Best Ferry to Victoria (Seattle, Tacoma: tax, live, drivers license)

[Snort]

Any opinions on what the best ferry would be for a car and passengers to Victoria in December?
How rough can the passage be from Port Angeles? Would BC Ferries or Washington Ferries via Anacortes be better options?

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Snort

Any opinions on what the best ferry would be for a car and passengers to Victoria in December?
How rough can the passage be from Port Angeles? Would BC Ferries or Washington Ferries via Anacortes be better options?

With a car from PA to Victoria, you only have one option- the Black Ball ferry line ( Black Ball Ferry Line - Welcome Aboard! ). There is an express ferry than runs in the summer months but its passenger only.

The Coho is a fairly good sized ferry so generally speaking weather is not much of an issue for her. I can't recall the Coho ever canceling a sailing that we wanted to do because of weather (not like the Port Townsend ferry) but I'm sure it's happened from time to time. I've been onboard the Coho on a few crossings when we had pretty rough winter weather. The captain slowed the ferry down to minimize roll but that was about it.

The worst part about the trip is going through US Customs when returning to PA. It seems to take longer and longer every year. I don't know if it's due to the Homeland Security regs or what but anymore we tend to ask ourselves if the trip to Victoria is worth the wait in the US Customs line when coming back. If you've never been to Victoria or if you've only been a few times, then it will likely be worth the hassle for you. We've been dozens of times and some of the magic of this loop has worn off for us.

We've only taken the Anacortes ferry to the San Juans so I can't speak of the Victoria crossing from there. The WSF ferries strike me as somewhat larger than the Coho, so they may be smoother in inclement weather.

Don't forget to bring your passports or your WA enhanced drivers license!

[Snort]

Thanks for your reply, Dendrite! I'm hoping the customs reentry process goes smoother for us than it was for you. I figured the WSF might be a smoother trip if the weather is rough since the San Juans might break up the waves in the channels the ferries thread through here on their way to Sidney, BC.
I'll check on border wait times by car to see if driving to Canada and then taking BC Ferries might be a better option.

[Ira500]

BC Ferries is pleasant. Sometimes the truck crossing is lots quicker than the main border crossing ( they allow cars), and driving a few extra miles to the Sumas crossing is also an option, but if you go using the main border crossing, find a time where there is no long line, since the Tsawassen Ferry dock is not all that far from the border.

[sean98125]

I'd go with the drive to Tsawassen, personally, and the customs crossing at Blaine or Sumas would be easier than the terminal at Port Angeles - and then you still have another ferry ride after that to get back to Seattle unless you come around through Tacoma.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by sean98125

I'd go with the drive to Tsawassen, personally, ...

3rd vote for this option (having lived on Thetis Island for a spell) BC Ferries are nice and smooth AND HUGE.

Black Ball can really get to rolling (Sharp keel) and I've seen waves breaking over bow, would not be much fun if you are 'sea-challenged'.

Dec 09 is NOT the time to die. Wait till 2010 to get a tax break for your heirs.