Customs Question -- Entering Canada at Vancouver Island

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Tortuga

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Greetings all!

I'll be towing Tortuga up to the San Juans in August for a week of cruising. We'll be renting a house on San Juan Island, and using Roche Harbor as a base.

I'd like to cruise in and around Vancouver Island from Saaniche Inlet down to Victoria.

For those with local knowledge my questions are --

a) What is the easiest way to clear customs and enter Canada?

b) Will I need to clear customs every day I cross the international border or only when/ if I land?

c) Any suggestions on where to go day tripping??

We'll also be exploring the Islands and whale watching -- the posts on related threads have been helpful in those areas.

Thanks!

Matt
 
Matt, The easiest way to enter Canada and customs in my opinion is at So. Pender Island. It has always been a phone call from there to Victoria, the normal questions, who, where, how long, how much money, weapons, booze, and they give you a number and you are off and running. I would suggest that you stay in Canada and do/see/experience all you want to do and then come back into the USA. Roche Harbor is one of the main entry points back into the USA. In my opinion it would be a major pain in the bum to go back and forth. Unless you enjoy spending a lot of time explaining why you are going back and forth. If you get my drift.
From Roche Harbor you would go north and a little west around Stuart Is. and then due north to S. Pender. About 10-12 NM. From there you have the entire Southern Gulf Islands to play with. I have not been to/through Saanich Inlet. But from S. Pender you can go north to Montague Harbor on Galiano Is. , great place. South then to Saltspring Island and then due south to Sidney. BC and finally Victoria.

Hope that is helpful.
 
Matt,

Other points of entry into Canada are either Port Sidney Marina or Tseehum Harbor, both on the Sannich penninsula. Both locations have a customs dock where you pull in and use a phone to reach customs. Answer the questions, and get a clearance number.
 
Matt
If you haven't been to Canada for a while, handguns are forbidden :disgust and you can no longer take in a rifle or shotgun without buying an "Importers License" (another hand in your pocket) :smileo . This requires entering some where there is an agent on duty and waiting for one will cost you a lot of time. Remember...Customs Agents have no sense of humor :sad (It's a Government Requirement). :wink
:smiled Jack
 
Thanks for the great information. It will be the first time taking the boat across the border so I am a little nervous. It sounds like the best option is to cruise the US side while home-based at San Juan Island -- then cross to Canada for a few days.

Another question -- anyone know of a spot to moor close enough to either Victoria Airport or Duncan so we can rent a car and spend a day seeing the Victoria area? I suppose there are buses etc. as well. Gotta be better public transit than here is southern California!

Matt
 
The closest landing to the Victoria Airport is the Port Sidney Marina about a 20 minutes from Victoria. As Larry said it is also a Customs entry port. Sidney Spit Marine Park is nearby with docks, good anchorage and buoys. I have mostly found anchoring out a bit too exposed. Nearby is Portland Island's Princess Margaret Marine Park - the best small boat anchorage in my opinion is on the north side, off Satellite Channel - you may experience a bit of ferry wash though. Tsehum Marina is fairly close and has excellent showers and fuel dock. I have no experience with public transit but suspect it will waste a lot of time figuring it out. Enjoy your visit.
 
If you behave yourself, getting into Canada is easy, but coming back to U.S. you are required to have a PASSPORT. I believe car rentals are available in Sidney. Very good bus system to Victoria but watch out, there are two types. Local and express. The local takes about two hours, but it does stop at Buchart Gardens. The express makes a quick run down the freeway. Downtown Victoria is a great place for just walking around.
 
Auklet":12yid738 said:
...but coming back to U.S. you are required to have a PASSPORT.
Click to expand...

I believe that only applies to air travel - as of now.

By boat/car, I believe photo ID + birth certificate still works.
 
I have had good luck at Bedwell Harbour, you just phone in from the Dock @ Poet's Cove resort.

What about the question regarding a short no-landing visit to Canadian Waters? If I anchor overnight, but no one goes ashore are we able to just depart w/o calling at customs on EITHER side of the line?
 
Larry's advise on US-Canada customs:

Boats from either the US or Canada can travel freely thru either countries waters, including fishing without anchoring.

Docking, anchoring, or coming alongside another boat(hovering) require clearing with customs. Clearing must be done at designated places on both sides of the border. When you dock at a customs dock, only the captain or designated person may get off the boat and go to the phone to clear. No baggage, persons, pets, trash, etc. can leave the boat until customs has granted a clearance number. In most cases, no one will come to your boat. The clearance is done by using a dedicated phone (not a pay phone). Assume they are watching you with a TV camera. If you have prohibited items, someone will have to come to your boat and you will have to wait.

It is not a good idea to mess with customs. They can take your boat and detain you. They can also do a thorough search including looking inside tanks (by cutting)or any other closed space.

Assume that customs knows that you have crossed the border, and proceed to the customs dock and clear. If you are fishing in the other countries water, do not go alongside any other boat. You will need a fishing license for each country that you fish in. I would call customs on the phone and ask any questions you might have. I have had friendly phone conversations with the Canadian Customs.

Shrimping and crabbing are a gray area, The pot touches the bottom, like an anchor, but I have been told that it is OK to shrimp of crab without clearing. It's best to call and ask about that.

When answering questions asked by customs, give short, exact answers, and do not volunteer information. Do not explain anything unless they ask.

Some items are not allowed to cross the border. Guns are best not taken across. Pit fruit, potatoes, and beef (including pet food) and sometimes eggs may be restricted. The list changes each year and getting the latest info by phone before you go could save you time and trouble. Dogs and cats need to have a current rabies vaccination and an INTERNATIONAL rabies certificate. Birds are a special case, ask customs first.

Booze, wine, beer and cigarettes are limited so check first.

Summary: Know the rules, follow the rules, don't cheat, and remember that the customs folks have a difficult job and they have NO sense of humor when doing that job.

This is my best advise, not guaranteed, use with caution!
 
Da Nag":qmlh705k said:
By boat/car, I believe photo ID + birth certificate still works.
Click to expand...

Yes, but you have to answer more questions and wait while they look you up. Passport is faster. Nexus or I-68 is even faster.

Speaking of Nexus, the paper today (Times, I think) had an article about how people trying to renew their Nexus were denied because their only sin was, for example, having a son who was busted for dope 20 years ago. It's a zero-tolerance program.

Warren
 
Thanks again everyone for all of the advice, suggestions, and ideas. We went ahead and got passports for everyone. Looking forward to the trip!

Matt
 
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