Victoria Harbour Ferry is pleased to introduce you to the Annual Pass program. Developed to reward our frequent traveller, the Annual Pass provides local and regional residents an opportunity to ‘hop’ around our harbour as often as the Pass Holder wishes. For $100 the Pass Holder will enjoy a season of exploration and transportation from downtown to Esquimalt, as well as to and from many of the 18 harbour ferry stops.

Enjoy the escape from traffic jams, the din of noisy vehicles and relax aboard a Harbour Ferry... with your Annual Pass.

Barb's Place

Save Victoria Harbour

Each of our participating restaurants invites you to enjoy their unique and special menu items, served-up with a friendly smile, plus all the water you can see at no extra charge. No matter which waterfront restaurant you choose, we can take you there.

So sit back, enjoy our guide, our hospitality, and your meal.

Thank You!

DON'T MISS the ferries 'dance' to the music of the Blue Danube Waltz in the Inner Harbour as the Captains take their jaunty little boats through the paces in a precision water ballet.

The ballet can be viewed from almost any waterside location around the harbour. The final performance of the year takes place on the Labour Day weekend.

If your party is less than 12 people and you still want to travel as a group, might we suggest that you simply head down to the STOP nearest you as the boats travel so often during the busy summer season that there is seldom a wait of more than a few minutes.

For groups of 12 or more people, please complete the form below and we will be please to make the necessary arrangements.

If you wish to inquire about any other special arrangements, please Contact Us.

Group/Tour Operator Reservation Request

The shortest way between two points and far more memorable than a car or bus ride.
Consider a Harbour Hop to be a short tour, or a fun option when you’re heading off for a meal at one of the great restaurants or brew pubs surrounding Victoria’s Inner Harbour, including:

Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can stroll past floating homes and ocean-going fishing boats, while enjoying the best ice crean in the city… fish and chips… or stop to purchase fresh crab, shrimp or other local seafood from marine vendors along the wharf.

Swift Street Landing is located at the entrance to Victoria’s historic Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in North America north of San Francisco. Be sure to visit The Canoe Brew Pub for a delicious, waterside meal before you rejoin your ferry boat cruise.

Westsong Walkway, a 30 minute walk along scenic path way that leads from the west side of the blue, Johnson Street bridge and along the site of the ancient Songhees native Indian lands. Before heading out on your walk, stop for refreshments at Lure Seafood Restaurant and Bar or stop for a pint at Spinnakers Brew Pub before continuing your walk, which ends at the West Bay Marine Village and RV Park in Esquimalt.

West Bay Marine Village and RV Park is home to many of Victoria’s “float home” residents and is adjacent to Work Point Barracks. This area is often overlooked and yet offers some unique glimpses into Victoria’s past. While you’re there stop for refreshments at the Princess Mary Cafe.

Coast Harbourside Hotel is located on the waterfront and easily accessible by boat or on foot. Be sure to visit The Blue Crab Restaurant for some of the finest seafood in Victoria, served-up with a terrific view of the entrance to the Inner Harbour.

Point Ellice House overlooks the waters of Victoria’s scenic Gorge Waterway, Point Ellice House is where the ‘locals’ go to enjoy High Tea. Just as British Navy officers and other guests could do over a hundred years ago, you can still be dropped off at the dock! Hop aboard the Harbour Ferry in front of the Empress Hotel and hop-off at Point Ellice House to try your hand at croquet or enjoy a walk through the gardens and woodland areas where you can view the scenic Selkirk Waterway.

Selkirk Waterfront is located at the north end of the Selkirk Trestle, and was once a working sawmill. Today it is home to the Victoria Rowing Club, as well as being the site of newly developed waterside condominiums, town houses, office buildings and restaurants. Be sure to stop for refreshments at Glo Europub where you’ll get a 180-degree waterfront view of the inlet and the Selkirk Trestle.

Harbour Tour | Gorge Waterway Cruise | Harbour Hops

Enjoy a 60-minute cruise along the Gorge Waterway with a relaxing narration while you pass historic homes, shipyards, and a variety of sea life. Step back in time while you enjoy the views.

The Gorge Waterway Cruise is a 60 minute marine adventure that takes you past the Selkirk Waterfront and deep into the Gorge Waterway. This is a part of Victoria that many visitors overlook. As a Harbour Ferry Passenger you’ll discover a fascinating part of our history that you will never forget.

Your cruise sets sail from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and takes you past stately, historical buildings, a working shipyard, while cruising under bridges and railway trestles and past tranquil residential areas, to the world-famous “Reversing Falls” before returning to the Harbour.

Some sites you’ll pass along the way include:

Point Ellice House overlooks the waters of Victoria’s scenic Gorge Waterway and is where the ‘locals’ go to enjoy High Tea. Just as British Navy officers and other guests could do over a hundred years ago, people are still dropped off at the dock!

Selkirk Waterfront is located at the north end of the Selkirk Trestle and was once a working sawmill. Today it is home to the Victoria Rowing Club, as well as being the site of newly developed waterside condominiums, town houses, office buildings and restaurants

Reversing Falls is a tidal phenomenon located at the narrowest point in the Gorge Waterway. During certain tides large volumes of water attempt to flow through a narrow, shallow opening, creating a “reversing falls” with a current of up to 6 knots (11 kilometers per hour/6.5 miles per hour) and up to 5.75 feet (1.75 meters) difference in the water level on either side. Harbour Ferry Skippers sometimes “nudge” their little boats into the falls, providing a bit of a “whitewater” thrill for passengers.

The Point Ellice (Bay Street) Bridge where, in 1896 a streetcar designed to carry 60 people was drastically overloaded with 142 passengers, causing the old wooden bridge to collapse under its weight. 55 people drowned in, what still stands as North America’s worst streetcar accident.

The Galloping Goose Trail and the old Selkirk Railway Trestle was once an instrumental part of Victoria’s lumber trade.

Halkett Island is the location of a Songhees Indian native burial ground.

Gorge swimming playground once had huge diving towers and locals spent hot summer days cavorting in the cool, clear waters of the Gorge Waterway.

 

Adults - $26  Seniors - $24  Children (12 & under) - $14 Students - $24 Family Pass - $66 (2 Adults/2 Children)

A 45 minute tour around Victoria’s Inner Harbour, passing a variety of docks along the way including; Fisherman’s Wharf, Ocean Pointe Resort, Coast Harbourside Hotel, Westsong Walkway, and the West Bay Marina and Floating Village.

Your ferry Captain will provide you with a wealth of information about the Harbour’s past, including Coffin Island and an ancient native village that once occupied the entire west side of the harbour.

You’ll see remnants of Victoria Harbour’s hardworking past; in boom chains suspended from rocks, dry docks, tug boats, barges, deep sea ships and the origins of the historical E&N Railway.

Some sites you will pass along the way include:

Fisherman’s Wharf, is where you can see the floating homes and ocean fishing boats. It is a popular place with tourists and locals like to enjoy fish and chips or to purchase fresh crab, shrimp and other local seafood from marine vendors along the wharf.

Swift Street Landing is located at the entrance to Victoria’s historic Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in North America north of San Francisco.

West Bay Marine Village and RV Park is home to many of Victoria’s “float home” residents and is adjacent to Work Point Barracks. This area is often overlooked and yet offers some unique glimpses into Victoria’s past.

As a Victoria Harbour Ferry passenger you’ll gain a whole new perspective of Victoria and learn a whole lot more about Victoria’s history from your friendly and knowledgeable Captain.

HARBOUR TOURS:  Adults - $22  Seniors - $20  Children (12 & Under) - $10  Students - $20  Family Pass - 2 (Adults/2 Children) $54

Purchase your ticket at any one of our Ferry Stops where you see the Ferry Stop sign.

Please include with your request details including: the date and time of the event, location, anticipated number of attendees, the organization(s) that will benefit from the contribution and what recognition Victoria Harbour Ferry will receive, as well as return contact information including mailing address.  Please allow 1 - 2 weeks for a response by email. Recipients are rotated and sponsorship is in the form of complimentary tour certificates. No telephone calls or faxes please. 

Please note: Victoria Harbour Ferry does not provide cash donations.

Donations guidelines:

1. The recipient organization must be local and within the service area of our company.
2. Donations will be in the form of goods or services that fall within the scope of our business.
3. Your event might be annual but our donation will not be as we have many requests to fill and we would like to help as many as our budget allows.
4. We will not consider an offer to advertise in exchange for a donation.
5. Only written submissions will be considered – sorry no phone or faxed requests can be accepted.

If your request falls within these guidelines, we look forward to reviewing your submission in January. Send all written submission to:

For donation requests, please review our Donations Policy.

We are always looking for responsible individuals who enjoy people, enjoy being on the water and who have a good sense of fun gained through years of life experience.

We do most of our seasonal hiring in February and March for the following summer season, but do accept resumes year round at:

Victoria Harbour Ferry Company
1234 - N Wharf Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3H9

Attention: Dave MacLennan

Certification or Captain Requirements:

All Captain candidates must be pre-certified with the Transport Canada MED A3 Course  and the Restricted Operators Marine Radio License… see (http://www.headsupnav.com/).

In addition… successful candidates will be required to complete a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency course (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp14692-menu-1373.htm) and Marine Basic First Aid (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-tp13008-chapter3-marine-basic-first-aid-2314.htm)

NOTE: For all successful applicants the SVOP and Marine First Aid course costs are subsidized by Victoria Harbour Ferry Co. Ltd.

All newly appointed Harbour Ferry Captains will be required to complete an additional 20 hours of classroom training and an additional 20 hours of supervised ‘on-the-water’ training.

Are you a land-lubber but would still like to join our team?

We are always looking for sales staff for the summer season to sell tickets and tours. If you like people and enjoy working outside please apply in the late winter/early spring for sales staff positions.

Victoria Harbour Ferry Company
1234 - N Wharf Street
Victoria, BC V8W 3H9

Attention: Dave MacLennan

Thank you for your interest in joining our team.

The first Harbour Ferry began carrying passengers in 1990.

How many boats are there?

The company started with just two boats and now has 11 in Victoria and 2 in Nanaimo. Two boats are adapted to winter travel.

How fast do the ferries travel?

The Harbour Ferries can travel at speeds up to 7 knots. How many passengers does each boat carry? Each boat carries up to 12 passengers plus the skipper.

Are reservations required?

No, reservations are not required. The boats travel so often during the busy summer season that there is seldom a wait of more than a few minute.

Where can tickets be purchased?

Tickets can be purchased from every skipper at any stop. Cash, Visa, Mastercard or American Express are the preferred payment methods.

How do I recognize a stop?

You’ll find a Ferry Stop Sign on the dock. As you look toward the water you will see the ferries coming and going. Check out our maps on this webpage for each stop location.

What is the water ballet?

Five skippers dance their boats through a charming rendition of the Blue Danube in the Water Ballet which is performed in Victoria’s Inner Harbour every Sunday at 10:45 am, from May to September. The performance can be seen and heard from the Inner Harbour causeway. In fact, most Sundays we find hundreds of people waiting for the boats to appear.

Are group packages available?

Yes, group packages can be arranged by calling the office at (250) 708-0201 or by email.

Can I charter a private ferry?

Harbour Ferries are available for private charter and have been used for many celebrations and functions including weddings, school groups, anniversary parties and corporate parties.

Are dogs allowed on board?

Dogs are permitted to ride on the ferries on the condition that no one already on board is allergic or afraid.

How large an area do the ferries cover?

Victoria’s Inner Harbour is 15kms from the Empress Hotel to the Tillicum Bridge through West Bay Village and back to the causeway.