BLACK BALL FERRY SERVICE RESUMES IN NOVEMBER BETWEEN PORT ANGELES, WA AND VICTORIA, BC

 

MV Coho arrives in Victoria, BC

Ferry service aboard the MV Coho between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC resumes on Monday, November 8, 2021. There will be two sailings a day in each direction for the remainder of 2021. The popular service between the US and Canada has not been running for the past 18 months due to COVID-19.

All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show a proof of vaccination card or a photo of it. Click on the link for the other requirements for entering Canada from the US.

The M/V Coho arrives in Port Angeles from Victoria

Travelers may begin making reservations online or by phone the morning of Monday, October 25. 

Daily Departures

Port Angeles to Victoria: 8:20AM and 2:00 PM

Victoria to Port Angeles 10:30AM and 4:00 PM

Sailing time is 1 hour, 35 minutes

Read more about the MV Coho in a previous blog post. 

©SueFrausePhotos

Victoria's Oswego Hotel Package Includes Roundtrip Passage on MV Coho

MV Coho arrives in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

My two favorite ways to travel to Victoria on Vancouver Island are via Kenmore Air and the Black Ball Ferry Line. If you don't have a lot of time, Kenmore Air is a fast and scenic way to go. It's about a 30-minute flight from Seattle's Lake Union to Victoria's Inner Harbour. The Black Ball's MV Coho is a 90-minute sailing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria's Inner Harbour. But it's such a cool ship and a fun way to travel -- and you might even see a pod of orca like I did on a trip last summer. 

The Oswego Hotel is in a quiet residential neighborhood near the Inner Harbour.

The Oswego Hotel is offering a dandy package called Sip, Savour and Save. The package includes: 

• Round-trip ferry fare on the MV Coho
• Overnight in a one-bedroom suite
• Two (2) passes to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
• BC wine or locally brewed craft beer 
• House-made caramel truffles
• Complimentary parking 

Package rates start at $108 per person/double occupancy for walk-ons and $152 per person/double occupancy for drive-ons. Click on the Black Ball link to book online.

A stroll along the Inner Harbour from The Oswego Hotel brings you to Fisherman's Wharf.

Photos by Sue Frause

Win a Two-Night Christmas Getaway in Victoria Aboard Black Ball Ferry Lines' M/V Coho

The MV Coho arrives in Victoria, BC. Photo by Sue Frause

Share you favorite Christmas tradition, and you could win a trip to Victoria, BC on the Black Ball Ferry Line. The Victoria Christmas Traditions Contest has a wonderful Grand Prize that includes:

• Round-trip for vehicle/driver + 1 adult + 2 children aboard the MV Coho between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC
• Two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
• Family pass to The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas display (ice skating included)
• Family pass to Craigdarroch Castle, decorated in traditional Christmas style (includes gift basket with castle mugs, tea and DVD)
• Family pass to the Royal BC Museum to view the festive exhibits

Go to the entry form on Black Ball's website and share your favorite Christmas tradition (you don't need a Facebook or Twitter account to enter). The contest runs through December 4, 2013.

Win round-trip sailing and hotel package to Victoria, BC on Black Ball Ferry Line's M.V. Coho

I'm headed to Victoria, BC this week, but am not taking the usual route. Generally, I travel aboard Washington State Ferries (WSF) via Anacortes to Sidney on Vancouver Island. Or if I want to get there quickly and am ready to splurge, I'll fly Kenmore Air from Lake Union in Seattle directly to Victoria. 

But this week's route is one that I haven't taken in more than 30 years: Black Ball Ball Ferry Line's M.V. Coho from Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC. It's a bit more complicated, as I have to take WSF from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend, then drive to Port Angeles. But I'm so looking forward to the 90-minute sailing. Every time I see the M.V. Coho in port at the Victoria Harbour, I'm always a bit envious that I'm not on board. She turned 50 years old in 2009 and is still lookin' good.

I'll be taking my car so I can do some exploring around Victoria. And since I'm on a 12:30 PM sailing, I'll be curious to see what food is available on the big boat. According to M.V. Coho's website, there's a cafeteria on board. Let's hope the food is better than the Washington State Ferries! I've never figured out why WSF can't ramp it up a bit in the cuisine department ... BC Ferries has far better offerings on their routes than my local boat company.

Here's a fun contest being offered by Black Ball Ferry Line. They're calling it Fall In Love Again in Victoria, and it's open to both US and Canadian residents (18 and over) until Oct. 12, 2012. Here's what you'll win if your name is selected (enter here): 

• Scenic crossing between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC aboard the M.V. Coho. Valid for round-trip passage for one vehicle and two adults.
• Two-night stay at one of Victoria's Historic Inns, a group of heritage accommodations. Pick you pleasure with a $150 Visa Gift Card.
• Selection of Rogers Chocolates, a chocolate maker operating out of Victoria, BC since 1885.

M.V. Coho at Black Ball Ferry Line terminal in Port Angeles, WA
Photo by Sue Frause

Black Ball's M.V. COHO sails through September with expanded schedule

The Black Ballery Ferry Line terminal in Port Angeles | Photo by Sue Frause

As often as I write about Black Black Ferry Line's M.V. COHO, I haven't been aboard the ship for more than 30 years. That's all changing next month, when I've booked a round trip between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC in mid-September. I'm so looking forward to it!

Fortunately, Black Ball's increased summer sailing schedule runs through September 24, 2012. That means there are eight sailings a day between the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. The M.V. COHO departs Port Angeles daily at 8:15 AM, 12:45 PM, 5:20 PM and 9:30 PM. She returns from Victoria at 6:10 AM, 10:30 AM, 3 PM and 7:30 PM. Special offers and travel packages to Victoria and Vancouver Island are available at CohoFerry.com, along with trip planning information.

While aboard the M.V. COHO, which operates year-round passenger and vehicle service, there are numerous onboard amenities during the 90-minutes sailing. They include a cafeteria, solarium viewing area on the top passenger deck, gift shop and duty free shopping. During it's 50+ years in service, the M.V. COHO has transported more than 22 million passengers and six million vehicles.

The M.V. COHO arrives in Victoria's Inner Harbour | Photo by Sue Frause

Black Ball Ferry's M.V. Coho expands sailings

Just in time for Canada's May Long Weekend (May 19-21) and Memorial Day Weekend in the US (May 26-28), the Black Ball Ferry Line launched its expanded spring schedule this week. Beginning May 17, there are six sailings a day on the M.V. COHO's scenic 90-minute voyage between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC. The COHO departs Port Angeles daily at 8:15AM, 12:45PM and 5:20PM. The 8:15AM and 5:20PM are new departure times, marking a change from previous schedules. Return sailings from Victoria to Port Angeles are at 10:30AM, 3PM and 7:30PM daily.

An annual Memorial Day weekend event is the Swiftsure, hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, May 26-28 in Victoria. It's the oldest and largest annual yacht race in the Pacific Northwest, attracing more than 200 competing yachts and 1,400+ racers from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. The annual event features family maritime activities on the city's waterfront. 

Between May 23-25, people may view the Swiftsure yachts in front of The Fairmont Empress Hotel and tour a 70-ft. racing yacht. Other activities include the Swiftsure Beer Garden at Ship Point in Victoria's Inner Harbour, inflatable toys for kids at Ship Point, and a pancake breakfast at Clover Point. See the complete list of Swifsture public events for details.

Black Ball's M.V. Coho arrives in Victoria's Inner Harbour 

Photo by Sue Frause

Port Angeles Victoria Tourist Bureau offers unique traveler services

Outdoor lover Bob Stepp calls the nearby Olympics "the finest mountain chain in the world."

I walked into what I thought was the Port Angeles Visitor Center and the friendly fellow told me I was on the wrong side. Wrong side? Turns out I needed to go to the front of the building, where I would get information about Port Angeles and the Olympic Peninsula.

I was in the "Canadian" side of the building, better known as the Port Angeles Victoria Tourist Bureau, a unique travel center that has been operating for 23 years. Heading up the shop all that time is Bob Stepp, a California transplant who came to Port Angeles with the intent of opening up an advertising agency. His office was located inside the nearby Victoria Centre, and people were always wanting to know about Victoria. So he decided to come to their rescue and work in conjunction with Victoria and Vancouver Island, offering services to travelers. The Port Angeles Victoria Tourist Bureau was born, and Bob says the Olympic Peninsula makes it easy for him to say, "There's no place I'd rather live." Of course he's also a big fan of British Columbia, and knows a lot about Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Conveniently located on Railroad Avenue just down from the Black Ball Ferry Line, the PAVTB serves as a reservations agency and tourist bureau for British Columbia. Services include:

• Special hotel rates for Victoria and Vancouver Island
• Package vacations, weddings and group meetings
• Sightseeing, whale watching tours and fishing charters, expeditions
• Tickets for BC Ferries' Inside Passage

The bureau is located at 121 E. Railroad Avenue. It's open seven days a week; hours vary depending on the season.  Call 360.452.7084 or 866.457.5432.

The book and movie Twilight have increased tourism dollars on the Olympic Peninsula.

Photos by Sue Frause