Welcome to Guemes Island. You’ll find an extraordinary community here with intelligent, caring and wonderful people. Over the years, so many have volunteered on behalf of island organizations and rallied together to fight unwanted developments. So, we’re happy to see you and hope that you’ll join us in working to better this community. Guemes Island Map
Guemes Island Ferry
Skagit County has operated a vehicle and passenger ferry service between Anacortes and Guemes Island, WA since the early 1960s. The current vessel, the M/V GUEMES, is a 21-vehicle, 99-passenger, diesel-powered ferry that was built and put into service in 1979. Today, the ferry operates 365 days a year and transports roughly 200,000 vehicles and 400,000 passengers annually.
There are no alternative roads or highways that provide access to Guemes Island; as such, the Skagit County ferry system serves as a vital transportation link for its ridership. In addition to transporting commuters, the ferry also carries tourist traffic, construction and logging trucks, essential services trucks and emergency vehicles and personnel to and from the Island.
Guemes Island Ferry Schedule
Peak Season: May 20 – September 30
Non-Peak Season: October 1 – May 19
If you experience a medical emergency that does not require a call to 911, you may go to the head of the ferry line with your emergency blinkers on.
Wednesdays 9:15 am to Guemes & 2 pm from Guemes are hazardous material runs and no cars or passengers are carried.
Ferry Web Cams showing the current ferry lines.
A 72-hour parking lot is available in Anacortes, at 6th Street and K Avenue, for Guemes Island Ferry passengers.
Ferry On Holiday Schedule: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Runs Saturday schedule, stopping at 10 pm.
Captain Rachel Rowe, Ferry Operations Division Manager, Skagit County Public Works
Anacortes Terminal – 500 I Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221
Ferry Terminal: (360) 293-6433, Fax: (360) 293-1899, pw@co.skagit.wa.us
Haul-Outs
The US Coast Guard requires that the ferry be dry-docked every 24 months for inspection. During the haul-out, Arrow Launch will provide passenger-only ferry service between the regular ferry docks in Anacortes and on Guemes Island. The foot ferry will operate on the same sailing schedule as the regular car ferry.
If you need to transport a vehicle between Anacortes and Guemes Island during the ferry haul-out, you will need to make your own arrangements. Two local companies that may be able to assist are Island Transport and San Juan Marine Freight Company.
The shuttle will operate on Guemes Island on a call-in basis according to the following schedule:
Monday – Saturday 7:00 am – 11:45 am & 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
Sunday 8:30 am – 11:45 am & 12:30 pm – 5:15 pm.
To arrange a pick-up, please call Dispatch at least one hour ahead of your requested pick-up time at (360) 757-4433 (Press #1 and ask for Guemes Dispatch).
Island Organizations
LineTime.org, begun in 2003, posts news, articles and information on Guemes Island. You’ll find ferry schedules, rates, tide charts, a Message Board and record of property sales on the island.
Guemes Island Chamber Music Series
The Guemes Island Chamber Music Series hosts chamber music concerts twice a year on Guemes Island. The Chamber Music is supported by tax deductible contributions and ticket sales. Our mission is to entertain, enthrall, and educate by providing the unique opportunity to experience world-class musicians, thereby cultivating an appreciation for chamber music. Witness musical masters expressing their passion and genius. We are expanding appreciation and awareness of classical music.
Guemes Island Church/Spirit of Guemes
We aspire to be a church of inclusiveness of all persons, service to our island neighbors, peacemaking and reconciliation, and environmental stewardship of our island and the earth. Every Sunday the Guemes Island Community Church curates a unique and enriching experience by featuring diverse speakers. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and thought-provoking environment, the church invites individuals from various backgrounds to share their insights, wisdom, and perspectives. This new tradition ensures that each Sunday morning brings fresh ideas, inspiring messages, and a sense of unity to the congregation and visitors alike.
Soup-To-Go
Come and enjoy lunch, with your neighbors most Thursdays from October through April from 11:30 to 12:15 at the Guemes Island Community Church. The meal is prepared and served by the Guemes Connects Volunteers. Drive through pickup. A suggested donation is $5.
GET (Guemes Emergency Team)
GET is a team of island volunteers who are prepared, if called upon by the Guemes Island Fire Chief, to respond to any disaster, man-made or natural, that the island experiences. However, island residents and visitors should prepare to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks or possibly as long as six.
Guemes Island Ferry Committee
The GIFC is a body of five ferry community representatives elected by islanders to represent them on issues related to Skagit County’s ferry serving Anacortes and Guemes Island.
Guemes Island Ferry Trail Project
Building a safe path from ferry to the park.
Guemes Island Fire Department
If you are experiencing a Medical or Fire Emergency, please call 911.
The Guemes Island Fire Department is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing the best possible medical and fire emergency response services to the people of Guemes Island, Washington. The island is served by a small ferry operated by Skagit County. GIFD provides basic life support response and care with a modern ambulance and a team of seven emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Advanced life support response is provided by Anacortes Fire Department. With two pumpers, a tanker and brush rig, GIFD is equipped to handle everything from wildland fires to structure fires.
6310 Guemes Island Road, 360.395.8047, Station # 360-202-0288
Guemes Island Fire Commissioners, District 17
Gerald Francis, Thomas Murphy, David Wertheimer
Medical Equipment Lending Closet
The lending closet is maintained by the Guemes Connects Organization. There are wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, portable commodes and other medical equipment for loan. Contact Juby Fouts 360-293-2704 or Gail Nicolls 360-293-9540 for information.
Guemes Island Library
We offer books, periodicals, and DVDs. Our patrons also have access to digital and audio books through Washington Anytime Library.
Guemes Island History Project
The Society gathers and preserves island histories, photos, artifacts and documents relating to the history of Guemes Island. Funds are now being raised for a future island museum. We have a collection to inventory and conserve, assets to manage and a physical site to create.
Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee
Advisory planning under the growth management act for Guemes Island for Skagit County
Guemes Island Community Center Association
The elected GICCA Board manages and maintains the Guemes Island
Community Hall, the Schoolhouse Park Pavilion and Stage. GICCA is supported by
donations and has no membership or dues requirement.
Holiday Hideaway Association
This neighborhood organization is for those living in Holiday Hideaway community on Guemes Island.
Public Services
Puget Sound Energy
To report electrical outages call 1-888-225-5773.
Public Transportation (SKAT)
There are bus schedules on SKT’s web site (https://www.skagittransit.org) or call 360-299-2424. SKAT does stop at the Guemes Ferry Terminal. There is no bus service on Guemes Island except during the annual ferry maintenance haul out. During that time a SKAT bus does provide service to and from a resident’s home to the walk on ferry.
Waste Management of Skagit County http://www.wmnorthwest.com
There is regular garbage pickup on Guemes Island every Friday morning. There is recycle pick-up on alternate Fridays of the month. For service call 1-800-592-9995.
Internet Options
Speed and availability vary all over the island. Startup costs vary, too. Cellular, Starlink and DSL all require modems to access their networks that with installation can range in cost from $30-$500. Services may also carry activation fees and require long term contracts.
San Juan Cable continues to provide internet access over most of Guemes Island. Virtually no bandwidth cap. “Business Internet” option is available at 20mbps download and 3mbps up. 888.512.2141 or 360.758.7879 http://www.sanjuancable.com.
DSL Ziply Fiber offers DSL over existing telephone lines and is now widely available around the island. They also bundle TV services through the DISH network that requires installation of a small dish and receiver. ZiplyFiber.com • 866-699-4759
Satellite. Satellite reception is not available everywhere and requires a clear view above the southern horizon. High relative latency times are a limitation of satellite-based internet access. This is the time required for your browser request to travel up to the satellite and down to the server. By way of comparison, most systems listed here ping a server in less than 100 milliseconds. The satellite system takes on average 688 milliseconds. While download speeds are fast enough to stream video, the latency can make the service seem sluggish when browsing or playing games. Bandwith caps at $39/10GB/month and $119/40GB.
Cellular Cellular data service varies by carrier and location. Internet access can be excellent in some areas and non-existent in others. Carriers allow a grace period in which a purchased cellular modem can be returned and service cancelled. Services all have relatively low bandwidth caps which make video or voice over the internet prohibitive.
AT&T Wireless • Verizon Wireless • Sprint Wireless
StarLink Uses advanced satellites in a low orbit. Users can expect to see download speeds between 100 Mb/s and 200 Mb/s and latency as low as 20ms in most locations. Starlink needs a clear view of the sky overhead so it can stay connected with satellites as they move. Objects that obstruct the connection between your Starlink and the satellite, such as a tree branch, pole, or roof, will cause service interruptions. Use the Starlink App (iOS, Android) to check for obstructions and find the install location that will deliver the best service. http://www.starlink.com
Television programming is available now in several ways: Frontier’s DISH, DirecTV or other satellite network, internet streamed programming using devices from Apple, Amazon or Roku or streamed through internet services like Netflix.com, Hulu.com or sling.com.
Water
Guemes Island has been designated a Sole Source Aquifer area which means that the only water on Guemes Island falls from the sky and that at least 50% of our island population gets its water from an aquifer underlying our island. Overdrawing water from the aquifer can result in saltwater intrusion which can ruin a well. Therefore, it is important that we use water conservatively. Island residents do not wash cars or water lawns with well water during the Summer. We encourage islanders to collect rainwater when possible. For more information on responsible water use and well management contact Sally Stapp at 425-501-1435. The county is now encouraging catchment as an option to drilling new wells.
Water, Water Everywhere
Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.
Part One: “An island environment is like the Ancient Mariner’s ship: a certain store of fresh water exists, but beyond that is the undrinkable salt sea.” [Summer 1990]
Part Two: “The study focused on two fundamental questions…whether or not our fresh water supply was derived…from old water trapped during the last ice age. The second question was the degree to which aquifers are in communication and thus, able to transfer water from one part of the island to another.” [Fall 1990]
Update: “Residents of Guemes Island are aware that their aquifer has a limited quantity and should have special considerations. In a previous study, the DOE has outlined the salt water intrusion problem. This information should be used in the Skagit County planning process and the water system planning process. The integrity of the existing aquifer should be protected.” [Winter 1991]
Part Three: “We don’t yet know the capacity of the aquifers on Guemes nor how much can safely be withdrawn without depleting the reservoir of fresh water.”[Fall 1994]
Guemes Island Events
Memorial Day
Services by the Anacortes American Legion are held on Memorial Day at the Guemes ferry with the release of a wreath on Guemes Channel and end with a memorial service at the Guemes Cemetery.
Fourth of July
Generations of islanders and visitors watch or take part in a parade on the north beach area of Guemes Island Road in the morning at 11 am. At noon, buy hotdogs and lemonade at the Schoolhouse Park.
The Fall Festival
The Fall Festival is on Saturday of the Labor Day weekend, 9-2 pm.This event features crafts, bake sale, and
white elephant items at the Guemes Island Community Center. Hot dogs and soft drinks will be for sale. Proceeds from the Festival go to the Betty Crookes Gold Scholarship Fund.
Holiday Bazaar
The Saturday after Thanksgiving features a gift and craft bazaar in the Community Center, and the Guemes Church Hall from 10-2 pm. The Bazaar benefits the Guemes Island Historical Society.
December Holiday Dinner and Community Celebration
Guemes neighbors, and families getting together to celebrate with a dinner at the Community Hall on the second Saturday of December. There are treats and activities for all the children. This is sponsored by all the Guemes Island Organizations.
Points of Interest On Guemes
Guemes Mountain
Enjoy a 1.2 mile hike with an elevation gain of 550 ft. along a winding trail through the forest. It is located on South Shore Road, which is approximately 2 miles from the ferry landing. There is limited parking at the trailhead. No overnight or camping.
Young’s Park
A 13-acre Skagit County Park is at 4243 Guemes Island Road, next to the Guemes Island Resort. Picnic, barbeque, hike trails, fish, or simply enjoying the water views. No overnight or camping.
Schoolhouse Park
Located in the middle of the island, this park was named for the one-room schoolhouse that was once located here and was built in 1885 and used until 1965. Currently many community events are held here at the Murray Read Pavilion and the Stage. There is a pavilion and picnic tables to sit at and enjoy a picnic and watch the children playing. Children can enjoy the playground equipment. There is a tennis and pickle ball court, basketball court, and small soccer field.
Kellys Point
Kellys Point is owned by the San Juan Preservation Trust. It is 27 acres of land with 3000 feet of shoreline and cliffs of towering yellow bluffs. It is the best place on Guemes Island to find agates which regularly drop from the buffs. On the southwest corner of the island.