Lummi Island Ferry

About

The Lummi Island Ferry, located in Whatcom County, provides service between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point, a mainland community west of Bellingham, Washington. The ferry to Lummi Island, named the Whatcom Chief, shuttles both pedestrians and vehicles across the water. It can accommodate up to 100 pedestrians and 20 vehicles. The ferry crossing time is typically 8 minutes, but can be a few minutes faster or longer depending on the weather.

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Schedule

Lummi Island to Mainland

Mainland to Lummi Island

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Fares & Rates

The round-trip ferry fares are collected during the passage to the island.

You can pay your fare with any major credit card or debit card except American Express.

The most common fares are as follows with a full rate chart just below:

• Vehicle w/ driver (vehicle under 8,001 pounds): $13.00
• Pedestrian/Passenger: $7.00
• Bicycle w/ rider: $7.00
• Motorcycle w/ driver: $8.00
• Children/Adults 19 and under: FREE

Passenger Fares

Vehicle/Driver Fares

Larger Vehicle Fares

Special Trip Fares

Clarifications

1. All Children under the age of twelve (12) years old when traveling on the Whatcom County ferry must be accompanied by an adult. An exception to this policy will be made only if the parent or legal guardian signs a waver exempting Whatcom County from all liabilities for any and all injures, loss of life, etc., while the child is traveling on the ferry.

2. No special child or student discount is available for drivers of vehicles.

3. Student multi-ride cards shall be sold to full-time students only. Student multi-ride cards shall only be sold at Public Works Accounting (Administration) office. Proof of current full-time enrollment shall be required at the time of purchase.

4. During the term of the Tidelands Lease Agreement dated 10/24/2011, Lessee (Whatcom County) shall grant free foot and non-commercial passenger vehicle passage upon and across the ferry operated by Lessee between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island to those persons going to Lummi Island for legitimate tribal business who are either enrolleed members of the Lummi Nation or employees thereof, and who also present appropriate identification issued by the Nation, including Indian Business Council Identification cards or current fishing cards/licenses as issued by Lummi Nation.

5. A special needs discount is provided for Lummi Island residents who meet the very low income levels set annually by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The current year's levels will be posted on the Whatcom County Public Works' Ferry web page. The Reviewing Authority will screen all applicants to determine eligibility. The number of needs-based applications process annually, regardless of approval, will depend on the constraints of the Ferry Operations budget for each year. These special needs based tickets will only be sold at the Whatcom County Public Works Administration building in Bellingham and will require a valid voucher issued from the Reviewing Authority and valid ID. Forms and procedures will be developed by Whatcom County Public Works and the Reviewing Authority.

6. Eligibility for a special 'Senior/Disabled' discount is available to all Lummi Island residents who currently hold property tax exemptions or deferral as defined under RCW 84.36.381, RCW 84.38.030, WAC 458-16-020 and WAC 458-18-020, and as these may be hereafter amended. These special needs-based tickets will only be sold at the Whatcom County Public Works Administration building in Bellingham and will required valid ID.

7. Tow vehicles with trailers shall be charged a combined rate based on the length and weight. Heavy Machinery that is self-propelled onto the ferry shall be charged at the corresponding vehicle rate.

8. Buses, mobile homes, motor homes, fifth wheels in bed of pickup and trailers including goosenecks are charged by total length. Length includes tongue, hitch, and projections to the rear.

9. Any vehicle, bus, motor home, or trailer occupying more than one ferry lane shall be charged 50 percent surcharge. The surcharge will consist of 50 percent added to the total charge. In addition, vehicles towing over-width trailers shall also be charged a 50 percent surcharge.

10. Special trips are a surcharge in addition to the applicable fee.

11. A weekly run limited to fuel trucks, charged at the regular rate, shall be scheduled by the Public Works Department.

12. All trucks shall be charged round trip rates based on gross vehicle weight.

13. Vehicles over 40,000 pounds need special permission from the captain to board, including weight slip. Maximum weight limit is 50,000 pounds. Call the Department of Public Works at (360) 778-6200 for further information. Minus tide restrictions may apply.

Whatcom County employees on official County business shall be exempt from fares

* Vehicles MUST be 57 ft. or less TOTAL LENGTH

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Terminal Information

Address

The Lummi Island Ferry Dock is located at:

2147 S Nugent Rd
Lummi Island, WA 98262

The terminal at Gooseberry Point is located near KMB Seafoods:

Lummi View Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98226

Directions

From Canada & Points North

1. Follow I-5 South to Slater Road Exit 260
2. Turn right or west on Slater Road
3. Follow Slater Road 3.22 miles to Haxton Way
4. Turn left or south on Haxton Way
5. Follow Haxton Way 7.02 miles to the Whatcom County Public WOrks Lummi Island Ferry

From Seattle & Points South

1. Follow I-5 North to Slater Road Exit 260
2. Turn left or west on Slater Road
3. Follow Slater Road 3.22 miles to Haxton Way
4. Turn left or south on Haxton Way
5. Follow Haxton Way 7.02 miles to the Whatcom County Public WOrks Lummi Island Ferry

Tips

Lummi Island does not have a gas/fueling station, so if you are bring your vehicle over with you, be sure you have enough fuel to cover you until you arrive back at the mainland.

The mainland ferry dock does not have any public restroms nor are there any onboard the Whatcom Chief ferry. Use the restroom prior to arriving at the dock or be sure you can last the entire, albeit short, ferry ride.

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Parking

FREE parking is available along Lummi View Dr. However, be cautious of where you park because some areas are private property/tow away zones. Always look for signs to ensure you don't return from trip and your car is gone.

Some handicapped parking spaces are located closer to the mainland ferry dock.

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Dry Dock

The Whatcom Chief shall depart for dry dock midmorning on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The Whatcom Chief is due to return to its regular schedule midday on Tuesday, September 24, 2019. As always, the return date is tentative and dependent on the scale of repairs and work required in the shipyard. Further confirmation of this return to service date will occur as dry dock progresses.

On the morning of Saturday, September 7, 2019, the Whatcom Chief vehicle ferry will provide regular vehicle service until it departs for dry dock. Regular service will begin with an early first run of 6:00 a.m. and will continue to run until it makes its last departures before going out of service for dry dock. The last two departures providing regular vehicle service made by the Whatcom Chief will be:

• 9:20 a.m. from Lummi Island to Gooseberry Point
• 9:30 a.m. from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island

We anticipate the first departure with the contracted passenger-only ferry to be approximately 4:00 p.m. from Lummi Island on Saturday, September 7, 2019.

Dry Dock Services

Foot Passenger-Only Ferry Service transportation will be provided between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point. The maximum number of passengers allowed on the passenger ferry at any one time is 55.

• Pets and bicycles allowed on the stern of the vessel only.
• Bicycles load last. The maximum number of bicycles allowed on the passenger ferry at one time is 6.
• The passenger only ferry can only accept non-motorized wheelchairs as motorized wheelchairs are too wide to pass through the opening in the bulwarks of the passenger ferry.

Ferry vehicle parking will continue to be available in the existing designated areas and will be posted at Gooseberry Point and on the website indicated below. Please comply by parking in designated/posted areas only. Vehicles parked in undesignated areas will be towed at the owner's expense. No exceptions.

Passenger Shuttle Van Service on Lummi Island will be provided while the Whatcom Chief Ferry is in dry dock. The first day of service will be Friday, September 6, 2019. The maximum number of passengers allowed in the shuttle van at any one time is 14.

• The shuttle van must meet a very tight schedule. Please be at the shuttle van stop EARLY to be sure of a ride.
• No pets or bicycles allowed in the passenger shuttle van. No exceptions.

Dry Dock Schedule

Lummi Island to Gooseberry Point

Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island

Shuttle Van Schedule

North Loop Van Stops

1. Van Departs the Ferry Dock
2. North Nugent at Lane Spit
3. Beach Club Condos at Nugent
4. Willows Inn
5. Cedar at Island View
6. Tuttle at Legoe Bay
7. Sunnyhill Lane at Tuttle
8. Beach School Parking Lot
9. Vann Arrives at the Ferry Dock

North Loop Morning Schedule

North Loop Evening Schedule

South Loop Van Stops

1. Van Departs the Ferry Dock
2. Church Parking Lot via Granger
3. Legoe Bay at Granger
4. Cedrus at South Nugent
5. Sunrise at South Nugent
6. Hales Passage at Island Drive
7. Beach at Cedar
8. Beach Club House Entrance
9. Sunrise at Seacrest
10. Van Arrives at Ferry Dock

South Loop Morning Schedule

South Loop Evening Schedule