Skippered Charters exploring British Columbia, Canada
Getting to Vancouver Island
Welcome to Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is the largest island off
the west coast of North America. Tucked against the mainland coast of
British Columbia and the north shore of Washington State's Olympic
Peninsula, Vancouver Island occupies an area about the size of Holland.
It stretches 500 kilometers (320 miles) southeast to northwest with an
area of 3,175,000 hectares (9,493,171 acres) and 3,460.0896 kilometers
(2,150 miles) of coastline. It is separated from Vancouver, BC by the
Strait of Georgia to the east and from Washington State, by the Strait
of Juan de Fuca to the south and southeast. Vancouver Island is actually
closer to the United States than to mainland west coast Canada.
A mountainous spine with peaks rising to 7,200 feet runs the length of
Vancouver Island, breaking into long mountain fjords on its west coast
that cut deeply into the island. Alberni Inlet cuts more than halfway
through the island, ending at the community of Port Alberni. Saanich
Inlet, in the Victoria area, is one of the few fjord inlets on Vancouver
Island's east coast. Along its southern half, the relief is so rugged
that the Malahat Mountain section of the Island Highway climbs to an
elevation of more than 335 metres (1,099 feet) above the inlet's waters.
The west coast of the island is mostly uninhabited, except for a
sprinkling of small communities, notably Ucluelet and Tofino, located on
either side of the world renowned Pacific Rim National Park. The open
Pacific Ocean washes up against its shores. Pockets of sandy beach add
to its rugged beauty and attract visitors from around the world. While
Vancouver Island’s west coast is mostly uninhabited, the Island’s major
settlements and roads are mainly clustered on its east coast, where the
ocean is protected. Lush forests of large Douglas Fir and western red
cedar thrive in the moderate, wet ocean climate across the Island.
Southern Vancouver Island
Vancouver International Airport - YVR
Vancouver International is a major hub for travelers from all around the globe. From Vancouver, you can connect to all transportation services operating to the Island and in and out of the Province. Visit the new web site for more information.
Victoria International Airport - YYJ
Several airlines operate daily connector flights to/from Victoria international Airport. The airport is approximately 10 miles north of the city proper so expect a $35 - $40 taxi fare. There is a hotel shuttle bus that leaves periodically throughout the day that will drop you at selected sites within the downtown area for around $13 CA. Limousine service is also available.
The Nanaimo Airport, located centrally on scenic Vancouver Island, is a thriving and modern air transportation gateway that offers an extensive range of amenities to the traveling public and the aviation industry.
Nanaimo Links
BC Ferries
http://www.gonanaimo.com
Gateway to Nanaimo, British Columbia, with travel articles and photos. BC Hotels Motels -a
travel and tourism directory for BC
www.nanaimohotelsmotels.com
www.bchotelsmotels.com
BC Ferries Information
Telephone (250) 386-3431 or Message Line:
(250) 656-0757 - Extensive ferry system linking the Lower Mainland with
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Hourly sailings in summer months,
7:00 am - 10:00 pm; odd hours in the winter months 7:00 am - 9:00 pm.
Telephone (250) 386-3431 or Message Line: (250) 656-0757 -
Extensive ferry system linking the Lower Mainland with Vancouver Island
and the Gulf Islands. Hourly sailings in summer months, 7:00 am - 10:00
pm; odd hours in the winter months 7:00 am - 9:00 pm.
Ferry traffic from
Vancouver arrives at Swartz Bay which is at the opposite end of the
peninsula and approximately 30 minutes from town. During peak summer
periods, waits can be long for boarding so arrive well in advance. The
trip from Seattle is just over 4 hours and from Vancouver, 1 hour and 35
minutes. It can take the better part of a day during the summer getting to
the ferry, crossing the strait and arriving at your accommodations in
Victoria. Alternately, the ferry from Horseshoe Bay, north of Vancouver,
sails to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.
You can also park and ride as secure parking is available in Seattle, Vancouver and Port Angeles. Victoria has an excellent public transit system along with taxi and limousine services. Each sailing from Vancouver also has motor coach service by Pacific Coach Lines available for downtown Vancouver terminal boarding , connections from Vancouver International Airport or for walk on traffic to get into Victoria. Victoria Terminal can be reached at 604-385-4411 and Vancouver at 604-662-8074.
Ferry
connections to/from the Gulf Islands are available from the Tsawwassen
(Vancouver) terminal as well as Swartz Bay (Sidney/Victoria) terminal.
Ferry service also runs from Horseshoe Bay in North Vancouver to Nanaimo as well as from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo.
Victoria Clipper
Telephone -1-800-888-2535 or
(206) 448-5000 or (250) 382-8100 - Jetfoil service Seattle to Victoria and
return. Passenger only vessels. The voyage is 2-3 hours depending .
Seattle's Pier 69 to Victoria's Inner Harbour.
The Coho - Port
Angeles, WA to Victoria Ferry
The Coho - Telephone (250) 386-2202 or (206) 457-4491 - daily sailings
between Port Angeles and Victoria Harbour.
Victoria Express
Telephone
1-800-633-1589 or Victoria (250) 361-9144 or Port Angeles (360) 452-8088 -
Daily passenger service between Port Angeles and Victoria's Inner Harbour
during peak season.
Washington State Ferry
Telephone (250) 381-1551 or
(250) 656-1531 In Washington State call (206) 464-6400 or 1-800-84-FERRY.
Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC (17 miles northeast of Victoria) 1 sailing
daily. Minimum of 2 during summer months.
Telephone 1-800-443-4552 or (206) 738-8099 - Daily passenger service
from Bellingham, Washington to Victoria's Inner Harbour. 1 sailing per day
May 11 to October 6, 2002.