Discovery Coast Questions

[fargowolf]

While at work today, one of the patch crew was discussing a trip he wants to do next year. Part of the trip he would like to do, is to go from Bella Coola to Ocean Falls on the ferry. I can't remember if the ferry makes stops along the way all time, or just certain runs. From there, I'm not sure which way he's headed.

Any suggestions I can relay to him?

[Low Light Mike]

Assuming that the 2010 Discovery Coast summer schedule is the same as 2008 & 2009, there are 2 options for reaching Ocean Falls:

1) Friday's.
- Leave Bella Coola in the am, arrive at Ocean Falls around noon. Ferry then continues on to Shearwater & Bella Bella, and ends at Port Hardy on Saturday morning. This trip has the stop at Ocean Falls for approx 4 hours.

2) Early Monday morning:
- leave Port Hardy on Saturday night. Stops at Bella Bella, Shearwater & Klemtu on Sunday, and stops briefly at Ocean Falls at 2:00am on Monday morning. Trip then continues to Bella Coola where it ends at 7:00am Monday morning.


There may also be mid-coast off season service with Nimpkish. Check the schedule.

I think that the Discovery Coast Friday trip is the best choice.

[fargowolf]

Thanks. I'll pass the info on to him.

[Koastal Karl]

I would like to do that Friday trip from Bella Coola to Ocean Falls and spend a few hours in Ocean Falls as I have never been there during daylight so that would be a cool trip to take!

[Low Light Mike]

Aug 29, 2009 9:26:32 GMT -8 Koastal Karl said:

I would like to do that Friday trip from Bella Coola to Ocean Falls and spend a few hours in Ocean Falls as I have never been there during daylight so that would be a cool trip to take!

I agree, that would be a great trip. Easy to combine with a Thursday trip from Port Hardy to Bella Coola, although the old issue of "can I sleep overnight on the ship" might be a problem.

I'm visiting Ocean Falls, one day next month at 2:00am. I'll use my camera-flash to light up the town and take some photos. ha ha.

[WettCoast]

Feb 20, 2010 13:56:23 GMT -8 @paul said:

hello! i am new to this board and trying to find out if there is a ferry that runs from prince ruppert to bella coola. any help appreciated.

This question was asked on the thread re 'Dream Ferry Routes'.

It is possible to travel by ferry from Rupert (PR) to Bella Coola (B-C), but it involves a transfer at Bella Bella (BB). This can be done once every two weeks through most of the year. It is apparently not possible right now as the Nimpkish is out of service & is being replaced with a passenger only charter that is not serving B-C.

It is also possible to do this trip in the opposite direction, again once every two weeks.

During the off-season the Inside Passage vessel will connect with the Nimpkish at BB. The lay-over time between ships is fairly short - 75 minutes according to what I read on the BCFS website schedule page. The total time required to get from PR to B-C is 23 hours. The Nimpkish is not a speedy boat and it makes two additional stops en route to B-C.

In the summer (June 14 to Sept 6) the lay-over takes more than 24 hours. For example, on Monday, June 14th you would leave PR at 7:30 am southbound on the Northern Expedition. You will disembark at BB at 5:30 PM (later that same day). You would then have to wait until the next day (Tues., the 15th) at 9:45 PM when you would board the Queen of Chilliwack. The Wack will in turn take you over night to B-C, arriving at 6:30 AM Wed., not quite 24 hours after leaving Rupert. This pattern repeats every two weeks.

The connection is a little tighter if you travel in the opposite direction, and the B-C to BB trip will be in daylight. I would recommend this option due to both routes being in daylight, and the somewhat shorter lay-over. I expect the cost of the summer trip will be quite high, particularly if you are taking a vehicle.

Note to moderators: I have decided this thread is the most logical place to answer Paul's question. I think it might be appropriate to rename the thread something like Discovery Coast Questions. Moderator Edit: That's a good idea. It is done.

[hullnumbers]

Don't forget to get photos of the ships layout map I want to add it to the ferry layout thread.