Welcome to Anacortes

Anacortes is a port city located on Fidalgo Island facing Padilla Bay and providing ferry services through the Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands and Sidney, north of Victoria in British Columbia.  This access to the bay and the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and to the San Juan Islands gives visitors many opportunities to enjoy a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including the San Juan Island National Historical Park.  The Shannon Point Marine Center is an educational and research center for the marine sciences located in Anacortes.  The Pacific Northwest Marine Activities Association has information about whale watching, kayaking, wildlife tours and other water-based opportunities from and around Anacortes for recreation.  Fidalgo Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge on state route WA20 crossing the Swinomish Channel leading to the flats of Skagit Valley and Interstate 5 at Burlington.

The port of Anacortes still retains some international cargo shipping activity exporting lumber to nations around the Pacific Rim.  It was and remains a very active home to a large fishing fleet which once supported a thriving cannery.  The Anacortes History Museum has exhibits with additional information about these and other aspects in the lives of the city and its people.  A large marina accommodates many private vessels.

The Online Encyclopedia of Washington History has several articles on the history of Anacortes and its people, including Puget Sound's Cod Schooners and artists Philip McCracken and Harry Everett Smith.  Use the search option on the encyclopedia's web site for more articles.

The Samish Coastal Salish Cultural Interpretive Center is a very good resource for learning about the Samish Indian Nation who live here and whose ancestors inhabited this area prior to the arrival of settlers from other parts.  Click here for more on the Samish Tribe, the Coast Salish and the Native Americans of Puget Sound

There is a good selection of lodging and dining facilities in Anacortes.

The City of Anacortes, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce have additional information on their web sites to assist with travel planning.

Transportation:  Skagit Transit provides bus services in Skagit County including a route from Anacortes to Burlington and Mount Vernon on Interstate 5.

Airports:   Anacortes Airport provides commercial passenger services to the San Juan Islands and general aviation services.   Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the nearest major airport with national and international services.  Bellingham International Airport is another convenient airport with regional and national services.

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