Description: When on holiday I always like to have a wee cruise. Partly to do with being a boat owner myself, I suppose. It also offers a very peaceful way of getting around and offers a different perspective on things. I was glad, therefore, to see that Victoria Harbour Ferries operate a fleet of small passenger ferries which travel around the harbour.
We were able to step aboard without a reservation and we didn't have long to wait for there was a cruise departing every 12 minutes. The tour was scheduled to take 45 minutes. The cruise was like one of those sightseeing buses that are in so many cities. At the various stops---including Fisherman's Wharf, Ocean Pointe Resort, Coast Harbourside Hotel, Songhees walkway, and West Bay Marina and Floating Village---it was possible to get off and rejoin a different boat to get back. The skipper kept up a running commentary.
At various times we had to dodge out of the road as a seaplane took off or landed. Victoria's harbour is a classified aerodrome. The seaplanes are used for landing on lakes some of which are rather small.
At another point I was suprised to see poles sticking out of the water with nesting boxes attached. Apparently a conservation measure. One species of bird was threatening to wipe out another but this species wouldn't fly over water - the solution, nesting boxes over the water. Very clever!
The trip costs $12CD for adults and $6Cd for children under 12. Babies under 1 year ride for free.
Victoria Harbour Ferry Co. Ltd.
4530 Markham Street
Victoria, B.C. V8Z 5N3
Phone: 250-708-0201
Fax: 250-708-0401
email: brass@islandnet.com
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