The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) reminds travelers to allow extra time for ferry travel throughout the holiday season. Some routes will operate on special holiday schedules on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All routes are expected to see heavy traffic over the holidays.

WSF will operate ferry service on Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1) as below. Holiday schedule details are published in the fall schedule; you can pick up a copy at terminals, on vessels, or download a copy from the WSF Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

The Anacortes/San Juan Islands will be on its regular weekday schedule.

On Sunday, Jan. 4, WSF will begin operating on a winter schedule through Saturday, March 28. The winter season is traditionally a slow season for the ferry system, so seasonal service changes are made to save money. During the winter, there is no ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C.

The Anacortes/San Juan Island routes experience the most change during the winter schedule. The normal four boats will run in the San Juan Islands during the week, Monday through Friday, while only three boats will run on weekends. The winter schedule includes two different sailing schedules for this route, a weekday and a weekend schedule.

For more ferry system information and sailing schedules, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.