| Getting to Vancouver Island in the Pacific north-west is | | | | land in the Victoria City harbor. Yes, believe it or not, |
| a major part of the attraction of this fascinating Pacific | | | | every year more than 300 000 passengers to the |
| Island. Extend your vacation by including your method | | | | island, arrive by float-plane, many of them into the |
| of arrival as a major part of your plans. | | | | Victoria Harbor. Well not actually into the harbor but the |
| 'The best part of a vacation is in the planning, but the | | | | landing is on the water in the harbor and the access |
| most exciting is the getting there.' | | | | right to downtown Victoria, in front of the parliament |
| So said my much traveled aunt who was also the one | | | | buildings. You can't do that in many capital cities! |
| to encourage me to explore the Pacific north-west in | | | | Okay, still not convinced, then how about arriving by a |
| the first place, and as far as visiting Vancouver Island | | | | whale watching and Eco-tour speed boat? |
| is concerned, she is quite correct. | | | | You can do that from downtown Vancouver, where it |
| Being a large island, so close to the mainland, the one | | | | leaves at 8 am in the morning and takes you on an |
| hour and forty minute luxury ferry ride is like a mini- | | | | Eco-tour of the gulf islands before arriving in |
| cruise, through the scenic Gulf Islands, at camera length | | | | downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island. You can also |
| from Orca Whales, Dolphins and the occasional eagle | | | | link up with a bus tour from here, and they will take |
| looking for a fish lunch. Not only that but after docking | | | | you back to your hotel in Vancouver in the eveningby |
| at Saanich, on the Island, you are only a thirty minute | | | | speed boat, if you so desire. |
| drive away from downtown Victoria, the British | | | | You see, getting to Vancouver Island is a major part |
| Columbia capital. | | | | of the attraction so make it part of your travel plans. |
| Take a scenic ferry from the British Columbia mainland | | | | Whether you sail in, kayak in, take a bike, car or bus on |
| at two points, or from Seattle in the Pacific north-west | | | | a ferry, use a float plane or speedy whale watching |
| of the U.S., or travel on the Washington ferry service | | | | craft, you get to enjoy the added bonus of exotic |
| to Sidney, any one of which is an adventure, as you | | | | scenery, pristine wilderness, marine life and quality |
| find your way through the San Juan or Gulf islands. If | | | | tourist facilities even before you arrive. Getting there is |
| you want speed, try the Victoria Clipper catamaran | | | | more than half the fun! |
| from Seattle. | | | | Of course you could always fly into Victoria airport, but |
| If that's not adventurous enough for you, why not try | | | | where's the fun in that, as my aunt always used to |
| arriving in Vancouver Island by sea-plane? | | | | say. She actually said a lot of things, but this time she |
| These float-planes have daily schedules from various | | | | was right. |
| locations, including Vancouver and Seattle and most | | | | |
