How to Get to the Island
FHL is located on San Juan island, off the coast of Washington, 75 miles NW of Seattle. To get here, you’ll need to take a plane or boat (or car and ferry). Depending on where you are coming from and how much you want to pay, there are several options for getting here; for all of the options, see How to Get to FHL. The Washington State Ferry system transports people and vehicles to and from the San Juan Islands several times a day, and is the least expensive way to get to Friday Harbor; this page provides details on using the ferry.
Start planning by checking the ferry schedule: enter the date you’ll be traveling, and select Departing Terminal “Anacortes” and Arriving Terminal “Friday Harbor”. There are two afternoon sailings that should get you to FHL in time for check in. Alternatively, you can take a morning sailing, and spend time on the island before coming to campus in the afternoon.
Reservations For Vehicles: Plan Ahead
Make reservations well in advance if you’re taking a car (no reservation necessary if you’re walking on). Ferry reservations are opened in a tiered system leading up to the sailing date. If you go onto the reservation site and the ferry you’re planning on appears to be full, you can try again at 7am two weeks before the sailing date or again at 7am two days before the sailing date. Reservations have been a bit wonky though due to ferry scheduling disruptions during the pandemic.
If you come with a car, you should arrive at the Anacortes ferry terminal at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. The ferry ride itself is usually 1-2 hours long, depending on how many islands the ferry stops at along the way. Note that ferries often run late – that’s just part of island life!
How to Get to FHL from the Town of Friday Harbor
The ferry arrives in the town of Friday Harbor, about 1.5 miles (a 20-30 minute walk or 6 minute drive) from FHL. Once you’ve arrived to the island, you can drive, walk, or take a taxi (There are no Ubers or Lyfts on the island). For mobile directions, enter the address: 620 University Road, Friday Harbor (directions are also at bottom of this page).
Those arriving to Friday Harbor on the Victoria Clipper (not currently running), by plane, or by any Washington State ferry other than the one that departs Anacortes in the early afternoon must find their own way from town to FHL.
For students who walk onto the ferry that is scheduled to depart Anacortes in the early afternoon, FHL vans will offer rides from the Friday Harbor ferry terminal to FHL. Even if the ferry is late (which it usually is!), we will be there to pick students up from it. If you don’t see a van in the location indicated in the image below, just wait for it there (it may be bringing the first load of students to FHL and will return in a few minutes):
Where To Go When You Get to FHL
Check-in time is typically between 3-6pm the day before classes start; please do not come onto campus before that time. When you get here, go to the Commons building, indicated in bright pink on the campus map below. If you are driving, you can park your car in the parking lot indicated by the red arrows. In the Commons, you will receive your room assignment, key, and information about where to meet for the first day of class. Dinner will be served in the Dining Hall between 6pm and 6:30pm. Please email the Academic Services Manager (fhlstudents@uw.edu) if you are running late so we can have a prepared meal ready for you to pick up when you arrive.
Directions for driving or walking to FHL
From the ferry landing, follow the cars turning right off the ferry, then immediately left onto Spring Street (the main street in town). Go two blocks, then turn right on Second St. Go about four blocks (the road will curve to the left) and at the second stop sign, turn right onto Tucker Ave. Follow Tucker for 0.3 mile to the fork at the top of the hill. Take the right fork onto University Rd, proceeding another 0.3 mi to enter campus. Follow the above map and/or signage to get to the Commons.