Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 4, 2017 23:24:04 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? As in... has anyone else on this ferries site successfully proposed on Bowen? I can think of some Bowen locations that I love, but I wouldn't presume to know their romantic impact. Inspiration is key... and if it's meant to be, it'll happen. But I would suggest avoiding the Bowen Marina spot where the Coastal Runner used to dock. Bad karma, there.  |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jul 10, 2017 17:54:59 GMT -8
I have a friend whose mobility isn't the best, and I was wondering about that viewpoint on Galiano- Mt Galiano, I think? Is it a long walk or hike from where you park?
I also don't recall how long a walk it is from parking at Bellhouse Park to the rocks at the shore.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Jul 10, 2017 18:21:32 GMT -8
I have a friend whose mobility isn't the best, and I was wondering about that viewpoint on Galiano- Mt Galiano, I think? Is it a long walk or hike from where you park? I also don't recall how long a walk it is from parking at Bellhouse Park to the rocks at the shore. Mt Galiano is pretty good for a viewpoint right from the parking lot. You can get a better view down the trail a bit but you can see pretty well just from the parking lot. Not sure about Bellhouse as it's been several years since I've been there, but from what I recall it was a not-insignificant walk to the rocks from the parking lot. I don't think the trail was particularly difficult as far as hazards or grade are concerned, but you don't park "right there". |
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 10, 2017 20:08:41 GMT -8
I have a friend whose mobility isn't the best, and I was wondering about that viewpoint on Galiano- Mt Galiano, I think? Is it a long walk or hike from where you park? I also don't recall how long a walk it is from parking at Bellhouse Park to the rocks at the shore. Mt Galiano is pretty good for a viewpoint right from the parking lot. You can get a better view down the trail a bit but you can see pretty well just from the parking lot. Not sure about Bellhouse as it's been several years since I've been there, but from what I recall it was a not-insignificant walk to the rocks from the parking lot. I don't think the trail was particularly difficult as far as hazards or grade are concerned, but you don't park "right there". I think Nick is confused between Mt Galiano & the Galiano 'Bluffs' Park. Mt Galiano is a long hike (several hours). There are two (maybe more) trails up there. The view is superb. The Bluff Park, on the other hand is accessible & looks right down on the central part of Active Pass. I will take Nick's advice that you get an okay view right from the parking lot, but a short relatively easy walk will improve the view greatly. Bluffs Park is accessed off Bluffs Road. Bellhouse Park is also very worthwhile giving a good view of the north (east) end of the Pass, as is the Galiano Cemetery at the other end of the Pass. Both of these locations require only short relatively easy walks. They are probably wheelchair accessible with assistance. |
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 23, 2017 12:40:12 GMT -8
I have a question about fare collection for walk-on passengers heading to the Southern Gulf Islands from Tsawwassen; specifically, how it works when you do a round-trip. Here is the context:
I plan on doing a round-trip on Salish Raven this Saturday as a footie, catching the 10:50am out of Tsawwassen to Galiano, Mayne, and Pender, and returning on the non-stop sailing back to Tsawwassen at 1:05pm. Ideally, I would like to stay on the vessel at the Pender stop, but I don't know how fare collection works for a trip such as this. Can I pay for the whole round trip in Tsawwassen before I get on in the morning? Or, can I buy the return ticket on board the Raven? Or, do I have to get off the vessel at Pender, purchase my return ticket, then re-board?
I have done Route 9-5-1 combo trips before, and the last time I did that, I got a thru-fare voucher from one of the island terminals to present at Swartz Bay when paying for the Route 1 journey back to Tsawwassen, but this situation is different. I'm not doing a route combo trip this time. I'm staying on the vessel, or hoping to stay on the vessel, for the entire trip. Has anyone done it this summer, with the new schedule? If so, I would love to get feedback on how the fare collection works. Thanks.
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Post by Mike on Aug 23, 2017 17:52:46 GMT -8
I have a question about fare collection for walk-on passengers heading to the Southern Gulf Islands from Tsawwassen; specifically, how it works when you do a round-trip. Here is the context: I plan on doing a round-trip on Salish Raven this Saturday as a footie, catching the 10:50am out of Tsawwassen to Galiano, Mayne, and Pender, and returning on the non-stop sailing back to Tsawwassen at 1:05pm. Ideally, I would like to stay on the vessel at the Pender stop, but I don't know how fare collection works for a trip such as this. Can I pay for the whole round trip in Tsawwassen before I get on in the morning? Or, can I buy the return ticket on board the Raven? Or, do I have to get off the vessel at Pender, purchase my return ticket, then re-board? I have done Route 9-5-1 combo trips before, and the last time I did that, I got a thru-fare voucher from one of the island terminals to present at Swartz Bay when paying for the Route 1 journey back to Tsawwassen, but this situation is different. I'm not doing a route combo trip this time. I'm staying on the vessel, or hoping to stay on the vessel, for the entire trip. Has anyone done it this summer, with the new schedule? If so, I would love to get feedback on how the fare collection works. Thanks. You should be able to purchase a return ticket from the cashier in the cafeteria. |
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Post by Kahloke on Aug 23, 2017 18:31:31 GMT -8
You should be able to purchase a return ticket from the cashier in the cafeteria Good to know. Thank you for the information |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 23, 2017 22:40:06 GMT -8
I have a question about fare collection for walk-on passengers heading to the Southern Gulf Islands from Tsawwassen; specifically, how it works when you do a round-trip. Here is the context: I plan on doing a round-trip on Salish Raven this Saturday as a footie, catching the 10:50am out of Tsawwassen to Galiano, Mayne, and Pender, and returning on the non-stop sailing back to Tsawwassen at 1:05pm. Ideally, I would like to stay on the vessel at the Pender stop, but I don't know how fare collection works for a trip such as this. Can I pay for the whole round trip in Tsawwassen before I get on in the morning? Or, can I buy the return ticket on board the Raven? Or, do I have to get off the vessel at Pender, purchase my return ticket, then re-board? I have done Route 9-5-1 combo trips before, and the last time I did that, I got a thru-fare voucher from one of the island terminals to present at Swartz Bay when paying for the Route 1 journey back to Tsawwassen, but this situation is different. I'm not doing a route combo trip this time. I'm staying on the vessel, or hoping to stay on the vessel, for the entire trip. Has anyone done it this summer, with the new schedule? If so, I would love to get feedback on how the fare collection works. Thanks. You should be able to purchase a return ticket from the cashier in the cafeteria. Done it many times, and it surprises me a bit that when I'm standing at the terminal end of the vessel watching unloading and loading, no one ever asks to see the return fare that I've purchased onboard. All I ever get asked is, "are you staying on?" |
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Post by paulvanb on Jun 30, 2019 9:42:01 GMT -8
Looking for some travel suggestions for a day trip to the Gulf Islands next Saturday. A possibility of spending some time on Galiano to do some photography of Active Pass from a suggested photo area. I know we have some "specialists" in photographing there. Also want to get some travel time on board. When I did this two years ago we left Tssawwassen at noon on the New Westminster,transferred to the Cumberland at Swartz Bay, transferring at Mayne Island for my last ever ride on the Nanaimo. Thank you in advance!
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 30, 2019 10:48:56 GMT -8
Looking for some travel suggestions for a day trip to the Gulf Islands next Saturday. A possibility of spending some time on Galiano to do some photography of Active Pass from a suggested photo area. I know we have some "specialists" in photographing there. Also want to get some travel time on board. When I did this two years ago we left Tssawwassen at noon on the New Westminster,transferred to the Cumberland at Swartz Bay, transferring at Mayne Island for my last ever ride on the Nanaimo. Thank you in advance! I like the cemetery and bluffs park, on Galiano Island. The cemetery is just a bit above ocean level at the west entrance to the pass. The bluffs are of course above the middle of the pass. Both are drive-to locations, with a short 5 minute walk from car to photo-location. The cemetery is at the very end of Active Pass drive. The road forks at the end, and you keep going straight (left side of the fork). There is a small dirt parking area at the cemetery. - you walk through the cemetery to a nice view by the reef where the Queen of Alberni was stuck in 1979.  . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Bluffs Park is at the end of Bluff Road, up a narrow, windy dirt road that is a quick drive. |
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Post by paulvanb on Jun 30, 2019 11:04:12 GMT -8
Looking for some travel suggestions for a day trip to the Gulf Islands next Saturday. A possibility of spending some time on Galiano to do some photography of Active Pass from a suggested photo area. I know we have some "specialists" in photographing there. Also want to get some travel time on board. When I did this two years ago we left Tssawwassen at noon on the New Westminster,transferred to the Cumberland at Swartz Bay, transferring at Mayne Island for my last ever ride on the Nanaimo. Thank you in advance! I like the cemetery and bluffs park, on Galiano Island. The cemetery is just a bit above ocean level at the west entrance to the pass. The bluffs are of course above the middle of the pass. Both are drive-to locations, with a short 5 minute walk from car to photo-location. The cemetery is at the very end of Active Pass drive. The road forks at the end, and you keep going straight (left side of the fork). There is a small dirt parking area at the cemetery. - you walk through the cemetery to a nice view by the reef where the Queen of Alberni was stuck in 1979. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Bluffs Park is at the end of Bluff Road, up a narrow, windy dirt road that is a quick drive. Thank you for this. However, we are going on as foot passengers, and am trying to maximize our day. |
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 1, 2019 4:30:12 GMT -8
I like the cemetery and bluffs park, on Galiano Island. The cemetery is just a bit above ocean level at the west entrance to the pass. The bluffs are of course above the middle of the pass. Both are drive-to locations, with a short 5 minute walk from car to photo-location. The cemetery is at the very end of Active Pass drive. The road forks at the end, and you keep going straight (left side of the fork). There is a small dirt parking area at the cemetery. - you walk through the cemetery to a nice view by the reef where the Queen of Alberni was stuck in 1979. . by Mike Bonkowski, on Flickr Bluffs Park is at the end of Bluff Road, up a narrow, windy dirt road that is a quick drive. Thank you for this. However, we are going on as foot passengers, and am trying to maximize our day. Bellhouse Park is within walking distance from Sturdies Bay, and is also among the fine ferry-watching locations on Galiano. I am thinking a ten minute walk from the terminal to the park? |
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Post by paulvanb on Jul 2, 2019 13:23:08 GMT -8
Thank you for this. However, we are going on as foot passengers, and am trying to maximize our day. Bellhouse Park is within walking distance from Sturdies Bay, and is also among the fine ferry-watching locations on Galiano. I am thinking a ten minute walk from the terminal to the park? Thank you for the viewing tips. Now, I need to figure out a travel plan to maximize my day out on the boat(s) from Tsawwassen. |
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Post by paulvanb on Jul 2, 2019 20:48:24 GMT -8
Hopefully, I have worked out an itinerary. 10:35 to Galiano, where we transfer to go to Saturna, staying on to Swartz Bay. From Swartz to Galiano, and with a break of an hour or so, a visit to Bellhouse Park until our ride back shsows up. Just need weather to cooperate.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jul 9, 2019 21:51:44 GMT -8
Hopefully, I have worked out an itinerary. 10:35 to Galiano, where we transfer to go to Saturna, staying on to Swartz Bay. From Swartz to Galiano, and with a break of an hour or so, a visit to Bellhouse Park until our ride back shsows up. Just need weather to cooperate. I think I did my due diligence, and haven't found anything on this forum about what to look for on an outing to Saturna. Hasn't anyone been there? I would be staying two nights, to allow for at least a full day of exploring. |
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Post by Mike C on Jul 9, 2019 22:24:58 GMT -8
Hopefully, I have worked out an itinerary. 10:35 to Galiano, where we transfer to go to Saturna, staying on to Swartz Bay. From Swartz to Galiano, and with a break of an hour or so, a visit to Bellhouse Park until our ride back shsows up. Just need weather to cooperate. I think I did my due diligence, and haven't found anything on this forum about what to look for on an outing to Saturna. Hasn't anyone been there? I would be staying two nights, to allow for at least a full day of exploring. I’ve done cycling day-trips around Saturna and found it to be certainly the nicest of the ferry-served islands. No particular activity stands out as a “must-do” per-se, but every beach is top-notch and every corner of the island is another spectacular viewpoint. The fact that it is the least populated with the fewest sailings means that you won’t be competing for space on trails and beaches. If I had to choose one spot, East Point Lighthouse and surrounding area is a must visit. |
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 10, 2019 18:21:32 GMT -8
Hopefully, I have worked out an itinerary. 10:35 to Galiano, where we transfer to go to Saturna, staying on to Swartz Bay. From Swartz to Galiano, and with a break of an hour or so, a visit to Bellhouse Park until our ride back shsows up. Just need weather to cooperate. I think I did my due diligence, and haven't found anything on this forum about what to look for on an outing to Saturna. Hasn't anyone been there? I would be staying two nights, to allow for at least a full day of exploring. There is a winery on the west side of Saturna that my wife & I visited in 2010. I am uncertain if the public can visit it at the present time. When we were there you could sample wines & buy some to take home. The access road to it is a bit of an adventure in itself. I believe that that same road also provides access to a high vantage point over looking the SGI & neighbouring islands to the south in the San Juan group.
Lastly, unlike some of the other islands there is not much you can do if you don't have some transportation (car or even a bicycle).
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John H
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Post by John H on Jul 18, 2019 16:30:24 GMT -8
My wife and I spent 3 nights on Saturna in May. It's very quiet... the only restaurant regularly open is the pub by the ferry. The grocery store runs out of some food - depends on the day of week. We stayed near East Point Lighthouse... spent a lot of time there, watching marine traffic and wildlife going by. The walk along the bluffs of Mount Warburton Pike is pretty spectacular - lots of feral goats wandering around. The walk down to the campsite and beaches Narvaez Bay is not too long and the beaches are very nice. Winter Cove has a walk but nothing spectacular. Depends what you're looking for whether you'd like Saturna or not I guess... I just enjoyed being away from the rush and bustle of the big city (I really noticed it when I got back!).
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Post by Kahloke on Jun 21, 2022 14:19:35 GMT -8
I have a question I hope some of you BC Ferries experts here will be able to answer. I have a road trip to Canada planned in late July - finally getting back to Canada after 3 years. This trip starts with a trip on the Coho to Victoria, then an evening ferry to Otter Bay on N. Pender; booked an AirBnb on South Pender for 2 nights. We will be traveling up on a Thursday and I already have the Coho reservation. My question is this: how early should I arrive at Swartz Bay for the 7:00pm sailing to Pender? I looked at the schedule, and on Thursdays there is a 2:35pm, then a 7:00pm. Also, does anyone know which vessel it will be? I'm expecting Queen of Cumberland, but I would love it if Salish Heron was on the route by then. Or will Salish Heron be on Route 9?
We will be leaving Pender on Saturday morning (again, this is late July), and I have a reservation on the 8:30am Salish Raven sailing to Tsawwassen, so no problems leaving, unless, of course, they cancel the sailing (hopefully not).
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 21, 2022 16:22:23 GMT -8
All you have to do is go to the fare calculator and put in the date and it’ll show you the sailings and fares and what ship it will be but yeah it’ll be the Cumberland. Unfortunately the Heron is on route 9 I have no idea why they need two Salish boats out of Tsawwassen. We were suppose to have the Raven on route 5 this summer but that was screwed up.
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Post by Kahloke on Jun 21, 2022 17:31:42 GMT -8
All you have to do is go to the fare calculator and put in the date and it’ll show you the sailings and fares and what ship it will be but yeah it’ll be the Cumberland. Unfortunately the Heron is on route 9 I have no idea why they need two Salish boats out of Tsawwassen. We were suppose to have the Raven on route 5 this summer but that was screwed up. That's a nice little feature. I looked up fare calculator for our Saturday morning departure from Pender, and it lists Salish Raven, Salish Heron, so it's possible that I may get on the Heron, after all. I'm guessing it means the vessel will be one of those 2; as of yet, not known which. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 21, 2022 20:27:01 GMT -8
If it says two different ships it’s probably a transfer most likely at Village Bay. So you’d probably be on both those ships. If it’s a transfer or multiple port sailing it’ll say view itinerary.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jun 21, 2022 21:02:02 GMT -8
All you have to do is go to the fare calculator and put in the date and it’ll show you the sailings and fares and what ship it will be but yeah it’ll be the Cumberland. Unfortunately the Heron is on route 9 I have no idea why they need two Salish boats out of Tsawwassen. We were suppose to have the Raven on route 5 this summer but that was screwed up. Karl, are you saying you don't think there should be two Salish vessels on route nine? What other combination could there be? |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Jun 21, 2022 21:04:44 GMT -8
They’ve had two on route 9 before one out of Long Harbour and one out of Tsawwassen but this summer there are three one at LH then two based out of Tsawwassen. They can crew two out of Tsawwassen but can’t have one out of Swartz Bay. Seems odd they have two based out of Tsawwassen this summer. Unless I’m wrong but check the reservations.
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WettCoast
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 21, 2022 21:44:32 GMT -8
All you have to do is go to the fare calculator and put in the date and it’ll show you the sailings and fares and what ship it will be but yeah it’ll be the Cumberland. Unfortunately the Heron is on route 9 I have no idea why they need two Salish boats out of Tsawwassen. We were suppose to have the Raven on route 5 this summer but that was screwed up. Karl, are you saying you don't think there should be two Salish vessels on route nine? What other combination could there be? I think he means that there would be one out of Long Harbour & two out of Tsawwassen. |
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