Ferry  -  Walk-On  -  Seaplane  -  Land Plane  -  Private Plane  -  Private Boat  -  Charters

​​Getting to us is easier than you’d think — with multiple beautiful options, whether you prefer fast and scenic or slow and soulful. Travel with confidence — the island and our peaceful condos will be here to welcome you.

WHAT TO PACK:
Orcas weather is part of the magic — and the mystery. Locals always pack for variety, no matter the forecast — Spring & Summer: light layers for warm days and cool evenings (yes, even in July), warm hoodie or fleece, rain jacket or windbreaker, hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Fall & Winter: waterproof jacket, warm base layers (wool or fleece), a hat, warm socks, and indoor wear. This is an island in the ocean — the weather can swing from 90 to 50 degrees within 12 hours, even in August.

​Most restaurants are casual — island dress code is comfy and clean. If you’re arriving late, food options may be limited — it’s wise to pack a few snacks or a light meal to get through your first night. Also, we do not allow pets or animals in any of our units. We maintain hypoallergenic, extra-clean standards for the comfort of all guests — especially those with allergies or sensitivities. Thank you for your understanding.

​BY FERRY:
If you’re flying into either Seattle (SEA) or Vancouver (YVR), plan to rent a car with your preferred agency and allow roughly 1.5 to 3 hours of driving time to the Anacortes ferry terminal, depending on traffic. If flying into Bellingham (BLI), the drive to the terminal takes about one hour. At the Anacortes ferry landing you can purchase a ticket for a vehicle plus driver and additional tickets for any passengers beyond the driver. All fares are sold as roundtrips. You do not need to buy the ferry tickets in advance; however, it is very important to make a ferry reservation in advance. If you plan on making a trip to Victoria, British Columbia, you’ll want to make sure to reserve that as well. San Juan inter-island ferries are easy to get on and don’t require a reservation. The Washington State Ferry (WSF) reservation system is clunky, so please feel free to ask us any questions while booking your travel! We’d be happy to help.

The spots on the ferry open up in the following way: 30% - two months before the sailing season (around January for Spring), 30% - two weeks before the sailing date precisely at 7 AM PST, and 30% more of the ferry opens up two days before the scheduled sail, also at 7 AM PST. To secure a spot in high season: 1) create your WSF account in advance; 2) queue up your selection at 6:59 AM PST; 3) hit the button two seconds after the clock turns to 7 AM. Extra effort that yields extra success: have your travel partners do the same to increase your "ferry game" winning chances. Afterwards, make sure to cancel the reservations you don't need, to be nice to other travelers and to avoid a $16 WSF no-show fee. If you didn't get a spot - do not worry: 10% of each boat is reserved for standbys, and many reservation holders don't show up or show up late. If you arrive early and remain patient for a few hours, you will arrive at The Residences same day; it is worth the wait.

Make sure to get to the ferry 30 min before its departure, otherwise they'll forfeit your reservation! Do not agree to become standby for the next ferry if you have a reservation for it, because then they'll forfeit that reservation as well.

We do not recommend taking an airport-ferry shuttle, as it is expensive, long, and cumbersome. And sometimes it misses the ferry. The off-season car rentals are affordable, they end up costing less overall, and will give you the unique opportunity to explore the area and the island at your leisure. In high season, be prepared to budget for a rental car; however, even if it's expensive - it's worth the experience.

​Island logistics can get a little quirky, especially in summer. We’re happy to help you figure out the best route based on your plans — just reach out, and we’ll talk and walk you through it.

​​WALK-ON FERRY (ANACORTES - ROSARIO):
As our guest, you receive exclusive access to a private, walk-on ferry that departs from Anacortes and arrives directly at the Rosario dock—just a 3-minute walk from The Residences. Skip the hassle of vehicle reservations and long ferry lines, and enjoy a scenic, stress-free arrival right at your doorstep.

​​BY SEAPLANE:
If you’d like to fly directly to Rosario Resort* and walk up to your room in about two-to-five minutes, you can take a Kenmore Air seaplane from Lake Union in Seattle to Rosario Resort marina. Flights range from $150 to $220 each way per passenger and the flight takes about 40 minutes. If you have a large group of people, it may be easier and significantly cheaper to charter the entire seaplane (seats up to 10 passenger). To go this route, please contact Kenmore’s group reservations at 866-359-2842 or via their online form. Seaplane travel is a unique and gorgeous experience – you would fly at low altitudes, enjoying Seattle’s and Washington’s coastline and many of the Washington's islands from above. Kenmore Air provides a convenient Mercedes minivan shuttle from SeaTac airport (SEA) to their Union Lake terminal. Seaplanes are stunning but operate seasonally and are weather-dependent — best from May to September.

​BY LAND PLANE:
You can save even more time by taking Kenmore Air’s 10-minute shuttle from SeaTac airport (SEA) to Boeing Field and flying to the town of Eastsound on Orcas Island. The travel time via land plane is about 30 minutes. Once in Eastsound, you’ll need to use taxis or rent a vehicle to get to Rosario Resort. Both taxi and rental services--while available--are limited and expensive on the island. As with the seaplanes, if you have a large group of people planning to fly into town, it may be cheaper to go through Kenmore’s group reservations. Additionally, San Juan Airlines allows you to charter a reasonably-priced private three-passenger or five-passenger plane, originating at any landing strip in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or British Columbia; they also maintain regular-scheduled flights between the islands and Washington State's cities of Anacortes and Bellingham.  

​PRIVATE PLANE:
Eastsound Airport (ORS) is open to the public. Its landing strip is 2,901 x 60 feet.

​PRIVATE BOAT:
If the weather is nice, taking a motor or a sail boat from any of the coastal cities or islands may be a unique and wonderful experience. The beautiful Rosario Marina provides plenty of slots with showers, laundry, and a swimming pool. To moor the boat at Rosario, please contact Rosario Harbor for reservations. To moor in Deer Harbor, please contact their marina.

PRIVATE CHARTER:
Sail to the San Juans in style with Best Chapter Charters, private luxury charters, also offering whale watching, island camping, sport fishing, and sunset cruises. Step aboard a high-performance Axopar 37 Cross Cabin — built for speed, comfort, and luxury. Mention "The Residences at Rosario" when booking for special rates and exclusive availability.

No matter which method of travel you choose – you’re in for a unique and beautiful experience to get to Orcas Island.