A 45-passenger ferry is now making twice-daily runs between the Port of Everett Marina and Langley on Whidbey Island, giving Everett residents a car-free summer day trip that didn't exist before this year.

The Harbor Hopper, a pilot program run jointly by the Port of Everett and the Port of South Whidbey, launched its inaugural sailing on Thursday, June 4, aboard the chartered Hat Island Ferry. The crossing took about 35 minutes. Port commissioners from both districts were on board, and Whidbey Telecom's mascot "Orville" greeted passengers dockside.

The service runs Thursdays and Saturdays through Saturday, August 29. Upcoming sailings include Saturday, June 27, and Thursday, July 9, after a break for the holiday weekend.

What riders need to know

Fares: $10–$12 one-way; $16–$20 roundtrip.

Schedule: Two sailings each direction per operating day. Departures from Everett at 10 a.m. and either 6 p.m. (Saturdays) or 8 p.m. (Thursdays in July and August). Return sailings from Langley at 11 a.m. and either 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. No service on Wednesday, July 2, or Friday, July 4.

Capacity: 45 passengers per sailing. Walk-on only; no vehicles.

Tickets: Available at portofeverett.com/HarborHopperTickets.

Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett CEO and executive director, said the pilot is testing whether a permanent passenger-only route between the two port districts could work long-term.

"This is a great example of what can happen when ports work together to create opportunities for the communities they serve," Lefeber said in the Port of Everett's announcement. "The Harbor Hopper is a fun way to explore our two destination waterfronts with ease, support local businesses, and determine if this could be a long-term program."

Jim Pivarnik, Port of South Whidbey executive director, described the June 4 arrival in Langley as electric, saying he could feel the local buzz on the dock as the boat pulled in for the first time.

Dockside partners in Langley include Fisherman Jack's, The Muse Whiskey & Coffee, and Callahan's Firehouse Studio & Gallery.

The pilot wraps up August 29. No post-season evaluation date or decision on permanent service has been announced.