Lopez Island ↔ Shaw Island

With a car, arrive early and confirm the Lopez and Shaw staging instructions before joining the line. Walk-ons need loading time, while bicycles and motorcycles should arrive 20 minutes early. Inter-island vehicles load first come, first served, and Shaw has no live terminal conditions; an empty status panel still does not guarantee boarding.

Lopez to Shaw is westbound, so vehicles and motorcycles pay at Lopez. Westbound inter-island tickets can be bought online or at Lopez's kiosk. Shaw to Lopez is eastbound and no vehicle fare is collected. Walk-on passengers and ordinary bicycles travel no-charge in both directions.

Lopez has limited parking for up to 72 hours. Shaw therefore suits a same-day walk-on outing far better than an overnight parking plan; always follow the posted signs. Shaw's limited parking is capped at 12 hours. Those are maximums, not availability guarantees.

Yes. Walk aboard and off, then let the unloading vehicle wave clear before settling into the island road. Bicycles travel no-charge inter-island, bypass the car line, and should arrive 20 minutes early for priority loading. Each terminal has one rack holding eight bikes.

No. Join the designated inter-island staging lane and leave enough schedule room that one full deck doesn't strand a fixed appointment. All inter-island vehicle travel is first come, first served. A prepaid westbound ticket is useful but doesn't protect a sailing.

Yes. A time without its symbol is incomplete information, especially when taking a car. WSF marks some island calls as unavailable to inter-island vehicles while explicitly allowing foot passengers and bicycles. The same timetable uses day-of-week and direction-loading symbols.

Both have waiting rooms, but Lopez lists no food, running water, or permanent restroom and sits four miles from Lopez Village. Pack water and food, and arrange the inland leg instead of expecting a transit interchange. Shaw lists restrooms but is still a very small landing.

Don't assume it. Follow the route sequence attached to your departure and protect the return connection. The dedicated inter-island trip runs a T pattern through Friday Harbor, Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas before reversing, and other boats mix island and mainland service.