Coming to the islands with a dog? Here’s what you need to know about dogs on the ferries.

July 16, 10:02 AMSan Juan Islands Travel ExaminerSheila Gaquin

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Dogs are not allowed upstairs in the passenger cabins of the Washington State Ferries unless they are certified service dogs. All other dogs must remain on the car deck, and be on a leash or confined in a car.

Drive-on passengers with dogs
The Washington State Ferries allows passengers to stay in their vehicles on the car deck throughout the voyage, so dogs can remain in the comfort of their car, with or without their people. Pet owners who opt to stay in the car and keep their dogs company during the journey can dash out to a rest room on  the car deck level. If Fido has steady nerves, it is perfectly okay to go upstairs and enjoy the view while Fido snoozes in the back seat of the car.

Walk-on passengers with dogs
For walk on passengers with  dogs, the options are a little less comfortable, especially in cold or wet weather. There are sheltered areas on the car deck at both ends of the ferry that are out of the wind caused by the forward motion of the boat, and the rain, but are still opened to the great outddors. These spaces are furnished with a few chairs where pet owners can sit with their pets during the journey.

In Anacortes, passengers boarding with dogs need to walk aboard at the car deck level where bicyclist and people with kayaks board the ferry, rather than on the overhead walkway. In the islands, all walk-on passengers, with or without dogs, disembark at the car deck level.

For more info: The Washington State Ferries