Washington State Ferries expects a record number of travelers to ride the ferries from Anacortes this Fourth of July weekend.

WSF “strongly” encourages travelers to extend their stay to avoid the peak travel times, and to have solid backup travel plans.

“This is one of the best times to travel on a ferry,” WSF Communications Director Marta Coursey said in a press release. “We want to make sure everyone reaches their holiday destinations. We hope that people will book lodging, as we expect the number of travelers to challenge the capacity of the system.”

WSF is providing extra service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes during the holiday weekend:

— June 30, there will be a 6:35 p.m. departure from Anacortes to Lopez Island. This will result in the 9 p.m. sailing from Anacortes departing at 9:45 p.m.

— July 1, the inter-island vessel will operate a Friday night schedule with additional departures from Anacortes at 9:50 p.m. and 11:55 p.m.

— July 5, there will be a 2:15 p.m. departure from Friday Harbor to Lopez Island and Anacortes.

Paid parking is available at the Anacortes terminal. Some other resources to use in planning are:

— Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.
— San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau.
— San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.
— Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce.
— Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce.
— Town of Sidney, B.C..
— Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
— I Love Sidney.

For more ferry system information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.