for the ferry. See the Black Ball Ferry website for schedules and rates (reservation required). Most direct option, but the ferry runs only twice a day.

2. Take the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. From Victoria, this route is about 148 miles, and takes about six hours and 10 minutes, plus ferry wait times. This route also includes a second ferry from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend. Ferry reservations required for both ferry routes. See the Washington State Ferries website for schedules and rates.

3. Take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, then drive to Seabeck, taking one additional ferry, from Edmonds to Kingston. From Victoria this route is about 205 miles, and takes about seven hours and 16 minutes. Visit the BC Ferries website for schedules and rates (reservations recommended).

Depending on ferry schedules, and when you plan to arrive at Seabeck, you might find that the shortest/quickest route is not necessarily the best for your needs. For example, the Tsawwassen and Kingston ferries run much more frequently, so they might be more convenient for you. Another possibility, from Victoria, is to take the Victoria Clipper passenger ferry, which runs from the Victoria Harbour to Pier 69 in Seattle. At certain times of the year (usually mid-September to mid-May), this ferry service is limited to once per day. Once you reach Seattle, too, you would still have the challenge of getting to a shuttle, such as the Kitsap Airporter, but see above (the paragraph that starts with “If you come to Seattle by train”) for various options, and feel free to ask us for travel suggestions.

From Vancouver:

1. Take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston (no reservations possible). This route is about 160 miles, and takes about three hours and 35 minutes, plus time to wait for the ferry. See the Washington State Ferries website for schedules and rates. Most direct and shortest route.

2. Take the ferry from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend (reservation required). This route is about 168 miles, and takes about three hours and 50 minutes, plus time to wait for the ferry. See the Washington State Ferries website for schedules and rates. Opportunity to explore Whidbey Island and Port Townsend on your trip. This ferry is subject to occasional cancelled sailings due to tides.

3. Drive through Tacoma, and avoid the ferries. This route is about 217 miles, and takes about three hours and 50 minutes. Takes the same amount of time as the ferry to Port Townsend, but will not give you any worries about getting onto the ferry, and would actually be quicker if you factor in wait time for the ferry.

Again, please ask any Haiku Northwest member for travel advice. While our ferries can be a challenge to figure out the first time, they are a unique cultural and scenic opportunity that we encourage you to experience. See you at Seabeck!