Residents of Lummi Island and anyone planning to visit the island this fall have a critical planning window approaching. The Whatcom Chief, the only vehicle ferry serving Lummi Island, will depart for its scheduled dry dock on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The ferry is expected to return to regular vehicle service on Sunday, October 4, 2026, though that date is tentative and depends on the scope of repairs needed at the shipyard.
For the nearly three weeks the Whatcom Chief is out of service, island residents without a boat will be relying entirely on passenger-only ferry service. Vehicles will not be able to travel between the island and Gooseberry Point during that period, which has significant practical implications for anyone who lives on the island, owns property there, or plans a fall visit.
The Final Days of Vehicle Service
The last day for regular vehicle ferry service is Friday, September 11, 2026. Whatcom County Public Works is running a full schedule of runs that day, and has specifically identified the final two departures providing vehicle service as the midnight run from Lummi Island to Gooseberry Point and the 12:10 a.m. Saturday run from Gooseberry Point to Lummi Island.
If you need to get a vehicle from the island to the mainland, or from the mainland to the island, before the dry dock period begins, September 11 is your last opportunity. There are no exceptions once the switchover begins on the morning of September 12.
Saturday, September 12 is the switchover day itself. Float installation will occur at both terminals in the morning, and no ferry service of any kind will be available during that process, including emergency runs. Passenger-only ferry service is expected to begin at noon on September 12 and will make the remaining scheduled runs for the rest of that day.
Sunday, September 13 brings another interruption. Gangway installation at both Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point terminals will suspend all passenger-only service until mid-afternoon. The last run from Lummi Island on Saturday night will be at midnight, and the last from Gooseberry Point at 12:10 a.m. Sunday. Passenger service is expected to resume at approximately 2:00 p.m. Sunday from Lummi Island. No emergency runs will be available during this window, and island residents should plan accordingly for any medical or urgent needs during those hours.
Passenger-Only Service Details
Once the Whatcom Chief is away, the passenger ferry will operate with a maximum capacity of 55 passengers per run. Pets are allowed on the stern of the vessel only, with owners responsible for pet behavior at all times. No pets are permitted inside the cabin.
Bicycles are also allowed on the stern, with a maximum of six per run. Cyclists should be prepared to lift their bicycles overhead if space is limited, or wait for a later departure. E-bikes are permitted. The passenger-only ferry can accommodate non-motorized wheelchairs only, as motorized wheelchairs are too wide for the vessel's openings. Whatcom County Public Works has one non-motorized wheelchair available for public use on a first-come, first-served basis; call 360-815-5603 on your travel day to arrange for it to be left at the terminal.
Riders using the wheelchair accommodation should bring a second person to assist with transfers and boarding, as ferry crew cannot provide physical assistance during that process. Gangway ramps can be steep during low tide periods, so timing travel to coincide with higher tides can make access significantly easier. Per Coast Guard regulations, gas cans are prohibited on the passenger-only ferry. Fuel planning for any island equipment or vehicles should be done before September 12.
Parking and Logistics at Gooseberry Point
Vehicle parking at Gooseberry Point will remain available in designated areas during the dry dock period, with maps posted at the terminal and online through the Whatcom County Lummi Island Ferry page. Parking maps for both Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point will be available by mid-August. Vehicles parked outside designated areas will be towed at the owner's expense with no exceptions.
Temporary accessible parking will be created at Gooseberry Point after the queuing lanes are reduced from two lanes to one. That modification is expected to be complete by late afternoon Thursday, September 10, making the temporary accessible area available beginning Friday, September 11. Accessible spots are first-come, first-served with no advance assignment.
The shuttle van service that previously ran during dry dock periods has been discontinued. There will be no shuttle service in 2026, so foot passengers arriving at Gooseberry Point will need their own transportation to and from the terminal.
Staying Updated
The return date of October 4 is an estimate. Dry dock repairs can take longer than anticipated depending on what crews find once the vessel is out of the water. If the schedule changes, updates will be posted to the ferry webpage, the county's social media channels, and via email notification for subscribers.
Anyone who uses the Lummi Island ferry regularly should sign up for email updates through Whatcom County to get real-time notice of any schedule changes during the dry dock period. You can also check conditions in Bellingham and Whatcom County more broadly at coverage of other local road and transit updates for context on regional travel during fall 2026. Tide restriction information relevant to wheelchair users and boaters is available through the NOAA Cherry Point tide station.
