Cruise Terminal In Victoria Bc
Not far from downtown Victoria, only a short and pleasant walk away, Ogden Point is Victoria’s main Cruise Ship Terminal. Pier is B hosts the majority of Cruise Ship arrivals. Both piers are comfortably outfitted with basic amenities, gifts shops located just outside the customs areas. Transportation available at the Ogden Point Terminal include shuttle buses to downtown, taxi service, limousines and pedi-cabs and Motorcoach Shore Excursions available in the area between the two piers. For those who enjoy a stroll, and are happy to leave the hordes of cruise tourists behind there is a pleasant stroll between the downtown area and the cruise terminals which lasts no more than 35 minutes and proceeds through some interesting residential areas
What To Do In The Cruise Port Of Victoria Bc Canada
What to do in the cruise port of Victoria, BC Canada? There are many things to see and and do in cruise port of Victoria.
This port is a beautiful part of the world in Canada and is usually on an Alaskan cruise itinerary.
Victoria is on Vancouver Island, located on the west coast of Canada.
It has a British influence and reminds me home in the UK a lot. Including the weather!
Victoria is very easy to get around and most places you can walk to from the Empress Hotel.
Here is what to see in the cruise port of Victoria, BC:
The Fairmont Empress Hotel
A stop at the cruise port in Victoria, BC, would not be complete for me without a visit to see the Fairmont Empress Hotel downtown. The iconic hotel known as The Castle on the Coast overlooks the Inner Harbor.
My only regret is not being able to sit for afternoon tea at the Empress. Its a tradition dating back over 100 years.
If you are in Victoria, BC, tea is served Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 am 3:00 pm and Thursday through Sunday until 5:00 pm.
They even serve honey from their onsite bee hives and lavender from their rooftop garden.
Don’t Miss: Where Do Mediterranean Cruises Go
What To Do If You Have A Full Day At The Cruise Port In Victoria Bc
If your cruise allows you more time than our four hours, then you are in luck.
Victoria BC is a food lovers paradise with abundant fresh seafood, nearby farms, and optimal weather for gardening. Consider making reservations at one of the many restaurants near the cruise port or booking this guided food and history tour.
With deep water surrounding its banks, whale watching off the coast of Victoria, BC, is another excellent option for a tour.
Finally, a trip to Butchart Gardens should be on your radar if you have more than a few hours in port. The Butchart Garden Experience picks up from the Fairmont Empress hotel. A 45-minute narrated tour and bus ride will deliver you to the 55-acre gardens.
Family members who were able to make this trip raved that the Butchart Gardens were a must-see for anyone visiting Victoria, BC.
Is Victoria Bc A Walkable City
The short answer is yes!
A marked, painted path guides cruise passengers on a short ten-minute walk from the Breakwater District Ogden Point cruise ship terminal in Victoria, BC, to Fishermans Wharf Park along scenic Dallas Road.
You can walk another fifteen minutes from Fishermans Wharf along the picturesque waters edge to the Inner Harbor and the Downtown areas.
The path is relatively flat and an easy walk during July. There are benches along the way if you need to rest.
Also Check: What Ports Do Alaskan Cruises Leave From
The Victoria Cruise Terminal At The Breakwater District
The Victoria Cruise Terminal at The Breakwater District is currently the busiest cruise ship port-of-call in Canada.
All facilities are modern, with paved parking, passenger transport and cargo storage areas. Vessel services available include line handlers, passenger gangways, fresh water, baggage handling, garbage disposal, telephones and provisioning. Anchorage, tugs and fuel bunkering are all available at the Victoria Cruise Terminal.
Services available for passengers at dockside include gift shops, foreign currency exchange, and pay telephones. Tour and shuttle buses, taxis and other forms of transportation are readily available for passenger excursions to the city centre and major tour attractions. More information on the extensive and varied selection of shore excursions may be found at Destination Greater Victoria.
Under GVHAs stewardship, cruise tourism has grown from 110 ship calls carrying 161,000 passengers in 2002 to a record number of 340 cruise ships and 800,000 passengers welcomed during the 2022 season. This growth in cruise tourism has become an important economic driver for the capital region. Working collaboratively with industry partners, GVHA is encouraging opportunities to introduce cruise visitors to more unique Victoria experiences, thereby expanding the positive economic impact in our region.
Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
Swartz Bay is a terminal in North Saanich BC, serving BC FERRIES . The terminal facility covers an area of 12 hectares and is located approx 32 km north of Victoria Harbour. The terminal is also part of British Columbia Highway 17. This is a 2-highway system – one on Vancouver Island, and one on mainland Canada. Both are connected by daily-scheduled ferry links.
Currently, the ferry terminal has 5 berths. In 2006 was inaugurated “Berth 2” . The terminal facility consists of administration building, main building , several kiosks , pay parking.
Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal provides daily service to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal , and also connects Vancouver Island to all major Southern Gulf Islands .
The ferry terminal is connected to several public transit routes. Route 70 is an express bus service linking with downtown Victoria BC. Swartz Bay and Victoria BC are also connected via Lochside Regional Trail . The terminal is approx 10 min drive from Victoria International Airport.
Recommended Reading: Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock In Amsterdam
The Best Part Of The Visit To The Cruise Port In Victoria Bc
For me, the best part of a visit to Victoria, BC, is the unforgettable scenery.
As we headed back to our cruise ship, it was late, and the sun had set. The city lights began to glow and reflected off the water.
Crowds were still lingering along the paths, and a full moon was shining.
The reality of being in Canada and ending our seven-night cruise was setting in. I took in every moment of the Victoria cruise port at night as we chatted with other passengers returning to the ship.
Even though it was almost midnight, and I was exhausted, I was super happy that we made an effort to leave the ship at our last cruise port in Victoria, BC.
I only hope that one day you will get to experience this beautiful city for yourself.
So Much More To See And Do
There are in fact so many more activities to choose from in Victoria, however we know how limited your time is when youre in port for only a few hours.
Whatever you choose to do, slow your pace and you will enjoy your time in Victoria. We are sure you will want to return to spend more time in this beautiful city someday!
Also Check: What Cruises Leave From Boston
Doing Business At The Victoria Cruise Terminal
We are currently not accepting new operators for the 2022 cruise season. At the end of the 2022 cruise season, a Request for Proposal will be posted welcoming new businesses to propose their operations at the Victoria Cruise Terminal starting as soon as the 2023 cruise season. Should you have any questions, please contact .
If you are a pre-arranged independent tour operator and passengers have contacted you directly to book a tour through your company, you are welcome to follow the procedures set in the Cruise Operations User Guide .
Seeking development or advertising opportunities? Click here.
Getting Around Victoria British Columbia
Shuttle Bus there is a shuttle bus that will take cruise ship passengers from Odgen Point to downtown Victoria.
Alternatively, passengers may utilise taxis, which are readily available where you dock, or a public bus system. Walking is an option, though it is around three kilometres to the centre of downtown, from the docks.
You May Like: Viking River Cruise Standard Room
Entertainment At The Inner Harbour
We only had four hours in the cruise port in Victoria, BC, so after visiting the Fairmont Empress, we did some souvenir shopping nearby and headed back to the ship.
Walking around the town as the sun was setting was such a lovely way to spend the evening. The city is beautiful, with flowers and greenery adorning every twist and turn.
As you head back to the cruise port in Victoria, BC, be on the lookout for street performers and entertainers. You cant miss them. Crowds of people line the bridges and streets as they enjoy their free performances.
Give The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Instagram page a follow for highlights on more to see and do in this area.
Rent A Bike And Cycle Around Town Or Farther
Theres something to be said for getting off a cruise ship and getting a bit more exercise than youve had while on your cruise. Cycling may be just what your body is craving at this point in your cruise.
Your distance and where to cycle will depend on how much time you have before you have to get back on board your cruise ship. Heres a bike map from the Capital Regional District to help you plan a route. Be sure to review the legend and understand where the bike lanes are, compared to the shared roadways.
There are many options for renting bikes in Victoria. Its quite a bike friendly city with more bike lanes being added as time goes by.
We like getting away from Victoria and getting on a trail, either the E& N Rail trail or the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Once again, these have incredible distance potential, and you dont want to miss getting back on the ship, so plan your time and distance wisely!
Also Check: Pearl Seas Cruises The Great Lakes
How To Spend The Perfect Evening Near The Cruise Port In Victoria Bc
When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, the cruise port in Victoria, BC, will most likely be included in your itinerary. Check out these spots when you spend an evening in this beautiful Instagram-worthy Canadian city.
After seeing that our stop at the cruise port in Victoria, BC was only four hours, I questioned why we even stopped.
A short internet search led me to the Passenger Vessel Services Act. The 1886 Act dictates all ships leaving from the U.S. must make a foreign stop.
Regardless of what led us to Victoria, BC, I was determined to make the most of our short evening visit to this picturesque city.
Jump Ahead to
Top Food And Drink Spots Near The Victoria Bc Cruise Port
Il Terrazzo
Address: 555 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 1M2
For a romantic Italian experience, sit on the patio at Il Terrazzo to enjoy the sea breeze and a full-bodied glass of red wine. Pasta, fish, and wood-fired pizzas are the classic fare here. The ambiance of Il Terrazzo, its deep-red brick walls, and upscale feel make for a good date night.
Read Also: Carnival Cruise Lines Mardi Gras
Must See Attractions In Victoria Bc
Butchart Gardens If time is not a problem. one of the most amazing attractions on Vancouver island is The Butchart Gardens which is now a National Historic Site of Canada, and still owned by family descendants. Featuring 55 acres of amazing gardens and wonderful floral displays, the Butchart Gardens are located in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island not far from the main city centre itself. There are many different bus options to take you to the gardens, most of which depart from the Greyhound bus station in the Inner Harbour area. Most cruise lines offer special tours to the gardens from the cruise ships.
Where Is Victoria Bc
Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. It is the capital city of British Columbia and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Canada.
Many cruise lines sailing out of Seattle make the Victoria cruise port a part of their cruise schedule.
The lovely city is a popular weekend getaway for Vancouver and Washington residents as well, and its easy to see why.
Restaurants, activities, and shopping are all easily accessible without a car. The waterfront is gorgeous, and the summer weather is moderate.
English is the primary spoken language, and the currency is the Canadian dollar.
Read Also: What To Do On An Alaskan Cruise
Cruise Lines Visiting Victoria Bc
No cruise line uses the Port of Vancouver to start and end their cruises, but those cruise lines visiting Victoria, usually on the wayto Alaska include Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, P& O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Regent Seven Seas.
Harbour Tour From Downtown Victoria
If you want to see the city from the water, there are water taxis that will take you on various tours for a price.
We personally like the Gorge Tour, and if you can plan to do the tour at a max ebb point, you may see the reversing falls at Tillicum Narrows. Check a tide chart for details. You can visit our Esquimalt Parks Post for further details.
Go to the Victoria Harbour Ferry website for more details on this and other tours.
You can take one of the water taxis to several stops along both sides of the harbour and up the Gorge waterway. Handy when you want a scenic way to shorten your time to get somewhere. The ferry boat captains are knowledgeable and often provide information about the local area.
If you happen to be in Victoria from April October, on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. you can watch the water ballet from many viewpoints within the harbour. Its a fun and memorable experience.
Read Also: Best Time To Cruise In Alaska
Victoria Bc Cruise Port: Tips Attractions And Weather
| Victoria Harbour. Credit: Pixabay Creative Commons license |
The Victoria cruise port is both a port of call for Alaska cruises and an embarkation port for cruises elsewhere, such as Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera.
Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, sits on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.
Up to four ships at a time berth at the Ogden Point cruise terminal, which is close to downtown and Inner Harbour attractions. Passenger services at the docks include gift shops, foreign currency exchange and pay phones. Tour and shuttle buses, taxis and other forms of transportation also are available.
Four attractions dominate the cruise port area: Inner Harbour, Bastion Square, Chinatown and Butchart Gardens.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Downtown Victoria
In quite a few cities weve visited while on cruises, due to the limitations on time, weve opted for the Hop on Hop Off Buses.
This will allow you some flexibility to see some of the top tourist attractions in Victoria, and spend time where you choose.
You can also get a full day bus pass through BC Transit for $5.00. Children under 12 ride for free. It wont be as direct to the main attractions as a hop on hop off bus would be, and youll have to plan your trips and schedules but its do-able with a little planning.
Visit the BC transit Victoria Regional Transit System website to learn more. The Moovit app works well in Victoria and surrounding area for getting around by transit.
The driver doesnt carry change, so the exact dollar amount is required. Ask for a day pass when you provide the $5.00. The drivers are very helpful, and are used to tourists riding the bus, so when boarding, ask the driver any questions you have about the route. He or she does have a schedule to keep, but theyre happy to help when possible.
You may see double decker buses on some of the busier routes at busier times. If you find youre going to be on the bus awhile, go upstairs and enjoy the view from higher up. On the top level of the double decker is our grand-daughters favorite way to ride the bus in Victoria.
Recommended Reading: Toyota Land Cruiser Vs Sequoia
Raise A Cuppa To Tradition
Indulge in the citys time-honored British heritage with classic Victorian afternoon tea at the world-renowned Empress hotel. A beloved tradition for over a century, this quintessential Victoria experience includes a fabulous menu of fine loose-leaf teas served with house-made finger sandwiches, scones and clotted Empress cream.
Victoria Bc Cruise Terminal
Victoria BC cruise port terminal is located at Ogden Point . Victoria International Airport is approx 18 mi from the passenger terminal. The address is “202468 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1W9, Canada”.
Port Ogden Point has 2 cruise ship docks – “Pier A” and “Pier B”. Each dock has two deepwater berths and its own Customs and Immigration. Currently, Ogden Point has capacity to accommodate three vessels simultaneously. However, each year there are several 4-ship and even 5-ship days, usually arriving within 1 hour of each other.
Since 2020, at Pier B can dock world’s largest passenger ships . The expanded facility allows berthing for vessels with max LOA length 350 m and volume 225,000 GT-tons.
The passenger terminal’s facilities include paved car parking, cargo storage areas, passenger gangways , garbage disposal, baggage handling facility, freshwater, phones. At the cruise terminal’s dockside, there are exchange bureaus and gift shops. Available are taxis and shuttle bus services to downtown. The distance is very walkable. Available for rent are bicycles. passengers can also use pedicabs and rickshaws, and even horse-drawn carriages.
In 2017, GVHA started planning minor cruise port upgrades to make Victoria BC a turnaround destination for smaller-sized Alaskan ships departing on roundtrip itineraries.
You May Like: What Time Is Main Dining On Disney Cruise