Travel Tips
Although SALTS does not provide or arrange travel before or after trips, we hope the following information will be useful as you finalize your travel plans.
General Tips
Book flights and accommodation (if needed) as soon as possible.
Make sure you are familiar with your travel and accommodation provider’s policies regarding check-in times, identification required at check-in, baggage limits, and minors travelling alone.
Anyone travelling from outside Canada must know and carefully adhere to Canada’s entrance requirements as provided by Canada Border Services Agency, CBSA.
Always confirm schedules directly with your travel provider(s). Closer to the departure date, ensure nothing has changed by confirming via their websites or by phone. Most state that schedules are subject to change without notice!
Summer trainees and V-Crew will have an option during completion of the online profile to join our Travel Share List (highly recommended). The list allows those sailing to connect to coordinate shared transportation or accommodations and is updated as participants opt-in. Post profile submission, joining can be requested by email.
Flight delays and cancellations have been increasing in frequency over the last few years. We suggest arriving at your departure location the day prior to sailing to avoid potentially missing your ship’s boarding and departure time.
Transportation
Victoria is located on Vancouver Island, 100 km southwest of the city of Vancouver, BC. There are many transportation options for trainees travelling to and from Vancouver Island and from outside Greater Victoria.
Tourism Victoria - Getting Here is a great resource with links to these and other transportation options.
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BC Ferries operates service between the Swartz Bay Terminal, 30 minutes north of Victoria, and the Metro Vancouver ferry terminal of Tsawwassen. There are frequent sailings during the day with public buses and taxi service available to downtown.
Black Ball Ferry Line operates the M.V. Coho ferry with up to 3 daily crossings between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Port Angeles, Washington, USA.
FRS Clipper offers service once daily each way between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Seattle or Friday Harbour, Washington, USA.
Victoria Harbour Ferry provides a fun, local experience to get from a number of docks around Victoria’s Harbour to the SALTS Dock (Chinatown Dock stop).
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Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is located about 30 minutes north of downtown Victoria by car.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) offers connection through to Victoria by air or by ferry via public or hired transportation to the terminal.
Harbour Air and Kenmore Air operate from the Victoria Harbour Airport (YWH) in the Inner Harbour.
Pacific Coastal Airlines provides flights to and from Victoria International Airport and many locations in British Columbia, all connecting through Vancouver International Airport’s SOUTH Terminal. They also offer charter services.
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BC Transit provides public bus transportation in Greater Victoria, with regular service to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and several trips per day to and from the Victoria International Airport YYJ. If you need to change buses for your trip, you will want to get a DayPASS. Fares can be paid using cash, some contactless payment methods and the Umo App.
Translink provides public transportation from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
BCFerries Connector (operated by The Wilson’s Group) offers service connecting Victoria and Vancouver, with the option to include the ferry crossing and service to both the Victoria and Vancouver airports.
Vancouver Island Connector (operated by The Wilson’s Group) services areas between Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Ucluelet, and Tofino.
IslandLink provides service on Vancouver Island between Victoria and Campbell River, including the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo (to Horseshoe Bay) and the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal (to Denman and Hornby Islands).
Accommodation
These sites are good resources for accommodation, transportation and attractions:
Gear
If you have forgotten something, or are flying and would prefer not to transport all items from the packing list, you can find many items at stores near our dock, such as:
The information on this page is updated as available. While we strive to provide accurate information, we strongly caution that you double check all information for accuracy and contact service providers directly.
Transportation
Port Hardy is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island, approximately 500 km north of Victoria. Trainees travelling to and from Port Hardy can choose from several transportation options, including air travel from Vancouver, highway and bus connections from other Vancouver Island communities, and ferry service from British Columbia’s Central and North Coast.
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Port Hardy is approximately a 6-hour drive north from Victoria or 4 hours from Nanaimo.
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The Port Hardy Airport (YZT) is a 10-minute drive from the dock location and is serviced by Pacific Coastal Airlines from Vancouver (YVR) Airport’s South Terminal.
Trainees flying into Port Hardy need to be on a morning flight or arrive the day prior to boarding and stay overnight. Trainees flying out of Port Hardy may have to stay overnight after disembarking and catch a flight the next day. Keep in mind that weather delays are common in this region.
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If travelling to Vancouver Island by ferry, see the BC Ferries website for details about routes and reservations.
Regular service between Vancouver Island and BC’s Mainland (near Vancouver):
Nanaimo (Duke Point)–Tsawwassen
Nanaimo (Duke Point)–Horseshoe Bay
Swartz Bay (Victoria, BC)–Tsawwassen.BC Ferries operates several trips per week along the Central Coast of British Columbia from the Bear Cove terminal in Port Hardy to Prince Rupert with stops at Bella Coola, Bella Bella and Klemtu. For mature trainees and/or families, travelling this ferry route could create a great vacation. However, it’s important to note that the route is very long and the schedule may not coincide with SALTS departure or arrival days, requiring additional days of accommodation at Prince Rupert or Port Hardy.
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IslandLink Bus – Daily service to/from Victoria and Port Hardy with stops in Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River. The bus departure/arrival times are not guaranteed to line up with our boarding/disembarking times for same-day travel. An overnight stay in Port Hardy before/after your trip may be required.
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To or from the Port Hardy airport, we recommend pre-booking a taxi and possibly sharing the ride with other trainees, by connecting through the travel share list for your trip.
Waivin’ Flags Taxi 250-230-8294
Town Taxi 250-949-7877
Accommodation
Keep in mind that accommodations can book up well in advance, particularly around the days when the BC Ferry is arriving or departing Port Hardy.
North Coast Trail Backpackers Hostel is within view of the Seagate Pier. The owners have warmly welcomed many SALTS trainees (and staff) over the years and set aside separate rooms just for SALTS trainees, so be sure to mention that you are with SALTS when booking!
Visit
NOTE: The annual event Filomi Days is held the 3rd weekend of July in Port Hardy. This may cause an increase in the need for transportation services and accommodations as well as road closures and parking challenges leading up to, during and after the event. Please book your transportation and accommodations as soon as service providers will allow.
The information on this page is updated as available. While we strive to provide accurate information, we strongly caution that you double check all information for accuracy and contact service providers directly.
Transportation
Most trainees who are not residents of Haida Gwaii will arrive or depart through the Sandspit Airport (YZP). Air Canada currently has one flight per day each direction between Sandspit Airport (YZP) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Recommended typical travel arrangements for trainees:
Disembarking in Daajing Giids after Trip 2 Pacific Grace
The ship will arrive at the breakwater in the Village of Daajing Giids at 11:00am and trainees will board the airport shuttle (book the "Daajing Giids Visitor Centre" pickup point within view of the dock). The shuttle will take them across a short ferry ride, which is a separate in-person fee of about $10 for the ferry. The shuttle will continue to the Sandspit Airport (YZP) for Air Canada flight AC 8294 currently scheduled to depart at 3:25pm* and arriving at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) at 5:05pm.
Boarding in Daajing Giids for Trip 3 Pacific Grace
We encourage trainees to book Air Canada flight AC 8293 from Vancouver (YVR), currently scheduled to depart from Vancouver International Airport at 12:55pm* and arrive at Sandpit Airport (YZP) 2:41pm. Trainees will board the airport shuttle (book the "Daajing Giids Visitor Centre" drop-off point) promptly after airport arrival. The shuttle will take them across on the 3:30pm short ferry ride, then drop them off right in view of the breakwater, where our ship will be docked. There is no fee for the ferry crossing when travelling from the airport to Daajing Giids.
*Remember Air Canada schedules are subject to change at any time. This can include a later arrival for the start of trips departing Daajing Giids. If the flight arrives later than originally expected either due to flight changes or delays, departure will be delayed until all trainees arrive. However, this can mean loss of trip time, so it is suggested to arrive the day prior to sailing and stay the night. Gracie’s Place has been a gracious host to our trainees for several years and is a short walk from the dock.
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Sandspit Airport (YZP) is located on Moresby Island, approximately a 20-minute drive from the BC Ferries Alliford Bay terminal. On Graham Island, the Skidegate Landing ferry terminal is about a 10-minute drive from Daajing Giids.
The airport shuttle is provided by Gwaii Taxi and all trainees who will fly to or from the Sandspit Airport must arrange their own transportation through Gwaii Taxi’s online booking as soon as bookings are released on their site approximately 2-3 months in advance. The fee is $65.00.
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BC Ferries operates several crossings per week between Prince Rupert and Graham Island (Skidegate), but it’s important to be aware that BC Ferries’ northern routes require advanced reservation. The schedule is limited and sometimes disrupted by weather or staffing shortages. There are strict requirements regarding the check-in time and mandatory identification for all passengers.
BC Ferries services the short crossing between Skidegate Landing on Graham Island (10-minutes from the dock at Daajing Giids) and the Alliford Bay Terminal on Moresby Island (20 minutes from the Sandspit Airport). The ferry fee is only charged at the Skidegate terminal
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Gwaii Taxi & Tours: Airport shuttle, taxi service, vehicle rental & tours
Eagle Transit: operates service Mon to Fri between Masset Hospital and Daajing Giids. Reservations required, minimum 2 days prior.
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Pacific Coastal Airways – offers a daily flights between the Vancouver Airport’s (YVRS) South Terminal and Masset Municipal Airport (ZMT), which is approx. 115 km north of Daajing Giids. However, there is currently no scheduled public transportation from Masset to Daajing Giids, so vehicle rental is the most realistic way to travel from Masset to Daajing Giids. Eagle Transit operates a hospital-to-hospital shuttle between Daajing Giids and Masset that may have room for non-medical riders – reservations are required.
BC Ferries operates several crossings per week between Prince Rupert and Graham Island (Skidegate), but it’s important to be aware that BC Ferries’ northern routes require advanced reservation. The schedule is limited and sometimes disrupted by weather or staffing shortages. There are strict requirements regarding the check-in time and mandatory identification for all passengers.
Visiting & Accommodations
Mature trainees and family or friends who want to take advantage of this opportunity to spend some time in the amazing Haida Gwaii region can find further information on accommodations, car rentals, and exploration options at:
Gracie's Place Hotel - 250-637-1202
NOTE: The annual Edge of the World Music Festival is held in mid-August on Haida Gwaii. This may cause an increase in the need for transportation services to and from the island, and accommodations leading up to, during, and after the festival. Please book your air travel, shuttle and any accommodations as soon as service providers will allow.
The information on this page is updated as available. While we strive to provide accurate information, we strongly caution that you double check all information for accuracy and contact service providers directly.
