1. Washington State Ferry: The lines at the ferry during the summer are quite long, particularly Friday afternoon/evening, Sunday, and Monday morning.
   
   Foot passengers don't have to wait. If you're bringing your car, plan to arrive 2 to 3 hours early during the peak times. The ferry information line (1-888-808-7977) updates any changes to the published schedule.

2. Island Express Charters: Departs from Anacortes Cap Santa Marina. Offers walk-on ferry service from Anacortes to Eastsound. Advance reservations are required. Call 1-877-473-9777.

3. Paraclete Water Taxi: Departs from Anacortes Skyline Marina and offers ferry service direct to Eastsound. Advance reservations are required. Call (800) 808-2999 or 360-293-5920.

4. Victoria Clipper: Departs from Pier 69 in Seattle and offers a 3.5 hour trip to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. From Friday Harbor, you would need to take a free-inter-island ferry to Orcas Island. You cannot bring a car on the Victoria Clipper. Call (800) 888-2535 or (206) 448-5000.

by air

A fantastic alternative that offers a much quicker trip to Orcas Island, and is a great way to avoid rush-hour traffic.

1. Kenmore Air: the most popular company runs small-plane flights and seaplanes. There are two options one leaves out of Boeing Field in Seattle into Eastsound, the other is a seaplane from Lake Union to either Westsound, Rosario, or Deer Harbor.

   Kenmore Air offers free shuttle service from Seattle's Airport to your departure point (both Lake Union and Boeing Field). Call (800) 543-9595 or (206) 486-1257. to Westsound, Deer Harbor and Rosario. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes door-to-door.

2. Northwest Seaplanes: Flights are available daily from Renton, located on the south shore of Lake Washington.

3. Rose Air: Flights are available daily from Portland. Call (503)-675-7673

4. San Juan Airlines: San Juan can book charter flights to Orcas directly from SeaTac. San Juan Air also flies out of Bellingham to Orcas; It is a 15 minute flight. The main airlines that fly into Bellingham are Delta and Horizon.