Victoria Inner
Habour
ian
A Majestic Backdrop…
Victoria is home to one of the world’s few natural harbours where
recreational vessels and small cruise ships can moor literally in the
centre of this famous heritage city. Although a major tourist attraction,
it remains a working harbour with a rich mixture of activities. The
harbour serves the cruise ship industry, whale watching, ecotourism,
ship repair facilities, a float plane aerodrome, marine industrial uses
and an international ferry terminal.
During the summer months, the waterfront comes alive with festivals,
music and food.
Where to Tie Up:
The Harbour Authority has a “meet and
greet” program for visiting boats. For all
vessels, when you enter the Inner
Harbour, call on VHF 66A and they will
direct you to available guest moorage.
Rafting is mandatory at Harbour
Authority moorages. The Greater
Victoria Harbour Authority now accepts
reservations for any size vessel. Phone
250 383 8326 or 1 877 783 8300.
The Causeway Floats right in front of
the Empress Hotel are likely the most
desirable on the Victoria waterfront.
Causeway Floats host pleasure craft
year-round.
Victoria's
historic
downtown, festivals, artists, buskers
and crafters are only a few steps away.
Showers, washrooms, and laundry
facilities are available.
Ship Point just to the north is the luxury
yacht and large vessel facility. There is
300 feet of float space available at both
Causeway and Ship Point for moorage
of vessels up to 250 feet. Potable water
is available on the dock, as is 30 amp
electricity.
Coming into the Victoria Harbour, all vessels less than 65 feet must
enter and depart between Shoal Point and Laurel Point along the south
shore. The more open water in the middle of the harbor is used by the
float planes. Sailing is not permitted inside the breakwater.
Wharf Street Floats are north of the
seaplane terminal. This marina offers
year-round transient and monthly
moorage and low season rates from
October to May. Vessels from 20 to 375
feet can be accommodated, and both
30 and 50 amp power is available.
As you approach the Inner Harbour, the Empress Hotel is front and
centre and to the right (south) are the B.C. legislative buildings.
Vessels entering Canada from foreign waters must clear Customs. The
Canada Customs float in Victoria is now located at Raymur Point,
between Fisherman's Wharf and the Coast Harbourside Hotel marina.
To arrange Customs clearance, please contact Canada Border Services
Agency at 1-888-226-7277. There is a phone located on the Customs
float that will connect you with CBSA.
Something for Every Interest…
Royal British Columbia Museum is a true classical museum covering
the human and natural history of British Columbia. A giant ice age
mammoth dominates the entry, and the rest of the museum delights
with a recreation of Capt. Vancouver’s ship, a Victorian town, a west
coast seashore and a First Nations' big house. The museum is just
above James Bay.
B.C. Maritime Museum features displays on pirates, heritage vessels,
and shipwrecks. It is also home to three historic sailboats - Dorothy,
Tilikum, and John Guzzwell’s Trekka. This museum is located at 28
Bastion Square.
Pacific Undersea Gardens is a
fantastic way to view some of
the underwater life that BC has
to offer. The view is 5 meters
below ground level and you are
able to view over 5000 plants
and animals. Location: 490
Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C.
Phone: 250 382 5717.
Bike ride to Sidney along Lochside Trail: This picturesque multi–use
trail, formerly a railway line, stretches from Victoria to Swartz Bay, past
beaches, farmland, and wetlands, down country lanes and beside
suburban backyards. While some parts of the Lochside Trail are offroad and others downright pastoral, in some places trail visitors must
share paved or gravel public roads with motor vehicles and farm
vehicles.
For an interesting side trip, take the dinghy through Gorge Waters to
Portage Inlet. You’ll travel first through the industrial part of the city,
then through park and residential areas. It’s about a 3-mile trip.
Currents can be a factor if you intend to row.
Where to Tie Up cont:
The Wharf Street floats cont. The
facility is gated 24/7. Washrooms,
showers and laundry facilities are
located next to the marina, on the
Broughton Street Pier.
Fisherman's Wharf (Erie Street Wharf)
is a unique marine destination with a
distinct flavour. Working fishing vessels,
pleasure boats with live-aboard
residents, float homes and commercial
businesses are all moored at the docks.
The wharf is a great destination for
those seeking fresh fish or seafood. The
Fisherman’s Wharf marina is located
northeast of the Shoal Point
condominiums. Water is available on
each finger pier, as well as 30 and 50
amp electrical connections. There is no
transient
moorage
available
at
Fisherman's Wharf.
Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel and
Marina accepts reservations and offers
the best of both worlds. Moorage
guests enjoy full access to hotel facilities
including
the
fitness
centre,
indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool and
sauna.
The Inner Harbour Causeway
Where to Fuel Up:
Victoria Marine Fuels Ltd. is located at
Erie Street Fishermen’s Wharf. It is open
all year, but with shorter hours in the
winter, and carries gas and diesel as well
as snacks, some grocery items, and
charts. This is the only fuel dock in the
Inner Harbour. Call 250 381 5221.
In the News:
David Foster Harbour Pathway
More than five kilometers in length,
once complete, David Foster Harbour
Pathway will extend from Rock Bay (and
connect to the Trans Canada Trail) to
Ogden Point and will be one of the
longest continuous pedestrian and
cycling harbour pathways in North
America.
And Every Taste…
You can’t go to Victoria’s inner harbor for more than a day and not indulge in
the iconic afternoon tea which has been served at the Fairmont Empress for
almost a century.
Other favorites include:
Barb's Place - perhaps the best fish and chips on The Island
Spinnakers Brew Pub - a very popular pub adjacent to the Victoria
International Marina
Il Terrazzo - our favorite Italian restaurant in Victoria
Victoria Inner Harbour has so much to offer,
you may just want to prolong your stay!
Victoria International Marina
A development of real interest to
Victorians and to boaters is the new
Victoria
International
Marina.
Construction is well underway (the
dredging has been completed) and it is
slated for completion in December,
2015. It will offer 35 slips for boats
between 65 and 150 feet, a world class
restaurant
and
office
facilities.
Reservations can now be made.
Anthony Utley and Jim Connolly would
be pleased to speak with anyone with
further interest.