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Destinations: Victoria, BC’s Capital City

Victoria

June 10, 2021

In the June edition of Canadian Yachting Marianne Scott takes us to a city she knows well, Victoria.

Victoria Harbour is well protected from strong winds and Coast Salish people flourished in the area for several thousand years. In 1843, the Hudson’s Bay Co. set up a stockaded fort in the area near today’s Bastion Square with the goal of trading with the Indigenous people. Neither HBC nor the successive settlers that farmed, traded, created sawmills and other industries, built schools and a hospital, asked for permission to occupy the land. Instead, Queen Victoria, who bestowed her name on the city she never saw, gave them permission to seize it.

Moorage in downtown Victoria is available at several locations: The Causeway in front the Empress, Ship Point that accommodates yachts 60 feet and more, and at the Wharf Street Floats. Moorage for yachts 65 feet and up can also berth at the Victoria International Marina. These docks are centrally located and have security gates (see sidebar).

Kwakiutle Bear Pole by Henry HuntKwakiutle Bear Pole by Henry Hunt

Historic Victoria

Victoria, as the oldest city on Canada’s west coast and BC’s capital, is home to a lively downtown with many of its historic buildings preserved—wonderful sightseeing, museums, theatres, shopping, dining, antiquing, tours, totems and flower gazing begin right at the harbour and extend over a wide and very walkable area. Visitors can easily spend several days wandering around. I advocate that you don’t just keep your eyes at street level—look up the buildings’ façades to enjoy the gargoyle-like sculptures and other decorations.

Marinas managed by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, gvha.ca/.

Causeway, 30-amp power, showers at the Broughton Street Pier.

Ship Point, for larger yachts.

Wharf Street Public Wharf, 50-amp power, 1,780’ of dock space.

Other Marinas

Coast Harbourside Hotel Marina, coasthotels.com/coast-victoria-hotel-and-marina-by-apa/.

Victoria International Marina for yachts 65 feet and more, vimarina.ca/.

Victoria Harbour is a no discharge zone; pumpout at Fisherman’s Wharf, end of B dock.

Fuel: Victoria Marine Fuels Ltd., at Fisherman’s Wharf, victoriamarinefuels.com/.

Enjoy a whole lot more about Victoria’s charm in the June issue of CY.

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