BC Ferries and the Northern Adventure

Another early start for us. We had to be at the BC ferry docks by 5:30 am to check in for our 7:30 departure. It was pouring rain when we woke up; motivating the fastest packing up we’ve done on this whole trip. We had a full day of sailing ahead of us down to the Northern tip of Vancouver Island on the Northern Adventure by B.C. Ferries. 

Once we checked in at the ferry dock we had over an hour to nap in the car before we were loaded onto the ferry. I felt bad for the kayakers beside us waiting in the pouring rain while all their gear and food got soaked.

Once on board we found ourselves some nice window seats and settled in. Immediately, we noticed many differences from the Alaska Ferries that had been our home for the past week. For one, the boat was much newer, and it actually left on time! We found the BC ferries to be a bit more cramped though. There were many services that we didn't have access to without paying a premium. On a whole, our favourite ferry so far has been the Colombia, it had everything we wanted except for the fact that it didn't run! Speaking of the Colombia, we actually passed it as it was heading North again from Bellinham, Washington. Nice to know that they got it fixed and that everyone that we met aboard was finally able to get on their way after being stuck for about three days.

The Colombia lives to sail another day

The first few hours of our sailing were uneventful. Bill and I snacked on the things we had brought aboard with us, napped, read our books and watched tv shows on our lap tops.

By noon the captain began announcing whale and dolphin sightings on either side of the ship. I was able to get a few blurry pictures. We were lucky to see quite a few.

Young whales swimming

By the early afternoon, to foggy weather cleared up and I was able to get some pictures of the beautifully and remote channels we were sailing through. It was mighty windy on deck.

It's very windy out on deck

We arrived in Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver island at 11 pm. Luckily most of the campground operators wait up for the ferry. We booked in at Wildwoods Campground and gladly slept in the next morning.