I thought I’d kick this blog off with a trip from a previous year. Mainly because I’d already sorted through those photos!
Get up early – thank goodness for coffee – and catch the Black Ball Ferry for a day trip to Victoria. Take an early sailing so you can make the most of your time in Victoria.
The m/v Coho is 341 feet long – smaller than most of the WA State ferries — and a perfect way to get from Port Angeles to Victoria. At year older than I am, she’s in fine shape, though depending on the weather and time of year, the crossing can be a bumpy. Note: the cars are packed into the ferry, so make a quick exit from the car or you might find yourself blocked in and have to wiggle your way out (you can’t stay in your car during the crossing).
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles is the U.S. Coast Guard’s oldest operational air station, in operation since 1935. And you get a perfect view of it from the Black Ball ferry.
A 90-minute sailing puts you in at Victoria’s Inner Harbor, which is a 10-15 minute walk to downtown, or a short and easy cab/bus trip.
A welcome procession by, of course, Canada geese, as we docked.
A curious seal peering up at us from the dock.
There is so much to do in Victoria and I won’t get into it here, but I do recommend that if you get a chance, have a bite to eat Aura Waterfront Restaurant and Patio. Great food and a wonderful view of the harbor.
Spend the day (or even the night), and then take the ferry back to Port Angeles. There’ll be more great views, I promise!
As you cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca, be sure to keep an eye out for orca and humpback whales. You might get lucky, as I did with this humpback.
And here’s a video, put out by the Black Ball Ferry Line, so you can get a quick taste of this scenic route.
Unfortunately, due to international travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Black Ball ferry cancelled all sailings until January 31, 2021, but I’m hoping they will get back up and running this spring/summer.
Location:
101 E. Railroad Avenue, Port Angeles