Victoria Express

It isn't too early to plan for visiting Victoria during the 2010 Swiftsure International Yacht Race, May 29 and 30, 2010. After all, the intrepid sailors participating in the race are surely preparing for it now.

There are four courses in the Swiftsure: The offshore courses run 137 miles, 100 miles and 76 miles. An inshore course of 20 miles is open to yachts designed prior to January 1975. Spectators are welcome everywhere.

Will the winds and waves be wild? Or will it be a "Driftsure" year? No one can know for sure. What is certain is that Victoria will come out to celebrate this traditional event in spades, and you should be there, too.

Round Trip to Victoria Only $20

The 2010 Sailing Season for Victoria Express starts May 28, 2010. In other words, you can travel from Port Angeles to Victoria in under an hour just in time for the Swiftsure International Yacht Race. The best value of the trip is the 20th Anniversary $20 Round Trip to Victoria Special

Victoria Express is a fast and convenient way to travel between the Olympic Peninsula of Washington and Vancouver Island.

Our staff will be happy to make all of your travel arrangements for your visit to Victoria. Call 360-452-8088 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please see our ID Requirements to learn the most up-to-date identification requirements for travel between the United States and Canada.

This May 23-25, don’t miss the 66th Swiftsure International Yacht race in Victoria BC.

The origins of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race date back to the 1850s, with the first recorded sailing race in Victoria. At that time, the race was between the Royal Navy and local residents, and it didn’t look much like it looks today. The precursor to today’s race can be said to be the race of 1930, in which six boats sailed 140 nautical miles from the Inner Harbor of Victoria to the Swiftsure Bank, and back. Today a lot more than six boats participate, and racers can choose from three offshore courses and one in-shore course; there are nine different races which provide a challenging venue for every level of sailor/sailing yacht. The Swiftsure International Yacht Race has become THE premier sailing event in the Pacific Northwest. Even if you are not a sailor, you can’t help but enjoy the party atmosphere that infuses the whole of Victoria during the races. So why not travel from Port Angeles to Victoria BC aboard the Victoria Express and spend Memorial Day Weekend at the sailing event of the year?

In past years the party atmosphere in downtown Victoria reached epic proportions during the races, but these days the city is pleasantly festive; all visitors are invited to celebrate. There are many hotels within easy walking distance to charming downtown Victoria, and quite a few over look the harbor. When you are ready to turn away from the sea for a spell, there is a fabulous selection of restaurants and shops to peruse. Make sure to at least stroll by the Bimini at Ship Point. It has live music and serves the infamous Bimini Twist to warm racers from the inside out. Squeeze in and enjoy the atmosphere if there is room.

The Victoria Express offers many special packages from Port Angeles and Seattle to Victoria; check them out to see if one sounds right for you. Below are just a few ways to travel to Victoria and enjoy the Swiftsure International Yacht Race.

Package 1 – Express Special – Includes round trip ferry tickets from Port Angeles to Victoria aboard the Victoria Express, Butchart Gardens tour, afternoon free time in downtown Victoria. Starting from $84 per person.

Package 5 – Overnight Express Special – Includes round trip ferry tickets from Port Angeles to Victoria aboard the Victoria Express, Butchart Gardens tour, One-night hotel stay. Starting from $341 for two people.

Package 13 – Overnight with the Kids! – Includes 12:15 p.m. departure from Port Angeles, round trip from Port Angeles to Victoria aboard the Victoria Express, Royal BC Museum and IMAX adventure, one-night hotel stay, three-hour whale watching tour. Starting at $705 for two adults and two children 12 yrs and under. Pricing available for children 13 and over.