Question: What is the Victoria Express?

 

Answer: The Victoria Express operates 2 vessels providing daily, seasonal foot passenger service between Port Angeles, WA, Victoria, B.C., and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island; up to 3 trips daily between Port Angeles and Victoria, and 1 trip daily between Victoria and Friday Harbor.

Question: Can you make advance reservations on the Victoria Express?

 

Answer: The Victoria Express does accept advance reservations.  Reservations are highly recommended during peak season and on weekends.

 

Question: What is the cancellation policy?

 

Answer: We have a very generous cancellation policy. Reservations cancelled 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure are refunded without penalty. Reservations cancelled within 48 hours of sailing, up to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure, are refunded at 80%. Reservations become non-refundable 15 minutes prior to any scheduled departure. We will only accept cancellations via phone. Cancellations made by e-mail will not be accepted. Special Event Sailings are non-refundable when cancelled within 48 hours of their scheduled departure.

 

Question: Can I bring kayaks and bicycles on the Victoria Express?

 

Answer: Yes, we welcome both bikes and kayaks. The fee is $5 one way for both kayaks and bicycles between Victoria and Port Angeles. There is no charge for both kayaks and bicycles between Victoria and Friday Harbor.

 

Question: Can I bring my car and how much is it?

 

Answer: Victoria Express is a passenger only ferry, no cars are needed in Victoria. We dock in the heart of Victoria’s inner harbor where you’re steps from shopping, tourist attractions, the Royal BC Museum and the Legislative Building.

Question: Does Victoria Express allow pets?

Answer: Yes, pets are allowed on the Victoria Express. Canadian Customs requires written confirmation of good health as well as proof  of up to date vaccination records. Rabies tags will not do. In addition, Victoria Express asks that you sign a pet release form absolving us of liability if your pet misbehaves.

Question: What are the identification requirements?

 

Answer: Currently, passports are not required for U.S., Canadian and Mexican citizens. Travelers are encouraged to carry a passport if available. U.S., Canadian and Mexican citizens may carry a valid driver’s license and an original or certified copy of a birth certificate. Please go to our Identification web link for more information.

 

Question: How often do your boats leave from Victoria to Friday Harbor?

 

Answer: Once a day at 9:30am starting June 14^th and ending September 1st, 2008.

 

Question: How often does your boat leave from Victoria to Port Angeles?

 

Answer: Starting May 24th, our boats leave twice a day from Victoria. On July 19th , we add two more sailings and on August 24^th, we go back to two sailings a day until September 21st when our season ends.

 

Question: How long is the trip from Port Angeles to Victoria?

 

Answer: Approximately one hour.

 

Question: How long is the trip from Victoria to Friday Harbor?

 

Answer: The boat sails from Victoria at 9:30am and arrives in Friday Harbor at approximately noon. This cruise has unbeatable Orca whale watching opportunities as well as harbor seals, Dall’s porpoise, bald eagles, and other birds and wildlife.

 

Question: How long do you have in Friday Harbor and when do you arrive back in Victoria?

 

Answer: The boat sails from Friday Harbor at 3:30pm, so you have approximately 3 to 3 1/2 hours in Friday Harbor. The trip home is approximately 2 hours, so you should arrive back in Victoria by 5:30pm.

 

Question: Are there accommodations in Victoria, Friday Harbor and Port Angeles?

 

Answer: Yes, you can call Victoria Express directly to arrange for overnight stays or visit our website at www.victoriaexpress.com.

 

Question: What is there to do in Port Angeles for the day?

 

Answer: There is a lot to see and do within walking distance of the ferry terminal. Enjoy shopping, galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and more.

 

Question: Can we rent a car in Port Angeles, Victoria or Friday Harbor?

 

Answer: Yes. We have information on car rental agencies in all three of these cities. Please call us for more information. 360 452 8088 – U.S., 250 361 9144 – Canada.

 

 

- Hurricane Ridge: Hurricane Ridge visitor center is open seven days a week April through October. During the winter months, weather permitting, the Lodge and Hurricane Ridge road are open on weekends and holidays. Snowshoe trips are conducted during winter months. In the lodge you will find a snack bar, ski rentals and gift shop. Hurricane Ridge has over 3 million visitors each year and is the most popular destination when visiting Port Angeles. This trip is approximately 18.5 miles from downtown. http://www.portangeles.org/18.html

 

- Hoh Rain forest: It is a wet and wild temperate rain forest with huge 500-year-old trees. With about 150 inches of annual rainfall, timber grows there faster than anywhere else. You can take ground transportation or rent a car.

 

- Olympic Game Farm: The park offers buffalo, tigers, zebras, wolves, yaks and three varieties of bears for the public to enjoy. Walking and driving tours are available. You would need to rent a car for this trip. It is in Sequim (15 miles east of Port Angeles).

 

Question: What is there to do on San Juan Island?

 

Answer: There is a lot to see and do within walking distance of the ferry terminal. Enjoy shopping, galleries, the Whale Museum, antique shops, restaurants, and more.

 

 

Whale Museum: features fun and informative exhibits and interactive displays,

documentary movie, whale art, gift shop.

 

- Shopping/galleries: There are numerous museums, restaurants, lodging, galleries and boat and kayak rentals. Visitors can also choose to go on island charters, whale/wildlife tours, rent mopeds and cars. For more information, visit the San Juan chamber of commerce - http://www.sanjuanisland.org

 

Biking: Mix of terrain for biking. Check out more information at Mike’s bikes.

 

Transportation: Buy a pass from San Juan transit and tour some of the attractions listed below. http://sanjuantransit.com/

 

- Whale Watch Park: Perhaps the best place in the world to see Orca whales from shore. Stunning views to Victoria, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Mountains.

- American camp: 1200 acres of prairie and forest, five miles of beach. Birding with over 200 species. Contains historic buildings and features from 19^th century British and American joint occupation of the island during the “Pig War”.

- Roche Harbor: Historic village, lodging, shops, restaurants, marina, whale/wildlife tours, hiking, kayaks, charters, boat launching.

- San Juan County Park: Beautiful facility overlooking Haro Strait and Vancouver Island. Whale watching, scuba diving, bike, hike, tent camping, boat and kayak launching. Picnic tables and grills also available.

 

Question: What can U.S. residents gone less than 48 hours from the U.S bring back with them from Canada?

 

Answer: Each person may bring articles made in the U.S./Canada valued up to $200 U.S. duty-free. This dollar amount may not include more than 50 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 150 ml of alcoholic beverages; otherwise all articles are dutiable. For more information, please pick up a Duty Free brochure at the Victoria Express terminal.

 

Question: What can U.S. residents gone at least 48 hours from the U.S bring back with them from Canada?

 

Answer: Each person may bring articles valued up to $800, including, if at least 21 years of age, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. For more information, please pick up a Duty Free brochure at the Victoria Express terminal.

 

Question: What can Canadian residents bring back with them from the U.S.?

 

Answer:  Please CLICK HERE for up to date information on this question.

 

 

Answer: Handguns and weapons like mace and pepper spray are prohibited from entering Canada. Also, some fruits, vegetables, meats and plants from other countries cannot be brought into Canada.