Port Angeles to Vancouver Island Ferry

[bweybright]

Has anyone had experience taking their trailer on the Ferry between Port Angeles and Vancouver Island? I am wondering if the approach and departure angle will be a problem with the low stance of the trailer?

[wkerfoot]

Bweybright, I don't know anything about clearance, but that can be a rough ride on a flat bottom ferry across the strait.


Bill

Originally Posted by bweybright

Has anyone had experience taking their trailer on the Ferry between Port Angeles and Vancouver Island? I am wondering if the approach and departure angle will be a problem with the low stance of the trailer?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Low tide is a good thing to avoid with any ferry ramp wise.

Bob

[kootenayken]

Hi we make that crossing every year with our 22', plus we see lots of 5th wheels. No problems for anyone, hi tide or low tide. Plus you get to see beautiful Victoria harbour.

[Smartstream]

I have traveled on the MV Coho many times and have never seen anybody have a problem. I have also been on rough trips and they alter course to take the waves at a better angle to smooth out the ride a bit. They also stop for whales and other interesting things.

[SilverWind]

Do they allow dogs on the ferry?

[kootenayken]

Yes they do.

[Smartstream]

Dogs are allowed on the outside deck areas but not inside the cabin. You can also leave you pets inside your vehicle but you cannot visit the car deck during the voyage.

[Bill M.]

They have a guy watching for clearance when you go on and off the ferry. Not to say I fully trust them but they are there. They ran out and dropped a board in the dip between the ferry and the land once when I got off. Have managed a half dozen or so ferrys with the Airstream with no damage so far. But I was on a bus tour the time I did the ferry you are asking about so I do not know it specifically. Every day is going to be a little different with the wind and the tides.

[bweybright]

Thank you all for the quick replies. We are looking at making the trip next July. Any suggestions for campgrounds in Port Angeles and on the island are welcome as well.

[HappyHapgood]

The wife and I did that ferry ride in August with our SUV and 28' Airstream. No issues at all. A wonderful ride.

[bweybright]

Originally Posted by HappyHapgood

The wife and I did that ferry ride in August with our SUV and 28' Airstream. No issues at all. A wonderful ride.

Excellent to hear. Ours is 28' long as well. Looks vacation planning is in move ahead mode.

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by bweybright

Thank you all for the quick replies. We are looking at making the trip next July. Any suggestions for campgrounds in Port Angeles and on the island are welcome as well.

We were there last year at that time and had a hard time finding a nice place on the spur of the moment. I’d recommend reserving well in advance.

[NWRVR]

We took our 30' Classic on the Coho mid September and there is no problem with angle of approach on or off. You get on through the stern doors in Port Angeles and off through the side doors in Victoria. They are very organized and know where you need to park to be able to clear any structures when exiting and guide you to where you need to stop and how far you need to be from the bulkhead. We measured 53' so round trip was $538.50. Great ride, a bit of a slow roll when the ferry gets in the trough but not extreme. Dogs are allowed in one section of the passenger lounge, as I recall it is the mid section, quite a large area. We stayed at the Salish RV Resort on Victoria Bay for a week, a bit spendy but a beautiful spot with lots of walking paths around the bay and nearby off leash dog parks. Enjoy and safe travels!

[Aircanuck]

Thank you all for the quick replies. We are looking at making the trip next July. Any suggestions for campgrounds in Port Angeles and on the island are welcome as well.[/QUOTE]

Stayed at Elwha Dam RV Park. Nice folks. We also recommend Salish RV in Victoria.

[drbrick]

Vancouver Island is a wonderful place to visit - very safe camping and boondocking (do not bring a gun - this is Canada) While there are lots and lots of private camp ground you really need to consider reserving as by April it begins to get challenging.

I have included a link to the PROVINCIAL Run Camping website. While there are "first come first served sites" at a lot of the campsites it is mostly revervation only and bookings start 4 months in advance starting March. They fill fast. Also the Island Provincial camp ground are "no services" It's like boondocking If you want hook-ups then stay at private operated.

https://discovercamping.ca/BrowseMaps

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by drbrick

Vancouver Island is a wonderful place to visit - very safe camping and boondocking .....

Hi

First off let me say that I 100% agree with the "very safe" statement. This is more a note about what *not* to do even in a very safe area:

As you leave the rental car in the parking garage for a quick shopping stop and your wife yells out "are the cameras in the car?", go back and get the cameras out of the car. Do as I say and not as I did ....

Downtown Victoria is the only place we ever have been robbed while traveling

Bob

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Bweybright, I don't know anything about clearance, but that can be a rough ride on a flat bottom ferry across the strait.


Bill

OMG!

Really?
Attachment 1Attachment 1Attachment 1Attachment 1
Our experience->

We travel the ferry 5-7 times per year.
Attachment 1
With an Interstate Plus 6x12 motorcycle trailer, and w/a Globetrotter and (mostly) by motorcycle. Never ever an issue with clearance or unsafe travel conditions.

I’ll send a PM with feedback and advice on possible destinations when looping the island. We hang at a lovely pasture on a farm and enjoy everything the farm has to offer - including the Scottish Highlanders.


Be adventurous and plan ahead, as others have advised. Here is an 83 year old solo female motorbike rider from Vermont - while other old folks stay home worried about discomfort, inconveniences, elements...she’s traveling the world (solo) by motorbike.

Attachment 1Attachment 1

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by ScottP

OMG!

Really?
Attachment 1Attachment 355873Attachment 1Attachment 1Attachment 1
Our experience->

We travel the ferry 5-7 times per year.
Attachment 1
With an Interstate Plus 6x12 motorcycle trailer, and w/a Globetrotter and (mostly) by motorcycle. Never ever an issue with clearance or unsafe travel conditions.

I’ll send a PM with feedback and advice on possible destinations when looping the island. We hang at a lovely pasture on a farm and enjoy everything the farm has to offer - including the Scottish Highlanders.


Be adventurous and plan ahead, as others have advised. Here is an 83 year old solo female motorbike rider from Vermont - while other old folks stay home worried about discomfort, inconveniences, elements...she’s traveling the world (solo) by motorbike.

Attachment 355869Attachment 355870Attachment 1Attachment 1

Oh bummer ... out of sequence photos despite my best effort ... I’m sorry about that

[rucos]

I was on the ferry with the airstream in May with no issues ...You can look across the straits and see Victoria from Port Angeles.... I normally take the Coho ferry 2-4 times per year. I read on this and other forums about make sure you "check the tides"??
Absolutely check the tides if you are planning on going salmon fishing or scuba diving, but I have never in my life (born in Victoria) checked the tide tables before booking/boarding a ferry. The Coho and BC Ferries are set up so the ramp system deals with the tides.
Who said the ferries are flat bottom?????These aren't barges! The chances of rough weather in July are almost zero ...if it does get real rough in the winter they cancel sailings.
The Coho (Washington State Ferries) is an old boat built about 1953 but she runs great and does the crossing in about 1 1/2 hrs.....services are basically vending machines small coffee bar.....Unless something changed in the last few months Dogs are allowed in the passenger area with a lease. With BC ferries they have to stay in vehicle or on the car deck if you walk on.
I would highly recommend that you consider taking the Vancouver-Victoria ferry on one leg of your journey. The ride is spectacular thru the Gulf Islands...still about 1 1/2hrs....ferrues run from 7am-9pm on the hour in summer....slightly less expensive than the Coho.. this is a Super ferry that has lounges restaurants etc.... much newer than the the Coho. The Coho is a great way to avoid Seattle for us while driving I-5 but the Van-Vict is a much more stunning ride. All ferries stop for whales close by (its the law)
All Ferries can be reserved online and shouldn't be an issue getting reservations if you book a few week, or even days ahead unless its a long weekend.
As far a camping goes ....how long do you plan on being on the Island??...remember Vancouver Island is one of the 50 largest Islands in the world.....bigger than the States of ....Vermont...New Hampshire....Masachusetts and more than twice as big as Connecticut. So there is a lot to see.
Just on the outer edge of Victoria heading up island is Goldstream Provincial Park very nice and like most Provincials no site services...large sites...lots of trees and privacy....dump/water station....shower/washroom. Very popular so you would want to reserve. In normal traffic your about a 15-20 minute drive into the city. The city area has a few full service private campgrounds.
Rathtrevor Provincial Park about 2- 3 hrs north of Victoria on the ocean with massive tidal beaches ....very very popular in summer ...no site services.Large park.
Buttle Lake Provincial.... very nice...no served sites.
Tofino on the north west coast is world famous and has a great National Park ....big surf and stunning beaches. Very popular place all year...... we stay at Crystal Cove Rv Park (full service excellent staff) an awesome private site... first class, but they only have so many sites for bigger rigs....must book early!! same with Pacific Rim National park(no services at sites)
The island is beautiful in July you'll have a great time......enjoy