lscott

We took the Victoria Clipper to and from Victoria in early May. I have a reputation of getting seasick on anything but was not bothered at all by the Clipper.

April

Getting through customs by ferry is usually fairly painless, whereas the last time we crossed the border by car we were stuck idling for 45 minutes (in the summer though). I would probably take the Coho too, with a reservation to be on the safe side.

jojo7

April. We are going to do a walk-on and not take our truck since Victoria is walkable. Do you think I still need to make a reservation? I believe they accept reservation for walk-ons but I could be confusing it with something else. Thanks.

sunbum1944

dont think you need a reservation for a walk on- it was very easy at Tsawassen ferry- they had self serve ticket kiosk, after getting ticket I dropped off luggage and walked on. I always get a Nanaimo Bar ( a Canadian dessert ) and some coffee and head for one of the outside decks.
Victoria is a wonderful city- fortunately I have family there so makes it easy to visit.

rm_mn

When we took the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, our car was the last one off so of course we were the last through customs. I think we waited half and hour or more AFTER we got off the ferry. There is no guarantee the the ferry customs will be faster than the one on the highway.

traveller69

jojo - If you are not taking your vehicle and leaving from Port Angeles there is another option - The Victoria Express http://www.victoriaexpress.com/schedules.html It is much faster than the Coho but check the website for schedules and rates. It time is important I would recommend it.

jojo7

Unfortunately, Victoria Express start sailings in May and we are going in April. It would have been great since we are not taking our vehicle but I guess they don't have enough people to run it all year long.

April

I personally have never reserved on the Coho, although I would now if I was taking a car.

Since you're not taking your vehicle, I wonder if you can just play it by ear and take the Clipper if the weather looks calm. Or does the Clipper have to be booked well in advance?

When you say Victoria is walkable, does that mean Butchart Gardens is not on your agenda?

jojo7

April...
We are doing the Gardens but going to take bus transportation. The hotel we are staying at charges $15/a day to park and don't think we will use the vehicle much in our two day stay. I figured with the parking cost, plus the addition cost of taking the vehicle on the boat it may not be worth it. I never been to Victoria but everyone mentions that it is walkable, other than going to the Gardens. I did want to go to Oak Bay and just walk around and shop a little and was thinking of taking a tour (I know very touristy) but I wanted to experience a bit more than just the inner harbour. Given that, do you think having a car would be more convenient?
PS
You were so helpful when we planned our trip to Victoria in 2005 (thank you) but unfortunately, we had to cancel. Hopefully we will make it this time!

April

There's something to be said for not taking the car on the ferry and paying for parking at the hotel. A car is a hindrance downtown. I'm wondering how you are getting to Port Angeles. Is there a bus from Seattle? Or do you have to leave your vehicle near the ferry dock?

Does the tour include Oak Bay and Butchart's? Sometimes tours make sense when time is short. You could also take a city bus up to Oak Bay and back, or rent a car for a day.

Orcas

Or, you could rent bikes and ride to Oak Bay. It's a really easy and beautiful ride along a waterfront park to Oak Bay from downtown. Another option would be to take your bikes on the ferry. We took ours with us, but we also took our car, but you wouldn't have to. You could just walk on with your bikes.

jojo7

We are driving to Port Angeles and leaving our vehicle. When I briefly checked the Victoria's website, I think there is a fee for Buchart Gardens tickets with transportation and then another seperate tour that takes you to Oak Bay which includes extra time to walk around. I do like the bike idea if there is a bike trail or if it's along a park. (We have our 6 year old with us) Do you know of a specific place to rent bikes in Victoria? If we were taking our truck I would take our bikes but we have luggage with us so it's not an option.

Orcas

I don't know where you can rent bikes, but there is a tourist office directly when you arrive which you can't miss and you can ask there. You might want to take helmits in a duffle bag, if you think you will be renting bikes, or at least check into this.

The path is really pretty along the waterfront. It is a bike path all the way, if I recall, or at least was so easy it all seemed like a bike path. It isn't far. You can park your bikes at the other end.

We went during winter break with our bikes. It had been rainy in Seattle. It was beautiful in Victoria.

jojo7

Thanks again for your responses. It has been very helpful.

April

There is a bike rental place behind the Empress Hotel / Conference Centre at 747 Douglas Street. Don't know that I'd want a 6 year old biking around there but maybe the people who work there have some tips. Helmets are included in the rental.

Orcas

April, Don't you think that waterfront ride between downtown Victoria and Oak Bay is okay for a six year old, though? I'm thinking it is mostly on bike paths separate from the road, and through parks.

jojo7

I know I really got off topic on my Victoria Clipper post but if you don't mind, I wanted to ask if you had two days in Victoria, what would you do? There are four adults and two children, 6 and 14. We planned on doing the Museum and IMAX theater, Butchart Gardens and probably a tour around the Oak Bay area by bike (depending) or do a tour of the area by bus. Is there anything else I should try to fit in or do instead of my original plan? Any comments/suggestions?

Orcas

Jojo7, try searching on the Canada board and also post this question there. I like your ideas, but I'm sure there is more that the kids might enjoy, such as water activities. There are miniature museums, I think a bug museum and also some undersea adventure. Don't know if they are worth it or not. I'll be watching for the responses, too.

Bobmrg

jojo7, there is something called "The World of Miniatures" (or something close to that) right in the downtown area of Victoria. A marine museum and Madame Tussaud's, too.

traveller69

jojo here is the website for Tourism Victoria http://www.tourismvictoria.com/content/en/415.asp

You can find out about every attraction on it. Miniature World and the Wax Museum are within a block of the museum. We even have a Bug Zoo downtown - yuck but kids might like it.