Has anyone planned and executed a trip from the San Juan’s to Victoria, CA? Looking for advice and tips.
Mark
Yeah - used to do quite often pre-pandemic - it’s a quick run in the RBS; we would mostly do day-trips. Haven’t been since, so you’d need to check the entry-rules and use ArriveCAN to register covid-status etc.
Having NEXUS cards for everyone on board makes it super easy, but assuming you don’t - you can pull into the customs dock (“Raymur Point CBSA Boat Dock”) in Victoria Inner Harbor (or Oak Bay if you think it might be super busy) and do passport control there (usually by phone). I can give you more info on the NEXUS procedure if you do have them.
For return, I would use the CBP Roam iPhone app. Make sure you call in where you have a good signal - as sometimes they want to video interview you. I just call in after I get back into US waters and have a signal. Other option is stop at Roche or FH.
If you haven’t been into Victoria Harbor before - pay attention the buoys that direct vessel traffic so that float planes can get in and out.
Make sure you don’t have agriculture or booze on board.
Call in an ask for a “run ashore” slip - I think it’s up to 4 hours or something, otherwise you have to pay overnight rate.
The CBSA office at the inner harbor is closed (used to be at the Black Ball building). The office is now in town quite a few blocks. Expect a decent wait if they want to come down and inspect your boat. Also the phone reporting wait time is horrible I spent 45 minutes on hold last time(three weeks ago) only to get disconnected. Spent 30 more minutes and got cut off again. I called the local office and asked what can I do I can’t get through to anyone on the phone and he said I HAD to go through the telephone reporting system. I asked if I could just go home (I live 45 minutes from Sidney where I was at) and he said “no” it’s a $10,000 fine if I get caught. I called my Canadian lawyer(I have a work visa for Canada) and she told me to press 2 for French because they all speak English also and the reason the system is all backed up is Americans are flooding into Canada since the border opened. I did that and got straight through… the CBSA gal wasn’t happy with me when I told her I didn’t speak French but she processed me anyway. Not meaning to scare you off… just be aware and bring a snack if you get stuck waiting. I have Nexus and a work permit and those things didn’t help me. Uggh… but once you get there Victoria is awesome!
As for trip planning… the water in front of Vic Harbor can get sloppy in a southerly or with big tides(HUGE tides this week). When it’s dicey or suspect I like to go North/South via Haro Straight to Roche to minimize my time exposed in JDF and then also have to manage my tide planning in Cattle Pass which can get bumpy. Definitely get the Roam App it’s great. You also need the ArriveCan App they won’t process you without it and it’s a pain to download and set up while standing on the dock next to the telephone. You have to upload your Vax Card to the App also so getting all that done in advance helps. I know I am making it sound like a total PITA but it’s just hoops to get through and maybe I’ve made all the mistakes already! lol
@gnelsonorcas - how come you didn’t call it in via Nexus before you left US? Usually when I do that they gave me a touch point and if no CBP shows up I’m free to enter. Different protocol with covid now?
This is all very helpful. Having travelled to many places in the world where entry and exit are unbelievably crowded and chaotic, this doesn’t sound super crazy. I have Global Entry but I do need to get a NEXUS card. I will have to work with the rest of the passengers to get them properly papered.
I was wondering about sea conditions. Got the harbor sloppy note. Also familiar with the currents in Cattle Pass as I’ve seen some sail boats get whipped around and unable to make forward progress. Anything else enroute that required special attention? Haro Strait? Also do people go inside Trail Island or go around to the south?
I’ve gone inside and out of Trial Island. I’ll go inside if it’s calm it’s a fun navigation but stay well outside if it’s nasty… I grew up a sailor and hate a lee shore…
Re: calling in via Nexus I haven’t done that and didn’t know it was a thing. I usually use Nexus for the land border. I’ll have to check that out. Always something to learn!
Ditto on Trial - I’ve been both sides. On the inside - just have to pay attention to depth channel through there - but there is a wide margin. For some reason it feels faster to go on the outside on the way home - probably as I’m slowing down a little to navigate the inside.
That said - I’d trust Geoffs wisdom on the seas infinitely over mine. I did not grow up as a sailor, and my RBS is more or or less the first boat I’ve ever been on apart from a Ferry. I’m much more of a clueless “punch it in to Navionics” and follow it like it was Waze kind of sailor 
NEXUS procedure is quite simple - you just call in the NEXUS reporting line 30m (up-to 4 hrs) before entering Canada - give them your info and pick a NEXUS marine site and time you will be there. Often they tell you if no CBP officer is present - wait 15m and then you are free to enter.
Once you’ve done it a few times you can register with them to get a “BR” number (Boater Registration) where you register vessel and typical passengers. So now, I just call in - give them one of the BR numbers and don’t have to convey all the info - they just pull up the data for the our family and ask who is on board today.
Several times I’ve called in - they’ve just said “Welcome to Canada - no need to stop at the reporting site”.
We’ve used NEXUS stations at Pender, Victoria and Oak Bay and also the one at Stevenson (heading to Vancouver) - but while that one looks simple enough - it’s actually quite a bit of effort to navigate the Frasier river entrance - weird currents and shallows plus lot of tug traffic and speed limits.
I have not used the Cabbage Island one - but will do for next trip to Desolation Sound. Apparently there is no dock there - just you mill around in the area at your time waiting for a CBP boat to come board you, and if they don’t - good to go.
Note - my NEXUS experience is pre-pandemic era - so I’m sure things might be a little different. Oddly - the pages I linked to above don’t even mention ArriveCAN - which seems odd - so maybe they haven’t updated?
Ever since the order reopened they’ve not let me come in without using ArriveCan. We even had to download it while on the dock with CBSA agents there (new phone didn’t have it on it) and go through the process and only after 15 minutes of fighting technology would they admit they actually had the old form and let us do it by hand.
I’ll definitely try that Nexus Marine version next time (I am tempted to do it today just for sport!) no one over there has ever mentioned it and i’ve been over at least half a dozen times since August. I am going tomorrow but it’s a sprinter van trip this time.