Q: When does the Jetty Island ferry open in 2026?
A: The Jetty Island passenger ferry runs July 8 through September 6, 2026, Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations are required and cost $4 per person Wed-Thu and $7 Fri-Sun. Children 2 and under ride free. The ferry departs from Jetty Landing at 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett.

Jetty Island Ferry Returns July 8: Your Complete 2026 Guide to Everett’s Best Free Beach

Mark July 8 on the calendar. That’s the day the Jetty Island ferry season officially starts in 2026, and that’s the day Everett’s two-mile-long sandy island park becomes accessible again to anyone who can get to the marina. The ferry runs through September 6 — exactly two months of the only beach in Western Washington that actually feels like a beach.

If you’ve never made the trip, here’s the short version: Jetty Island is a man-made, two-mile-long sandbar just off the Port of Everett, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. There’s warm water on the inner shoreline (the channel side warms up in the summer sun), wind for kiteboarders on the outer shoreline, miles of walking, and almost no infrastructure. Bring what you need, take what you brought. That’s the deal.

The 2026 Ferry Schedule

The passenger ferry runs Wednesday through Sunday from July 8 through September 6, 2026. Operating hours by day:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 AM to 5:45 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 10 AM to 6:45 PM
• Sunday: 10 AM to 5:45 PM
• Monday and Tuesday: No ferry service

The ferry departs from Jetty Landing, which is right next to the boat launch at the corner of 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett. There’s parking near the launch, but on a hot weekend in August it fills up fast. Get there early or be prepared to walk a few blocks.

Reservations Are Required (Yes, Even on Weekdays)

This is the part that trips up first-timers. You cannot just show up. All ferry rides require advance reservations through the Port of Everett’s reservation system. Walk-up tickets are not sold at the dock.

Pricing for 2026:

• Wednesday-Thursday: $4 per person
• Friday-Sunday: $7 per person
• Children 2 and under: Free

Applicable taxes and a small booking fee apply at checkout. Reservations open up at portofeverett.com — and for prime weekend slots in July and August, they go fast. If you know you want to be there a particular weekend, book it the moment the schedule goes live.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Jetty Island is intentionally left rustic. There are no concessions. There is no drinking water. There are vault toilets and that’s it. Pack:

• Water — more than you think you need. Two miles of beach in August sun without shade is a long day.
• Sunscreen and a hat — there is genuinely zero shade on most of the island.
• Snacks/lunch — and a trash bag. Pack out what you pack in.
• Wind layer — even on hot days the outer beach gets a steady afternoon wind off the Sound.
• Beach toys, a kite, or a paddleboard — the channel side is calm and warm enough for all-day water play.

Pets are allowed, but they need to stay on leash. There’s no lifeguard service. Watch the tide schedule — at extreme low tides the channel between the mainland and the island gets shallow enough to expose long stretches of mudflat, which is fascinating to look at and miserable to walk through.

Why the Ferry Closes Early on Hot Days

This is the one operational quirk to plan around. When the island reaches maximum capacity — which happens on hot weekends in late July and August — the ferry can stop running new round-trips early. The return ferries still operate to bring everyone back, but if you show up at 2 PM on a 90-degree Saturday and the ferry is paused, your reservation may not get you across. Earlier is better.

Inclement weather can also cancel ferry service. The Port posts updates on the day-of through their site and social channels.

The Things People Don’t Realize About Jetty Island

The water is actually warm. The channel side, sheltered from the Sound, gets shallow and sun-heated through the day. Kids can wade for hours. It’s the warmest swimming water you’ll find anywhere in Snohomish County.

It’s a kiteboarding hotspot. The outer shoreline catches a consistent westerly afternoon wind in summer, and the local kiteboarding community treats Jetty as one of the best spots in the region. If you’ve ever wanted to watch the sport up close, head to the south end of the island in the late afternoon.

The bird life is wild. Jetty is on the Pacific Flyway and is a Snohomish County designated wildlife area. Bald eagles, herons, oystercatchers — bring binoculars if you’re into that.

You can paddle there. If the ferry is full or you’ve got your own kayak or paddleboard, the channel from the marina is short, calm, and well within reach for a casual paddler. Bring a leash for your board and a PFD.

Getting to Jetty Landing

Jetty Landing is at 1700 W. Marine View Drive, right next to the Port of Everett’s 10th Street boat launch. From I-5, take exit 193 (Pacific Avenue) and head west until Marine View Drive, then turn north. The boat launch parking lot is signed.

Everett Transit’s Route 7 stops within about a half-mile walk if you’d rather not deal with parking. On weekends the bike racks at Jetty Landing fill up too, which tells you something about who knows what they’re doing.

What to Do After the Beach

Coming back from a Jetty day around 5 or 6 PM puts you right at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place — which has the best dinner options in the area and is about a five-minute walk from where you’ll dock. Tapped Public House, Rustic Cork, and the new Sound to Summit taproom on the south side of the marina are all right there. The Net Shed Fish Market & Kitchen is another great option for a casual dinner with a view.

Make a day of it: ferry over for a morning swim, beach lunch, kite-watching afternoon, then dinner on the waterfront when you get back. That’s an Everett summer Saturday done right.

The Big Picture: Jetty Days 2026

The Port of Everett’s Jetty Island Days programming runs alongside the ferry season July 8 – September 6, with naturalists, environmental education programs, and family activities scheduled throughout. The full programming calendar typically goes live in mid-June. Watch portofeverett.com for the schedule.

This is a free island park (the only cost is the ferry ride). It is a genuinely unusual asset for a city the size of Everett. And once you’ve been once, you’ll find a reason to go back every summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Jetty Island ferry open in 2026?
July 8, 2026.

When does the ferry season end?
September 6, 2026.

How much is the ferry?
$4 per person Wednesday-Thursday, $7 per person Friday-Sunday. Children 2 and under ride free.

Where do I make ferry reservations?
Through portofeverett.com. Reservations are required — there are no walk-up tickets.

Where does the ferry leave from?
Jetty Landing at 10th Street and W. Marine View Drive in Everett, next to the Port of Everett boat launch.

What days does the ferry run?
Wednesday through Sunday. No ferry service Monday or Tuesday.

Can I bring my dog to Jetty Island?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be on leash.

Is there food on Jetty Island?
No — bring your own food, water, and pack out all trash.

Can I kayak or paddleboard to Jetty Island?
Yes. The channel from the marina is short and calm in good weather. Wear a PFD and use a board leash.

Are there bathrooms on the island?
Yes, vault toilets only. No running water.

Can the ferry be canceled?
Yes, the ferry may close due to weather or when the island reaches maximum capacity on busy days. Check portofeverett.com for day-of updates.