Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
Is there is a ferry running from Bella Coola to Vancouver Island? Is there is a ferry running from Bella Coola to Vancouver Island?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jun 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Is there is a ferry running from Bella Coola to Vancouver Island?
We will have one week left at the end of our Trans Canada & US Sept. '06 trip and we are wondering if it is feasable to go north from Vancouver catch the ferry at Bella Coola to Vancouver Island then finally to Vancouver.
The questions that I have are
Is there a vehicle ferry running form Bella Coola to Vancouver Island?
Are you aware of costs and timetables?
If so what is the duration of the trip, or have you done this yourself?
We think we could fit it in as far as distance goes but the final decision will depend on answers to the questions above. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Jun 2006
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
BC Ferries offers service to Bella Coola twice a week during the summer season (June-September). Fares and schedules are available at:
http://www.bcferries.com.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23 Jun 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Your blood's worth bottling John, have you done the trip yourself? I am guessing that the scenery is spectacular.
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Last edited by loxsmith; 23 Jun 2006 at 08:25.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Jun 2006
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
Smile
No we haven't been there but it looks nice. I did a online search and found their site.
http://www.bellacoola.ca/

I went into my map programs and Bella Coola is about 282 miles (454 KM) from Williams Lake, BC on Hwy 20.
Last edited by John Ferris; 23 Jun 2006 at 17:28.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Jul 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Booked passage
All booked yesterday $285.35 Canadian and waiting for confirmation, approx. 48 hours away. Will post a report after we have done it. I have since discovered that there is about 45mins of dirt riding to get to the ferry terminal, should be fun on the biggest motorcrosser I have ever ridden, a CBR1100XX Blackbird. Should awaken those long lost dirt riding skills.
Anybody else got reports to add for the ferry ride?
Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Oct 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
What a trip
"The Hill" as it is affectionately known by the locals, is a section of very steep good dirt road on the way in to Bella Coola with hairpin corners and no guard rails. We cut the engines and coasted down, had a ball. It can't be too bad as they drive huge RV's down it, even if the brakes do get a little warm. Caught the car ferry from Bella Coola to Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island early on Monday (18/09/06) morning and got the fine weather we were hoping for. We saw Humpback Whales, Killler Whales, White Side Dolphins, Bear etc. on the banks. A pod of over 100 Dolphins were feeding on fish with scavenging birds flying overhead about 1km off to the side of the ship. When they heard the ships engines they raced off in our direction in V formation like it was an Olympic race. To top it off the sun was setting behind them as they raced towards us and the water was like glass, a sight I will never forget. One crew member that we spoke to, commented that in the 10 years she had been on the boat she had never seen such a spectacle. A fantastic day.

Hope this helps the next biker who uses this ferry service

Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Last edited by loxsmith; 5 Oct 2006 at 02:18.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Nov 2006
Zappa's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 33
Glad you made it in one piece, I was abit worried when I saw the bike you where gonna take down the gravel road, especially after searching around abit and saw pics of "The Hill"...

Talked to a former truckdriver who just summed you trip up in one word... "Idiots!" Then he had a few more words that I leave out...

But what you wrote it didn't looked that bad.

Nice meeting you out in nowhere and I hope you had a great trip after that.

Cheers,
Zappa
__________________
Zappa
Stockholm, Sweden
XL600V Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Nov 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
"Idiot" I have been called worse than that along the way, but I have a thick skin. Nothing like riding an CBR1100XX motocross bike on gravel roads. I was expecting a lot worse than that, that's not a hill! Bike has not arrived home yet, can't be far away. Looking at a trip over your way next, lots to investigate.
Keep in touch.
Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Dec 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Edmonton AB Canada
Posts: 9
the hill
kind of a late follow-up to this thread, but here is an aerial photo of "the hill" that descends from the Chilcotin Plateau down to the Atnarko river valley that leads out to Bella Coola.

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...472&p=75141602
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ferry from Kholmsk on Sakhalin Island to Port Vanino Brett Dean Northern and Central Asia 6 22 Dec 2010 03:49
Ferry to Iran from Oman/UAE brettsyoung Middle East 38 26 Dec 2009 19:54

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top