Victoria Express

On clear, summer days, the best activity is sometimes simply being outside and enjoying the view. Taking the fastest 55 minute ferry between Victoria, BC and Port Angeles, WA is one great way to see snow-capped mountains and crystal blue seas. Another is to walk or bike along the Olympic Discovery Trail once you arrive in Port Angeles.

The ultimate goal of the Olympic Discovery Trail is to connect the Hood Canal Bridge to Forks (including a spar to Port Townsend) and provide a safe pedestrian and bike trail across the Olympic Peninsula. It's an admirable goal, and we all look forward to its completion. In the meantime, we happily explore the completed sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail.

This trail runs in front of the Landing Mall where our terminal is located. From the terminal head east and you will pass Hollywood beach in front of the Red Lion Inn. We can book your overnight lodging at the Red Lion if you plan to spend the night.

The trail is level in many sections and is ideal for families of all ages. As you continue to the east you will enjoy expansive views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, and off in the distance, Mount Baker. If you have enough energy, the trail will take you almost the entire way to Sequim (about fifteen miles), where you can dine at one of several excellent restaurants: The Alder Wood Bistro features terrific wood-fired cuisine and an extensive wine list in an intimate setting, and the Dockside Grill  in the John Wayne Marina overlooks lovely Sequim Bay.

Should you head west on the trail from our Port Angeles ferry terminal, you'll discover the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail at Ediz Hook. This thin strip of land jutting out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca affords jaw-dropping views of the Olympic Mountains rising behind historic Port Angeles. Bring your camera, bring a picnic, and find a spot to sit and soak in the views.

Before your return trip aboard the ferry to Victoria, stop for a bite to eat and a drink in the Landing Mall, where we are located. Wine on The Waterfront is a great spot to try a glass of Washington State Wine (they also have wine from around the globe), and good food in a casual atmosphere is found at Downriggers Restaurant and Smugglers Restaurant.

20th Anniversary - $20 Round Trip Victoria/Port Angeles

2010 marks the 20th anniversary for Victoria Express. To show our appreciation for all our customers, we are offering $20 round-trip tickets between Victoria and Port Angeles throughout the 2010 season ending September 19th. Take advantage of this great price, make your next visit to Port Angeles and explore the Olympic Discovery Trail.

For one of life's unforgettable experiences, let us make all your travel arrangements. Call today - 250-361-9144 CANADA or 360-452-8088 USA - Be sure to bring proper ID.

You've decided to explore the coast of the Olympic Peninsula. You take the passenger ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. You rent a car at Budget, just steps away from the Victoria ferry terminal, and you hit the road. But where to start? The coast of the Olympic Peninsula is vast, beautiful, and largely untamed. It's best to begin with a visit to the Olympic Coast Discovery Center, part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sactuary..

2009 Juan de Fuca Festival

The 16th Annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts in Port Angeles is a great way to spend May 22 – 25, 2009. Check out Victoria Express special sailings, deals on lodgings, and Arts Passes for Canadians during this fantastic event. Sunday, the festival will be celebrating Canada Day by featuring Canadian musicians such as Victoria natives Ivonne and Kalissa Hernandez, two fine fiddlers. Ivonne began playing the violin at the age of three, and by five she won her first contest. She has been developing her skill and her own unique sound ever since. When describing her Debut CD “Playing With Fire” on her website, Ivonne says “I’m going to be playing some traditional fiddle tunes, but my background is Chilean on my father’s side and east coast on my mother’s side, so all that will come together with my own modern sound.” Kalissa Hernandez is a tour de force at 20, with her award winning fiddling and step dancing. The two are sure to raise the roof when they play

Wild Cellist

Corbin Keep, from Gabriola Island, BC, is a cello virtuoso with a reputation as a wild cellist. How often do you get the opportunity to witness a wild cellist play? It is not to be missed. Also check out Tigers Folly; one of their most recent projects is “Stirring Up Ghosts”, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of British Columbia and fosters awareness of the Pacific Northwest. The Ecclestons, who were voted best live act on Vancouver Island in 2004, have been playing throughout Canada and the world for decades; they offer full contact folk music.

Ride the Victoria Express and walk to the festival’s seven interior and exterior venues. There are so many opportunities to hear great music, and Canada Day is a unique opportunity for Canadians to see a wide variety of top Canadian musicians close to home. You can choose from traditional bluegrass to big band swing, from international Latin jazz to Flamenco. You will be able to sit back and listen or get up and dance. This is the perfect time for Canadians to cross that water border and take advantage of an amazing array of talent on the Olympic Peninsula.

Victoria Express is offering the following special during the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts: Victoria Express Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts Special: Round Trip to Port Angeles from Victoria, Festival Passes and One or Two nights lodging at the Red Lion Inn and passes to the Festival: One night – Double Occupancy $251 / Two nights – Double Occupancy $477 USD – For reservations call 250-361-9444.

The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is a great place to visit once you’ve ridden the Victoria Express from downtown Victoria to downtown Port Angeles. The PAFAC offers a diverse series of exhibits that rotate every two or three months. A recurring exhibit is Strait Art, which promotes artists from the region around the Straits of Juan de Fuca. While it is a goal of the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center to promote local art, the center also looks around the globe for artists and exhibitions. One of the most popular exhibitions in recent years was Dreamtime: Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Art from Yuendumu, which showcased the burgeoning art movement of Australia’s indigenous peoples.

In mid-May, PAFAC will launch Portfolio 2009, its fourth annual showcase of Clallam high school student artists. Barabara Slavik, ArtPaths education director, acts as a mentor to the 26 students whose work has been selected for the show. During the three months leading up to the show, she helps instill a sense of professionalism in the students, and instructs them on how to create a coherent portfolio that underlines their individual talents. It is worth checking out the work created by these students from Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks and La Push.

When you visit PAFAC, make sure to allow time for strolling through Webster’s Woods, home to an outdoor exhibit since 2000. According to the museum’s website, in this museum without walls “there is a playful and not-always-distinct border between the artists’ creations, the flora and the natural features of this spectacular property. The transitory nature of many of the artworks makes for a visible evolution in the collection, even for the new or infrequent visitor, as marked through the constant changes manifested by the passage of the seasons.”

The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is located approximately two miles from the Victoria Express Ferry Terminal. Indoor exhibits are open for viewing Wednesday – Sunday, 11Am – 5PM. Webster’s Woods are always open. Admission is free.

Canadians and Americans alike need to remember that the open border we have shared for so long will soon require a passport or enhanced drivers license to cross. Come June 1, 2009, all travelers will need to provide one of these two forms of identification when crossing into Canada from the U.S., or into the U.S. from Canada. Fear not, with the proper documentation, border crossings should be as seamless as ever. Take advantage of the fact that passports and enhanced licenses are not required until June 1, and travel between Canada and the United States now. The Victoria Express is a great, scenic way to travel from Victoria to Port Angeles, and there are many reasons to do so.

Harry Manx

Sunday, May 24th, the 16th Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts will be highlighting Canadian performers with Canada Day. Mysticssippi performer Harry Manx is one of the festival’s most exciting guests this year, and folks will have three opportunities to see him perform on Sunday; he will be at the Elks Stage at 11am, the Main Stage at 5pm, and the Chamber Stage at 8:15pm. Manx has been called an “essential link between the music of East and West,” for he blends “Indian folk melodies with blues, a sprinkle of gospel, and compelling grooves” (see his website).

Manx tours throughout the world, and this opportunity to see him just a short boat ride away from home should not be missed. The Victoria Express is offering special packages for this event; so ride the Victoria Express and check out the 16th Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts in Port Angeles from May 22 – May 25. Details about our special are as follows: Victoria Express Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts Special: Round Trip to Port Angeles from Victoria, Festival Passes and One or Two nights lodging at the Red Lion Inn and passes to the Festival: One night – Double Occupancy $251 / Two nights – Double Occupancy $477 USD – For reservations call 250-361-9444.

This is guaranteed to provide foot-stomping fun.

Victoria Express will be available for private charters following the end of our 2009 sailing season. Here is your opportunity to enjoy a private afternoon or evening on the water.

Victoria Express features indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, restrooms, video screens and a PA system. Victoria Express is perfect for a wide variety of cruises around Port Angeles Harbor, Sequim Bay, Port Townsend Harbor, the San Juan Islands and other points of interest in the Puget Sound. Consider Victoria Express when you plan your next:

• Charter to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
• Company Picnic
• Client Social
• Business Luncheon or Dinner
• Sunset Cocktail Cruise
• Retirement Party
• Sales Meeting
• Wedding, Reception or Rehearsal Dinner
• Reunion or Anniversary Party
• Training Class or Workshop
• Private Eco-Tour
• Wine Tasting Cruise
• Or any other reason you want to get out on the water…

Call or E-mail today for more information:

Phone: (360) 452-8088 

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Now that we have completed our 2009 sailing season, our Victoria Express fleet is available for private charters. Here is your opportunity to plan your private holiday party on the water. 

Victoria Express features indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, restrooms, video screens and a PA system. Victoria Express is perfect for a wide variety of cruises around Port Angeles Harbor, Sequim Bay, Port Townsend Harbor, the San Juan Islands and other points of interest in the Puget Sound. Consider Victoria Express when you plan your 2009 Holiday event:

• Holiday Charter to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
• Sunset Holiday Harbor Cruise
• Or any other reason you want to get out on the water

 Call or E-mail today for more information:

Phone: (360) 452-8088

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Now is your opportunity to enjoy a private cruise on the water.

Victoria Express features indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, restrooms, video screens and a PA system. Victoria Express is perfect for a wide variety of cruises around Port Angeles Harbor, Sequim Bay, Port Townsend Harbor, the San Juan Islands and other points of interest in the Puget Sound. Consider Victoria Express when you plan your next holiday party, wedding reception, reunion or anniversary, company meeting or that special sunset cruise.

 Call or E-mail today for more information:

Phone: (360) 452-8088   -  E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Olympic Torch links modern Olympic Games with the original Olympic Games in Ancient Greece. In modern times, several months prior to the Olympic Games, eleven “priestesses” light the Olympic torch at the site of the original Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece. The flame then begins its journey around the globe, ultimately ending at the stadium of the Olympics on the day the games begin. The Torch Bearer uses the torch to light the flame in the Olympic Stadium.

TORCH TO ARRIVE IN VICTORIA

As the torch bearers make their way across Canada, they will be making history. Canada has the longest Olympic Torch relay in a single country, ever. Why not make an effort to witness the passing of the torch? When the torch arrives in Victoria, it will be as close as it gets for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Consider taking a ferry to Victoria, so you can be there, too.

The Torch Relay scheduled for Victoria brings the 2010 Olympics close for those of us living here across the border in the States. The Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games begins October 22, 2009 in Athens, Greece. Once illuminated, the flame with travel on a trans-Atlantic journey accompanied by host country Canada. Destination: Victoria on Vancouver Island, the capital city of British Columbia.

After its arrival, the flame will be accompanied by more than 12,000 torchbearers, who will travel by land-air-sea throughout Canada for more than 106 days. They’ll travel more than 45,000 kilometers (27,962 miles) before arriving in Vancouver on February 12, 2010 for the start of the Winter Games.

Don’t miss this historic event. Share the passing of the torch with your children.

Are you looking for travel suggestions? We can customize your travel plans with excellent travel packages from Port Angeles or Seattle to Victoria B.C. – We can make all of your travel arrangements. Call Today – 360-452-8088

Looking for something with a distinctly BC flavour….check out the Royal Museum in Victoria. There you can find finely crafted and unique, intriguing and informative gifts; books, art, jewelry, music, clothing and toys from the Royal Museum Shop offer the best of the province of British Columbia. You can even check out the exhibits before or after you shop, and make a day of it.

The Royal Museum Shop offers an exquisite selection of merchandise suitable for both personal and corporate gift giving. This selection includes original First Nations’ art pieces and jewelry, a broad range of books related to British Columbia, a wide assortment of children’s items, adult and children’s clothing, and other unique items available only at the Royal Museum Shop.

The Royal Museum Shop is owned and operated by the Friends of the Royal BC Museum Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise go directly towards supporting the many fine programs and special events at the Royal BC Museum.

The Royal Museum Shop is located inside the Royal BC Museum at 675 Belleville Street in Victoria.