zztop

I'm coming up from Oregon. Is it better to take the ferry from Port Angeles or from Anacortes to Victoria B.C.?

Gardyloo

Define "better."

zztop

If you were going to be doing this, which way would you go and why?

Orcas

I would think it would be faster to go from Port Angeles. Portland is about the same distance to both, but you don't have to go through Seattle to get to Port Angeles. I think the crossing is faster from Port Angeles also, but you'd have to check hours and times. The ferry from Anacortes goes to Sidney, which is about 1/2 hour north of Victoria, whereas the one from Port Angeles goes directly to Victoria.

Gardyloo

Anacortes - slower, more scenic, more hassle since fewer sailings, goes to suburban Victoria rather than downtown, drive from Oregon to Anacortes is faster, also less scenic than Olympic Peninsula. Plus the boat leaves in the morning so you have to be in Anacortes awfully early.

PA - faster crossing, less scenic, more sailings, goes to Inner Harbour, chance for good scenery on the way to PA.

You didn't ask, but the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay ferry (BC Ferries) is fast, frequent, cheap, scenic, and has better food. Around 20 min. north of the border.

Orcas

Easier to cross the border via ferry, though, than driving into BC, don't you think?

sarahbellum

If you're not taking your car, then you also have the choice of walking onto the Victoria Clipper. It departs from downtown Seattle and takes about 3 hours.

Gardyloo

Easier to cross the border via ferry, though, than driving into BC, don't you think?

Not necessarily; I've actually measured elapsed time using the 3 routes on occasion (I have no life) and the delay at the border can often be less than the added drive time to PA plus waiting time, and significantly less than the comparable Anacortes times. Remember the San Juan ferry stops en route to Sidney, and there's the yoga at Anacortes beforehand. Usually unless the border is really jammed it's quicker to take the BC boats, which run every hour IIRC.