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Post by Olympic Ferries on Nov 5, 2015 17:57:09 GMT -8
I am planning a trip to the SGI (Southern Gulf Islands) next summer. I live in Friday Harbor would it be better to go to Anacortes and to Tsawwassen or to Sidney and then to Swartz Bay? Any thoughts? (This would be during mid-August) |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 5, 2015 18:02:47 GMT -8
I am planning a trip to the SGI (Southern Gulf Islands) next summer. I live in Friday Harbor would it be better to go to Anacortes and to Tsawwassen or to Sidney and then to Swartz Bay? Any thoughts? (This would be during mid-August) Do a circle trip, so one way going out, and the other way coming back home. That way you see more diversity of routes and ships, and maybe get to ride a Spirit again. |
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Nov 5, 2015 19:14:06 GMT -8
I am planning a trip to the SGI (Southern Gulf Islands) next summer. I live in Friday Harbor would it be better to go to Anacortes and to Tsawwassen or to Sidney and then to Swartz Bay? Any thoughts? (This would be during mid-August) Do a circle trip, so one way going out, and the other way coming back home. That way you see more diversity of routes and ships, and maybe get to ride a Spirit again. Let me know if you think this will work: 9:45am from FH to Sidney on Friday 3:00pm from Swartz Bay to Mayne Island Be on Mayne for Evening 9:05pm from Mayne to Long Harbor Spend Saturday and Sunday on SSI. Monday: 1:50pm from Fulford Harbor to Swartz Bay 4:00pm from Swartz to Tsawwassen Drive to Anacortes and take the 8:30 ferry to FH or spend the night in Anacortes |
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Post by Blisswood on Nov 22, 2015 16:46:08 GMT -8
I'm also trying to do some island-hopping on a Friday or Saturday soon - while the Queen of Burnaby and Bowen Queen are in the Gulf Islands. I live in Victoria and would go as a foot passenger.
What I'd like to do is go to Saltspring via Fulford Harbour and take the little transit bus to Long Harbour, ride the Burnaby for a couple of stops, then get the Bowen back to Swartz Bay.
I've checked out the schedule but can't tell yet whether Bowen, Mayne or Skeena will be on which sailing out of SwB. It would be great to get Mayne on the same day as Bowen and Burnaby but I don't know if it's doable: I can't get to the 5:10AM sailing and prefer to be back home before dark. Burnaby is on the run only until roughly mid-December.
Any suggestions or other information?
Many thanks...MW.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Nov 22, 2015 17:02:48 GMT -8
Once the Bowen is on route 5 which is this week the Burnaby will be gone! The Burnaby is only in the gulf islands till the 24th of November!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2015 17:05:15 GMT -8
I'm also trying to do some island-hopping on a Friday or Saturday soon - while the Queen of Burnaby and Bowen Queen are in the Gulf Islands. I live in Victoria and would go as a foot passenger. What I'd like to do is go to Saltspring via Fulford Harbour and take the little transit bus to Long Harbour, ride the Burnaby for a couple of stops, then get the Bowen back to Swartz Bay. I've checked out the schedule but can't tell yet whether Bowen, Mayne or Skeena will be on which sailing out of SwB. It would be great to get Mayne on the same day as Bowen and Burnaby but I don't know if it's doable: I can't get to the 5:10AM sailing and prefer to be back home before 6 PM. Burnaby is on the run only until roughly mid-December. Any suggestions or other information? Many thanks...MW. Hey Blisswood: The Burnaby and Bowen Queen will not be on the run at the same time. The Burnaby's last day is Tuesday. The Skeena Queen does the following sailings weekdays (ps... there is no 5:20am as she deadheads from Fulford to Sturdies): 06:30 out of Galiano 08:30 roundtrip out of Swartz 16:15 roundtrip out of Swartz 18:30 roundtrip out of Swartz If you want to ride the Bowen Queen, I'd recommend riding the Skeena to Fulford, Nanaimo to Mayne on a Saturday, then Bowen Queen back home. She would arrive in Swartz at 6:20pm. It would be difficult riding both the Bowen and Mayne Queens without being home before 6pm (weekday or weekend). Cheers! |
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Post by Blisswood on Nov 23, 2015 14:52:54 GMT -8
Thanks Koastal Karl and SC Commuter for your feedback.
I was under the impression Burnaby was on route 9 until mid-December. Oh well. I'll keep trying!
MW.
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Feb 24, 2016 21:00:41 GMT -8
I am trying to plan a day trip on either March 6 or March 13 on routes 1, 5, and 9. My main objectives are to ride the Mayne Queen and Coastal Renaissance, as well as any other ferries I could ride. I'm having some trouble coming up with an itinerary, however. Is there any way to tell what route 5 boat makes what route 5 sailings? Any recommendations as to a possible itinerary? Any assistance would be much appreciated.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 24, 2016 21:17:34 GMT -8
I am trying to plan a day trip on either March 6 or March 13 on routes 1, 5, and 9. My main objectives are to ride the Mayne Queen and Coastal Renaissance, as well as any other ferries I could ride. I'm having some trouble coming up with an itinerary, however. Is there any way to tell what route 5 boat makes what route 5 sailings? Any recommendations as to a possible itinerary? Any assistance would be much appreciated. What is your starting point and your ending point ? I'm assuming it's Swartz Bay. |
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Feb 24, 2016 21:22:47 GMT -8
I am trying to plan a day trip on either March 6 or March 13 on routes 1, 5, and 9. My main objectives are to ride the Mayne Queen and Coastal Renaissance, as well as any other ferries I could ride. I'm having some trouble coming up with an itinerary, however. Is there any way to tell what route 5 boat makes what route 5 sailings? Any recommendations as to a possible itinerary? Any assistance would be much appreciated. What is your starting point and your ending point ? I'm assuming it's Swartz Bay. Actually, Tsawwassen is both my start point and end point... |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 24, 2016 21:45:13 GMT -8
What is your starting point and your ending point ? I'm assuming it's Swartz Bay. Actually, Tsawwassen is both my start point and end point... I've tried a few ideas, but Sunday is a tough day to do a 1/5/9 combo. Unless you want a 4 hour layover at Mayne. |
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Feb 24, 2016 22:18:51 GMT -8
Actually, Tsawwassen is both my start point and end point... I've tried a few ideas, but Sunday is a tough day to do a 1/5/9 combo. Unless you want a 4 hour layover at Mayne. What if you eliminate route 9? My main goals are to ride the Mayne and the CRen. Is it possible to do that on a Sunday day trip? What would really help me out I'd if there's a way to tell which Route 5 sailings are made by the Mayne and which ones are made by the Bowen... Is there any way to do that? |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 24, 2016 22:34:00 GMT -8
you could take the 11am from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on the Renaissance then take the 2:15pm Mayne Queen on a round trip to Mayne Island and back arriving back at Swartz Bay at 5:10pm although you would just miss the 5pm Renaissance back to Tsawwassen. I know the Gulf Island schedules pretty well so I could probably tell you which ships are on which sailings!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 22:49:01 GMT -8
Here you guys go... been meaning to upload this for awhile. All info is from processes of elimination on the schedule, and Current Conditions observations. As for trip ideas, you could do what Karl mentioned, but instead transfer to the Nanaimo (route 9) at Mayne. That would get you back to Tsawwassen just after 18:00. It's a foot pax only sailing (for passengers originating at Mayne), but there's rarely space issues, since the ship will be on a B license at least. That would get you a ride on the CR, Mayne Queen, and the venerable Queen of Nanaimo (you won't want to miss the classic cafeteria menu  ). I must reiterate that this info is from observations, and with regard to March 24-25 PM's, deductions only. They are my own guesses, and you are ultimately responsible for getting back home at the end of the day. I accept no responsibility for missed trips you may encounter. Departures from Swartz Bay Coding: P - Pender S/SAT - Saturna M - Mayne G/Gal - Galiano Mayne Queen
Monday-Friday
0510 – S-M-P 0910 – S-M-P 1450 – S-M-G-P (no scheduled Gal traffic until Mayne) 1940 – P-M-S Saturday
0540 – P-M
0815 – P-S-M-P-S 1600 – G-M 1910 – P-S Sunday0600 – Dangerous Cargo, except 0915 – Mayne to SAT-Mayne 1415 – S-M 1725 – P 1910 – M-S Mar 24-25 PM's 1535 – G-M-S 1955 – M-G-M-S
Queen of Cumberland/Bowen Queen/Skeena QueenMonday-Friday
(0520) – G-M Skeena Queen from Islands only
0830 – P Skeena Queen Bowen Queen as of Feb/2016 1025 – G-M 1415 – P 1615 – M (Gal Transfers to MQ) Skeena Queen
1830 – P-G Skeena Queen
Saturday
0550 – G-M-P 0935 – P-M-G-P 1430 – P-S-M-P 1840 – P-M-G Sunday
0625 – G-M-P (Sat transfer to MQ at Mayne)
0935 – P-G-M-P
1440 – P-M-G-P
1825 – P-M-G-P
Mar 24-25 PM's
1420 – P
1610 – M Skeena Queen[/i]1835 – P Skeena Queen
2015 – P Skeena Queen |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 10:14:00 GMT -8
Has anyone noticed that the Skeena Queen no longer does the 08:30 roundtrip out of Swartz? Perhaps there isn't enough demand (which is hard to imagine from Pender), or the AM overloads are getting out of hand in Fulford Harbour.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 25, 2016 13:09:37 GMT -8
The afternoon sailing to Pender usually overloads and that is the Bowen on that sailing while to Fulford the Skenna is half full!
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Feb 25, 2016 18:29:25 GMT -8
Here's the million dollar question; I'm thinking I'm going to take the 2:15 sailing from Swartz Bay to Village Bay. This sailing arrives Village Bay at 4:10. Ideally, I would then transfer to the Queen of Nanaimo for her 4:20 sailing to TSA. This is a ten-minute turn-around at Village Bay. Is there any way to guarantee that I will make it on to the Nanaimo?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 25, 2016 18:43:46 GMT -8
Here's the million dollar question; I'm thinking I'm going to take the 2:15 sailing from Swartz Bay to Village Bay. This sailing arrives Village Bay at 4:10. Ideally, I would then transfer to the Queen of Nanaimo for her 4:20 sailing to TSA. This is a ten-minute turn-around at Village Bay. Is there any way to guarantee that I will make it on to the Nanaimo? No. Besides the tight timing, there's also the issue of needing to get to the toll booth to buy a ticket for the Nanaimo, and then back down to the ship. It might work, but there is no guarantee. You need to be prepared to miss that sailing. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 25, 2016 20:32:43 GMT -8
There is the sailing that arrives at 3:55pm into Village Bay that would better timing but it's not the Mayne Queen!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 23:06:19 GMT -8
Not sure if you're overnighting in Canada or not, but the Mayne Queen is a nice ship - I would get a ride on her if you can. But if you're going back South the same night, that 14:40 direct Bowen Queen/Queen of Cumberland to Mayne is your best bet. Something worth noting is that the Mayne Queen is going to be around a little longer than the Queen of Nanaimo is.
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Post by Balfour on Feb 25, 2016 23:08:43 GMT -8
Here's the million dollar question; I'm thinking I'm going to take the 2:15 sailing from Swartz Bay to Village Bay. This sailing arrives Village Bay at 4:10. Ideally, I would then transfer to the Queen of Nanaimo for her 4:20 sailing to TSA. This is a ten-minute turn-around at Village Bay. Is there any way to guarantee that I will make it on to the Nanaimo? No. Besides the tight timing, there's also the issue of needing to get to the toll booth to buy a ticket for the Nanaimo, and then back down to the ship. It might work, but there is no guarantee. You need to be prepared to miss that sailing. I've done it successfully a couple times but you need to run up a steep hill to get to the toll booth and then run down the hill again. |
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Mayne
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Post by Mayne on Feb 25, 2016 23:41:26 GMT -8
No. Besides the tight timing, there's also the issue of needing to get to the toll booth to buy a ticket for the Nanaimo, and then back down to the ship. It might work, but there is no guarantee. You need to be prepared to miss that sailing. I've done it successfully a couple times but you need to run up a steep hill to get to the toll booth and then run down the hill again. We have also encountered it unsuccessfully, recall MileagePhoto waving to us from the Mayne as we sailed away on the Nanaimo?? LOL |
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Aug 23, 2016 15:21:32 GMT -8
I'm curious:
The 11:50 sailing from Mayne to Swartz Bay on Sundays... Which boat facilitates that particular sailing? I have been cross-checking SCCommuter's chart above, but I can't seem to figure it out...
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 23, 2016 21:46:52 GMT -8
I'm curious: The 11:50 sailing from Mayne to Swartz Bay on Sundays... Which boat facilitates that particular sailing? I have been cross-checking SCCommuter's chart above, but I can't seem to figure it out... Check out the BC Ferries website on Sunday, and you'll have your answer. |
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Post by bigcountry on Mar 4, 2017 20:47:20 GMT -8
Next weekend I'm staying at a B&B on Bowen Island with my girlfriend and am planning on proposing to her while there, anyone know a good place on the island to do this?
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