Discover Coast Ferry - Part II

Within 3 or 4 hours of leaving Bella Coola the Queen of Chilliwack is well into the deep waters of Burke Channel.  The water colour has lost the glacial green and it has the dark, cold, rich look of the Pacific waters.  It isn't a surprise when the Captain announces, 'there's a Humpback Whale on starboard side", as you enter into the narrows of Burke Channel.  It's the first of at least a dozen different Humpback sightings on the days trip.  A slight course alteration takes us a little closer to the whales so that everyone gets a good look and a chance for photos.

The Queen of Chilliwack was a ferry obtained by BC Ferry Corp from Norwegian interests and sailed to BC via the Panama.  It's one of only 3 or 4 in their fleet that can cross open waters like Queen Charlotte Sound because it has waterproof doors.  It is not particularly large or luxurious, has no staterooms, but has good reclining seats and showers.  There is lots of good deck space for outside enjoyment of  the calm summer days and even a solarium if it's cooler.

At the entrance to Burke Channel the ferry makes a hard turn to port and begins it's southward trip through the wide and scenic Fitz Hugh Sound as works it way south.  More sightings of Humpback Whales continue and the water is nearly flat calm.  A large ocean liner from the Disney Cruise Lines catches up and dwarfs the ferry as it passes by, just as the ferry reaches the midway point of the journey in Fitz Hugh Sound, just over 6 hours out of Bella Coola.  Grizzly

Discovery Coast Ferry - Part III next post.