NYguy

I will be in Seattle for basically 2 1/2 days from NY City in a few weeks and was wondering if people thought it would be worth it to take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria for the day? Have been to Seattle before so thought a side trip to Victoria might be fun..suggestions on what do in Victoria for the day?

John

Skip the Clipper and take a float plane from Lake Union in Seattle to the Inner Harbour in Victoria. Costs a little more, but lots faster, more scenic, and less contingent on swell size in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In Victoria, walk around, go on a bus tour to Butchart Gardens (touristy but still fun), go shopping downtown for tea or Marks & Spencer underwear or a Hudson's Bay Co. blanket, have a few beers and some good Indian food, photograph the BC Parliament building, visit the Provincial museum (one of the best small museums anywhere), poke around the cute wee Chinatown, back to the plane, return to Seattle with the sun setting behind the Olympics. Fun day.

NYguy

Has anyone taken the sea plane as opposed to the Clipper for just the day? Any comments? Also..how often does the Clipper really get cancelled (ie..I don't want to get stranded on victoria). Can anyone recommend other activities for a Sunday?
thanks

xxx

Instead of leaving the Seattle area, consider heading out to a day of hiking near Snoqualmie Falls. And a day trip to San Juan Islands is another option as opposed to going all the way to Canada.

NYguy

So..has anyone actually taken the seaplane from Seattle to Victoria for a daytrip..still torn between this and the Clipper.

John

NY Guy, I only suggested this because the Clipper takes 3+ hours when you add in the check-in and customs time, which x 2 means around 6-7 hours out of one day are consumed, leaving time in Victoria for only one or two activities. In summer the chances of cancellations or rough seas are reduced, but not eliminated. By comparison, the plane is about 45 minutes, and if you haven't flown on a float plane it can be a lot of fun.

But here's a thought - go one way in each contraption. See www.kenmoreair.com for plane times and fares, www.victoriaclipper.com for the Clipper. The two combined one-way fares probably aren't hugely more than the round-trips, might be worth it for the experience.

sheri

I've taken both (one each way on an overnight trip), and if you can spring for the extra $$, then I'd definitely fly. The view is great and it's much quicker, especially for a day trip.