Vacations Blog

Victoria Ferry Coming into Port

The first thing of note about Victoria, British Columbia is that when making plans to travel there it’s likely that you’ll be traveling there by a ferry or cruise. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. The beautiful metropolis is a tourist hotspot in British Columbia, offering a rich history, beautiful architecture, much greenspace and a wide-variety of attractions. Although you can fly into the Vancouver International Airport and take a bus or car into Victoria, traveling by ferry is the primary mode of transportation to and from Victoria. Located just above Washington state, it’s a great day trip for travelers staying in the Seattle area.

BC Ferries is the primary operator of ferries in and out of Victoria. Visitors staying in the Seattle area, can pick up the ferry at the harbor in Seattle, near Pike Place Market, and take the ride up to Victoria. Ideal for the spring or summer, plan on setting out early in the morning to give yourself ample time to enjoy Victoria. Many of the ferries offer the feel of a cruise ship, without cruise ship prices. The ferries provide unique views of the Pacific shoreline and depending on the ferry, often include a gift shop and different dining options.

Reservations for Victoria ferries are recommended during peak travel times. Service usually begins at 7 a.m. and concludes at 9 p.m., with ferry rides usually lasting from one to two hours, depending on where you depart from. If traveling with a vehicle, then you can expect to pay between $40 to $50. Victoria is a great walking city, so vehicles are not required. If you plan on being a foot passenger and walking around the city or taking a taxi, then fares are between $10 and $20 per person on the ferry.

If you didn’t get enough of the water on the ferry ride over to Victoria, then there are many other boating activities in Victoria itself. For the adventurous traveler, there are several Victoria whale watching companies. For as little as $50, you can spend several hours cruising the waters with your guide to find one of the many orcas that take residence in the Victoria waters. Many of the Victoria whale watching guides boast a 90% chance of seeing at least one whale, while others offer a guarantee.

The next time you’re in British Columbia or even the Washington State area, consider seeing the beautiful Victoria, British Columbia by boat. Even if you can’t spend the night, Victoria’s boat tours and ferry rides offer an extraordinary Canadian experience.