Gooseberry Point–Lummi Island ferry schedule and guide

Whatcom County runs the Gooseberry Point–Lummi Island ferry, a car and passenger ferry between Gooseberry Point on the mainland and Lummi Island in Whatcom County, Washington. The Lummi Island ferry crossing takes about five minutes. The ferry Whatcom Chief boards first come, first served, and Whatcom County takes no reservations.

Lummi Island ferry schedule Year-round

Whatcom County runs the Sunday and holiday schedule on New Year's Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Whatcom Chief makes extra runs at the captain's discretion when a scheduled run cannot carry everyone waiting at the dock.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, one morning run in each direction carries fuel trucks only, and the schedule marks it. Other vehicles wait for the next run.

Gooseberry Point–Lummi Island ferry details

Gooseberry Point ferry terminal parking and directions

The Gooseberry Point ferry terminal is the mainland end of the Lummi Island ferry, at the end of Haxton Way. Drivers on Interstate 5 take Slater Road Exit 260 and follow Slater Road west for 3.22 miles. They turn left, south, on Haxton Way and follow Haxton Way 7.02 miles to the Gooseberry Point ferry terminal.

Drivers boarding at Gooseberry Point merge into the right lane for ferry staging and keep clear of the cross-hatched driveways. The ferry lane turns right and becomes two lanes. Drivers move into the shorter lane and zipper merge when driving onto the Whatcom Chief.

Whatcom County publishes a Gooseberry Point terminal parking plan that marks the ferry parking areas. The lot near the fish plant at Gooseberry Point is private property, and ferry riders cannot park there outside the annual dry dock.

Lummi Island ferry terminal parking

The Lummi Island ferry terminal has two parking lots. The front lot, near the dock, has a 24-hour limit. The back lot has a 5-day limit, and Whatcom County marks vehicles, boats, trailers and RVs left longer for towing.

Riders who need to park longer use the back lot and tell the Ferry Division the dates, the vehicle's make and its license plate number. The Lummi Island Ferry Office sits at the island terminal.

Lummi Island ferry fueling days, dry dock and weather

Whatcom County refuels the Whatcom Chief on alternate Thursdays. On a fueling day, the midday runs change: Lummi Island gets a double run at noon, and the next run in each direction is cut. After the last posted run on a fueling day, the Whatcom Chief makes no extra runs to clear the docks.

The Whatcom Chief leaves for dry dock for several weeks each year. During dry dock, a passenger-only ferry carries up to 55 passengers and no vehicles. Pets and up to 6 bicycles ride on the stern, and the passenger-only ferry takes non-motorized wheelchairs only.

Whatcom County takes the Whatcom Chief out of service for a few hours about every two months to inspect and maintain both terminals. Until the Lummi Island terminal's wooden dolphins are replaced, the Lummi Island ferry also stops running in some high winds, such as sustained winds around 35 mph. Whatcom County posts these outages on its ferry webpage and through its ferry email alerts.

Gooseberry Point–Lummi Island ferry FAQs

More Washington ferries

• Anacortes–San Juan Islands ferry
• Seattle–Bainbridge Island ferry
• Seattle–Bremerton ferry
• Edmonds–Kingston ferry
• Mukilteo–Clinton ferry
• Fauntleroy–Vashon–Southworth ferry
• Point Defiance–Tahlequah ferry
• Port Townsend–Coupeville ferry