In order to get to Vancouver from Victoria (or vice-versa), you will need to cross the Strait of Georgia. There are a couple of options to get this done, but most of them are either not the most family-friendly or will cost a small fortune for traveling families. Never fear, there is another option, and after our crossing with BC Ferries we found out that those other options did not compare for our family.
Here are the 5 reasons BC Ferries is the BEST way to travel across the Strait of Georgia:
- It’s easy! I was able to book our reservations online, so when I arrived at the terminal they looked up our reservation and directed us to our respective waiting lane. We drove onto the ferry, locked the car with our luggage, and set off to explore. Which meant we didn’t have to lug our luggage around or even better worry about luggage weight. Also because we had traveled to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, it was a mode of transportation that Roo was familiar with.
- The Views! Even on the rainy day that we set out the views from BC Ferries was beautiful. We didn’t see any marine life, but I was told to keep your eyes peeled because guests have spotted seals, whales, and eagles.
- Food Glorious Food! I had done some research ahead of time and was delighted to learn that BC Ferries had a variety of dining options onboard. They offer an all-inclusive buffet, a self-serve restaurant, and a coffee & snack station. We hadn’t eaten yet so we opted for the all-inclusive buffet and it was delicious and filling. The buffet featured a wide selection of hot and cold items, with a salad bar, desserts galore, and beverages. But the food was not the best part, the ocean-view seating was the icing on the cake! We were able to sit down in an elegant, relatively quiet environment and enjoy a meal and the view. This allowed Roo to have a break from the sensory overload of being an on the ferry and allowed the adults to have a hot meal!
- Kid-Friendly! After our bellies were full Roo & I set out to explore. Christa & Lightning Bug headed back to the car so that she could get in a nap before we arrived in Vancouver (yet another one of the bonuses of ferry travel). We discovered a small arcade and also a large playroom! We are always looking for travel options that allow kids to be kids and this was definitely it. It can be hard for Roo to be cooped up in one place for too long, so having a place for her let out some of that energy is such a great idea.
- Relax! The whole point of taking the ferry was to let someone else do the driving right? So you should also take some time to relax. BC Ferries has a lot of different options depending on what your idea of relaxing entails. They have an all-inclusive quiet lounge, the window seats inside the ferry, or our personal favorite the upper deck. Because it was a bit of a dreary day we had the upper deck practically to ourselves. The wind can be a bit intense outside of the closed off areas, but I am sure on a clear day the views are breathtaking.
There are tons more reasons than the above 5 as to why BC Ferries is the best way to travel across the Georgia Strait, but all of these reasons helped us feel like we were on a mini cruise! Once we arrived in Vancouver we were rested, full, and rejuvenated for our journey to Vancouver.
*Disclosure: I was NOT paid or provided a media rate for our BC Ferries trip, I paid full market value for our fare and food.
