I took a $6.50 ferry to a beautiful nature-filled island near Seattle. I'd recommend it to anyone in the area.

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By: Sharon McDonnell

16 December 2024 at 09:59

The writer Sharon McDonnell wearing a pink shirt with an illustration of a llama and "Mama Llama" shirt and holding a yellow rose while standing on a ferry deck — I took the Washington State Ferry to Vashon Island.
Sharon McDonnell

I took a $6.50 ferry to Vashon Island, a scenic spot near Seattle.
The ferry ride was only 20 minutes long and had beautiful views of the Puget Sound.
I had a great time on the island and even attended a llama happy hour on one of its farms.

I love exploring the many beautiful islands in Washington state.

Recently, I planned a trip to Vashon Island, one of the largest islands in the Puget Sound, just south of Seattle.

To get there, I booked a 20-minute ferry ride from Seattle on the Washington State Ferry. My ticket to Vashon Island was only $6.50.

Here's what it was like taking the ferry and exploring the island.

I started my journey to Vashon Island at the Faunterloy ferry terminal in Seattle.

A ferry terminal with cars lined on the right side of the street, gates separating the street from a walkway, and the sea in the distance — To get to Vashon Island, visitors must take a ferry.
Sharon McDonnell

Unlike the area's Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island isn't accessible via a bridge. This means all visitors have to take a ferry ride and arrange their trip around the scheduled departure times.

Although the ferry can accommodate cars for an extra fee, I didn't bring one with me on this journey.

To get to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal in West Seattle, I took a couple of buses from the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. When I arrived, I bought a $6.50 ticket at a booth inside the tiny terminal.

Soon enough, the ferry arrived, and I boarded with the other foot passengers.

Ferry cabin with windows looking onto the sea and ferry deck and wooden benches with a yellow rose resting on a seat — I was glad I didn't try to bring a car on the ferry.
Sharon McDonnell

Though only about a dozen of us boarded the 1,200-passenger ship, I saw many cars waiting to get on the ferry.

Needless to day, I was glad to be a foot passenger.

The ferry had beautiful views of West Seattle.

Windows in a ferry cabin looking onto deep-blue water, evergreen trees on an island, and small boats floating on the water — During the short ride, I admired the scenic views.
Sharon McDonnell

The ferry had an open deck with no seats and an indoor sitting area with booths and wooden benches.

During the 20-minute ride, I admired evergreen-clad views of West Seattle and the Puget Sound area (a system of interconnected waterways off Washington's northwest coast).

I also noticed a snack bar stocked with chips and beverages, but I planned on having dinner soon, so I didn't grab anything while on board.

Sure enough, we soon arrived at Vashon Island's docks. Once we docked, I caught a ride to my lodging about 4 miles from the terminal.

The next day, I headed to happy hour at Vashon Llamas.

A table with a white tablecloth, a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, and a llama standing next to the table. The llama's face is blurry. — I ate and drank wine while the llamas walked around the farm.
Sharon McDonnell

The following day, I visited a farm called Vashon Llamas, which offers a reservation-only llama happy hour for only $10.

The 90-minute happy-hour experience allows visitors to enjoy their own snacks and drinks, and pet llamas on the farm.

I loved feeding the llamas and talking to the farm's owner.

The writer Sharon McDonnell wears a purple T-shirt with a llama on it and smiles as she feeds a llama in front of a table — I got to feed and pet the llamas.
Sharon McDonnell

The happy-hour experience was adorable. One by one, llamas approached my table, and I got to pet them and feed them treats. For dessert, they munched on evergreen needles.

The farm's owner, Kelly, told me about how she transported her herd of 14 llamas from Wyoming to Vashon years ago, so even they have taken the Washington State Ferry.

Vashon Island is also known for its Oscar the Bird King sculpture, so I visited that, too.

Oscar the Bird King statue, which depicts a bearded man sitting on a chair, on Vashon Island — Oscar the Bird King was installed in 2023.
Sharon McDonnell

While on the island, I also stopped at Oscar the Bird King, a large wooden sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo that was installed in 2023.

To get there, I followed signs to the sculpture in Point Robinson Park, located on the east shore of Maury Island, which is connected to Vashon Island.

Overall, I had a great time on Vashon Island, and I'd definitely take the short ferry ride again.

A mural of a lighthouse and people kayaking on the sid of a building on Vashon Island — I'd recommend Vashon Island to anyone in the Seattle area.
Sharon McDonnell

Overall, I loved my visit to Vashon Island, and taking the ferry there was easy and cheap at only $6.50.

The people I met were friendly — and one local I met even drove me back to the ferry terminal after my three-night stay.

Visiting the island and dining with the llamas was a priceless experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something to do in the Seattle area.

This story was originally published on December 14, 2024, and most recently updated on December 16, 2024.

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