Security
WSF has implemented a U.S. Coast Guard approved security plan, for more information please click on the security link: Security
Transportation Information
Parking
Metropolitan Park Services handles adjacent parking.
Airport
- Keep right on North Exit Dr. towards WA-99 / S. 170th St. / Freeway 518.
- Follow the road signs to the freeway. Drive north on WA-99 to enter eastbound on 518.
- You will need to get on I-5 South from 518, which you can find by following the road signs.
- Take I-5 south for approximately 18.7 miles to state route SR-525.
- From I-5 south, take exit 132, turn right onto the ramp towards WA-16/South 38th St./Gig Harbor, and stay on for 3.2 miles.
- Turn right(West) onto the ramp heading towards 6th Ave., then turn left onto 6th Ave.
- Turn right (North) onto North Pearl Street, and stay on for about 3 miles, North Pearl Street becomes SR-163 and ends at the ferry terminal.
- You will arrive at the terminal which is located at 5810 N. Pearl St.
Motorcycles
While motorcycles are not, by Washington Administrative Code (WAC 468-300-700), a preferential loading category of users, they are often loaded prior to automobiles for operational and staging purposes. Arrival at the dock after vehicle load has commenced requires motorcycles to wait until all cars have been loaded for the next motorcycle loading opportunity. Motorcycles should proceed, while on the dock, at no more than 10 mph. Use caution when car decks are wet. The following information details specific staging for this terminal:
Motorcycle Fare Purchase/Redemption
Roundtrip Fares Purchased at Point Defiance, Kiosk, or Online.
Purchase tickets at the auto tollbooths, at the passenger booth, at the kiosk inside the terminal waiting room, or online in advance.
Pre-ticketed customers can be scanned by ticket taker.
Motorcycle Entry/Staging
Traffic permitting, may bypass holding lanes by using local access lanes and purchase fare at the booth on the dock.
Motorcycles entering the upper tollbooth area are instructed to exit out of the holding lanes then proceed down to lower dock across from passenger ticket booth.
Motorcycle Loading
Loading order: bicycles, motorcycles, vehicles, late arriving motorcycles as space permits.
Motorcycle Special Communication
If vessel is off-loading, please wait to access holding area.
Motorcycles traveling in large groups must check in with the seller, located at the top of the hill, in the upper tollbooth for processing.
Trucks
The vessel assigned to this route has a height clearance of 16'. The overhead wires on the way to the terminal and at the terminal are only 13' 6", so anything higher will not be able to get to the terminal. Trucks over 80,000 GVW or over 8' 6" in width must fill out an oversize vehice request prior to boarding. Please fill out our Oversized/Overweight Vehicle Travel Request Form by downloading a .pdf version of the form and fax it to us at (206) 515-3846. Please allow three business days for completion and approval. You can contact us at anytime for status updates at (206) 464-6400 (Seattle).
Trucks with a ground clearance of less than 14" may not be allowed to travel to/from Vashon Island during periods of extreme low tides. Vashon Low Tides
Bikes
Bicyclists may bypass the line of vehicle traffic to get onto the lower ferry dock where they can secure their bike and purchase their tickets from the lower booth. Bicyclists should arrive 20 minutes prior to departure time to be loaded at the beginning of loading process. If a bicyclist arrives after vehicle loading has begun, they will be loaded at the end of the load. . Riders should walk their bikes on and off the ferry to avoid injuring passengers. Terminal has two lockers through Pierce Transit but no bike racks.
HOV
Carpool/Vanpools must be ticketed and in line 10 minutes before scheduled sailing time to receive preferential loading. If you are late, you will be loaded on a space available basis at the end of the loading.
For information or to register for our rideshare program check online at: Rideshare
Fare Discounts
On the Pt Defiance/Tahlequah route fares are collected going to the island. There are no tolls or fares sold or collected at Tahlequah. In fact, there is no staff at Tahlequah; WSF terminal employees arrive via the vessel that is landing at Tahlequah.
We offer seniors (65+), persons with disabilities and passengers with a Medicare card, or other eligibility verification, travel at half the regular passenger fare rate. We offer special rates for youth 6-18 years of age. Children, 0-5 travel free.
Multi-ride cards are good for 90 days from the date of purchase and are non-refundable.
For fares, check on line at: Fares
Lost and Found
All lost & found items on this route are turned into the Point Defiance Terminal. You can reach the Lost & Found Department at 206-515-3439. Their hours of operation are 10:00am - 6:00pm Thursday-Monday and closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our Information Agents can also assist you with lost & found inquiries from 7:00am through 6:45pm daily at 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977.