Gulf Islands Travel

Here is some information to help you or your travel agent make arrangements to get you to our departure points. Below are some contact numbers and links you may find helpful for travel arrangements and lodging.

How to get to our departure point:
Spirit Bear voyages meet in Sidney, BC, just outside of Victoria. Sidney is a five minute drive from either the Victoria Airport or the Swartz Bay ferry from Vancouver, so a taxi from either location will be easy.

Seattle, WA Travel Options

Air
This is the easiest option as the Victoria Airport is only a five minute taxi ride from the Spirit Bear.

Horizon Air has many flights each day between Seattle & Victoria. www.horizonair.com

Air Canada also has a few flights per day between Seattle & Victoria. www.aircanada.ca

Sea plane
You can also take a more scenic flight on a seaplane. Most seaplanes will land in the Victoria Harbour, about 20 minutes and a $40 taxi ride from Sidney and the Spirit Bear.

Kenmore Air runs two flights each day between Seattle and the Victoria Harbour for about $250 round trip. www.kenmoreair.com.

Car / Ferry
If you have extra time, the drive from Seattle offers many options for extra sightseeing. You can also make most of these options work without a car.

The shortest route is to drive to Vancouver and then take the ferry to Vancouver Island. The approximate time from Seattle to Sidney is 5 hours, which includes the border crossing, a two-hour ferry ride and waiting time for the ferry. A driving guide and road map will be included in your trip package. Ferry information can be found at www.bcferries.com, or by phone at 250-753-1261. (To avoid Vancouver traffic take the Tsawwassen ferry to Swartz Bay (Victoria).

Two other options include driving to Anacortes and taking the ferry through the San Juan Islands to Sidney on the Washington State Ferries. Or you can drive to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula and take the Coho Ferry to Victoria. There is also a passenger only ferry that runs between Seattle and Victoria, the Victoria Clipper. From Victoria it is about a twenty minute drive to Sidney.

Many car rental options are available at the Seattle Airport
http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ground/rentalcars.shtml

Vancouver, BC Travel Options

Air
This is the easiest option as the Victoria Airport is only a five minute taxi ride from the Spirit Bear.

Pacific Coastal has a couple flights each day between Vancouver & Victoria. www.pacific-coastal.com

Air Canada has many flights each day between Vancouver & Victoria. www.aircanada.ca

Sea plane
You can also take a more scenic flight on a seaplane or helicopter. Most seaplanes will land in the Victoria Harbour, about 20 minutes and a $40 taxi ride from Sidney and the Spirit Bear.

Harbour Air runs multiple flights each day between the Vancouver Harbour and the Victoria Harbour until mid September for about $200 round trip. www.harbour-air.com

West Coast Air runs multiple flights each day between the Vancouver Harbour and the Victoria Harbour until mid September for about $200 round trip. www.westcoastair.com

Helijet runs a couple flights each day between Vancouver and the Victoria Harbour. Scheduled flights are on weekdays only and are about $150 each way. www.helijet.com

Car/Ferry
Approximate time from Vancouver to Victoria by car is 3 hours, which includes a two-hour ferry ride and waiting time for the ferry. A driving guide and road map will be included in your trip package. Ferry information can be found at www.bcferries.com, or by phone at 250-753-1261. Take the Tsawwassen ferry to Swartz Bay (Victoria) just five minutes from the Spirit Bear.

Most major car rental companies offer onsite rentals at the Vancouver airport.
http://www.yvr.ca/guide/toandfrom/car_rentals.asp

If you’re renting a car on Vancouver Island, National and Budget have the most options.

Bus

Greyhound provides service between Vancouver, BC, and Victoria.
Telephone Toll Free: 1-800-661-8747
In Vancouver: (604) 482-8742.
www.greyhound.ca

Sidney, BC Lodging Recommendations

Miraloma on the Cove
Miraloma is a resort-style waterfront Inn nestled on a beautiful heritage property with private gardens on Vancouver Island.
www.miraloma.ca

Sidney Waterfront Inn & Spa
Sidney Waterfront Inn & Suites is located on the waterfront at the foot of Beacon Ave in Sidney B.C.
www.hotelsidney.com

Beacon Inn
The Beacon Inn at Sidney is a small, urban inn that provides elegant accommodation with a complimentary, gourmét breakfast.
www.beaconinns.com

Deep Cove Chalet
A B&B suite above the finest restaurant on the peninsula.
www.deepcovechalet.com

John Lewis House (in Victoria)
You'll find the location enchanting and convenient. Steps from the front door are the famous Dallas Road waterfront, Mile "0" and Beacon Hill Park.
www.johnlewishouse.com

Abigail's Hotel (in Victoria)
A truly romantic, boutique hotel in the heart of Victoria. Located just three blocks from the picturesque Inner Harbour and downtown business centre.
www.abigailshotel.com

Questions?

We are available from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday, Pacific time to answer any questions you might have. Everyone in our office is familiar with your travel options and can help decide on the best route for you. Please contact us by phone at 800-754-7402 or e-mail at info@seakayaking.com.

We recommend Elan Travel

For help in arranging your travel to and from our departure points, we recommend Elan Travel. They have worked with Northern Lights for years and are familiar with our trips and the needs of our guests. They can help you with travel to Vancouver and Seattle from anywhere in the world.

Give them a call at 800-969-6997 and see what they can do for you. Or e-mail them at travel@citytel.net.

Other Links

Vancouver Island Info (including Victoria, BC)
www.vancouverisland.com

British Columbia Info (including Vancouver, BC)
www.britishcolumbia.com

Map of Vancouver Island Area
vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=30