From the Anacortes Ferry to Saanich Peninsula attractions: A worthwhile journey!

 

Pretty much everyone planning to travel between Victoria and the Lower Mainland knows about the beautiful BC Ferries route between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. However, not as many people are aware of the direct Anacortes Ferry link between Sidney and Washington State.

The Anacortes ferry winds its way through the beautiful San Juan Islands that lie between the Saanich Peninsula and Washington State, and several sailings actually stop at Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and Lopez Island.

While the ferry is a great way to explore the San Juan Islands, for travelers from Washington State, the trip from Anacortes, just outside of Bellingham and Whatcom County, is actually a quick and cheap way to get from Washington State onto southern Vancouver Island.

Instead of travelling from Seattle to Tsawwassen via the US-Canadian border, the Anacortes ferry trip can cut out a lot of time. There’s not as much distance to travel, there no waits at the border crossing, and the Anacortes ferry terminal is located just a couple of blocks from downtown Sidney. In fact it’s possible to park at Tulista Park and walk all the way into town along the Seaside Walkway.

There is one trip each day from Anacortes to Sidney BC during the summer season, leaving at 8:30 in the morning. The trip takes about two and a half hours, and is a great way to see the tranquil San Juan Islands up close.

Ferries from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands are loaded on a 1st come basis: reservations are not available.

The Anacortes ferry to Sidney BC operates March through December and requires reservations – call 1.206.464.6400.

Same day reservations are not available on the Sidney route, but advance reservations may be made online.

Starting July 1st to September 1st will be a shuttle service to the best attractions, with one of the stops being at the Washington State Ferry Terminal in Sidney. 

The Saanich Peninsula’s finest attractions all on one convenient Hop-On/Hop-Off Shuttle Service. Peninsula Attractions Connector shuttle picks up at BC Ferries on select schedules, Washington State Ferries at Sidney and connects to The Butchart Gardens, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Brentwood Bay Lodge and the Town of Sidneys’ “Booktown”.

For more info, rates and schedule please Click Here

Nevin Thompson writes on behalf of local online marketing company JumpStart Web and the Cedarwood, an “Anacortes ferry hotel“ right across the street from the ferry terminal.