Whatcom County Ferry

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  1. News Flash

  1. Lummi Island Ferry $1 Fare Surcharge Begins May 17

    A $1 surcharge on most ferry trips on the Whatcom Chief will begin on Monday, May 17. The money will go to a dedicated fund to help pay capital expenditures for a new ferry vessel and modifications to docks in order to accommodate the new vessel. Read on...

  2. Next Monthly Ferry Punch Card Sale May 12

    The next ferry punch card sale is from 5:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, at the ferry office, located at the island-side ferry terminal. All types of ferry punch cards will be sold. Read on...

  3. April 14 Service Outage Planned for Lummi Island Ferry

    The Whatcom Chief will be out of service from 10:10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, for inspection and maintenance of the ferry terminal facilities at both Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point. Read on...
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Traveling with Long Overhang past Rear Axles Notice

If you are transporting a trailer or driving a vehicle with a long overhang past the rear axles, we strongly suggest you travel aboard the Whatcom County ferry at a tide no lower than 4 feet.

Tides lower than 4 feet produce an approach angle too steep to be corrected by ramp adjustment and damage to your trailer or vehicle and/or our equipment may occur.

Be advised, tide restrictions for weight also apply. We ask that you take both weight and length past rear axles into account before traveling aboard the Whatcom County ferry.

Weight-Related Rules and Restrictions  


Vehicles over 40,000 GVW are prohibited on the ferry during any tide under zero. This prevents damage to ferry loading ramps.


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On the Notify Me webpage, type in your email address and phone number, then scroll down to News Flash, finally, select the envelope and/or phone icon for Public Works - Lummi Island and Ferry. 

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WE DO NOT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS!  This is a First-Come, First-Served Ferry.  (Schedule)

Lummi Island Sunset - Ferry
Lummi Island Welcome Sign

Seasonal Variations


Ridership shows strong seasonal variations. July and August remain our busiest months with over 10% of all vehicle and pedestrian trips in each of these months. The permanent resident population is over 900, and during the summer the island's population swells to over 2,000.

Helpful Documents

  1. Ferry Brochure - 2015
  2. Ordinance 2015-034 - Ferry Rates
  3. Ordinance 2013-042 Needs Based Ticket Program (PDF)
  4. Ferry Fare Change Eff 10-04-15
  5. Escort for Elementary Schoolchildren
  6. Personal Care Attendant
  7. Agreement to Provide Communication Equipment
  1. Ferry Operations Report 2013 (PDF)
  2. Ferry Operations Report 2014 (PDF)
  3. Ferry Operations Report 2015 (PDF)
  4. Ferry Operations Report 2016
  5. Ferry Operations Report 2017
  6. Ferry Ops Report 2018 - Final
  7. Comprehensive Ferry Lease Documents (PDF)