Ferry From Port Angeles to Victoria with My Dog

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Can dogs go on the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria?

I took the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria with my dogs. I needed to get from Washington State to Victoria on Vancouver Island. The best and easiest way to get to Victoria, so my fingers were crossed that pets would be allowed to join in the crossing.

I found not only are pets allowed, but the Black Ball Coho ferry is also actually quite dog friendly. During our crossing, I counted over 10 furry traveling companions. Many were on a leash. Others were in carriers. Some remained comfortably settled in their cars.

To get all the details for a successful journey going on a ferry with my two terriers Sam and Denver including our experience with Canadian immigration, keep reading so you can be prepared for your own crossing.

Pets on Black Ball Ferry, Port Angeles to Victoria

Since dogs and cats can travel for free on the ferry, it is a great and easy way to get back and forth between Vancouver Island and Washington State. Whether you are going on vacation, relocating, or just want to pop over for a day trip, you don’t have to worry about leaving your dog behind.

Since both Washington State and Victoria are dog friendly, your furry companion will have a great time especially if you prepare ahead of time.

Do I need to buy my dog and/or cat a ticket to ride the Coho Ferry in Port Angeles?

Nope. Dogs ride the ferry for free.

However, you will need to pay for your own ticket. If you are bringing a vehicle, there is an additional cost.

I recommend you make a reservation ahead of time especially if you are driving during high season. There are a limited number of cars allowed on the ferry, so you don’t want to miss out by just showing up. When you have a pet with you, it is more difficult to pivot at the last minute if things don’t work out.

Port Angeles Ferry Terminal

The terminal at 430 Belleville Street in Port Angeles is easy to find and navigate in your own car. They have systems in place to direct you where to go and what to do.

What Happens When We Arrive?

Don’t forget your passport. That’s the first thing the employees check before you can enter the area. I thought they might want to check we had our rabies vaccine proof as well, but they didn’t ask for anything related to our terriers.

The ferry recommended taking your dog for a walk prior to getting on the ferry, so I was worried we would miss our chance once we drove into the lot. That concern was completely unnecessary as long as you arrive early like the Blackball Ferry company recommends.

Checking-in for the ferry

We pulled up to the window. The employee looked up our reservation in the system. We handed over our credit card to finalize the payment, and she directed us to a specific line where we should park our car while waiting to board. We had to fill out a little yellow card. It was focused on the humans not the canines.

Waiting to board the ferry

This was the perfect time to take our dogs for a last walk before boarding.

We could leave our car while it was sitting in line. We were given the time we needed to be back in the vehicle. Until then, we could get out and walk around, no problem.

The area is basically a giant paved lot, so it didn’t leave a lot of great space to walk the dogs. That was okay, though because you could leave the lot and go back out to the front sidewalk where there were a few trees and grass patches perfect for a last-minute sniff & pee.

Taking my dog on the Coho Ferry to British Colombia (BC)

Boarding the ferry to Victoria with dogs and/or cats

All the cars drove onto the ferry in the lanes and order we were in the parking lot.

Once inside the belly of the boat, all passengers were required to leave their vehicles. You are allowed to leave your pup inside the car for the crossing. Blackball recommends cracking the windows. Since it is inside without the sun beating on the car, it won’t heat up the way it does in a parking lot. The weather in this area is also fairly temperate. I did think the vehicle area was warmer than I would prefer for leaving a pet in the car but not so hot that it seemed like anything bad would happen.

Your furry friend can also join you above on the crossing. You have to decide which you prefer because you can’t return them to the car or retrieve them from the car mid-crossing unless it is an emergency.

Bringing a dog on the ferry

My pups have never ridden on a ferry before, and there are a lot of new experiences.

• The swaying of the boat makes it difficult to walk/maintain balance for humans and larger dogs
• The engine vibrations could really be felt underneath our feet
• Sounds of clanging, engines, ropes, and other people and dogs
• The other dogs on board the same boat are unfamiliar and while you can spread out, you may have to pass within a few feet inside or walking along the side of the deck

Think of places and experiences you can have with your dog before taking this trip to help them feel more comfortable and relaxed. Places like Lowes and Home Depot would have a lot of similar noises and chaos, so that’s a good place to practice. You could also ride elevators and walk on uneven surfaces on a playground.

We brought our carrier for our Norwich. Denver sees that as a safe space, so he was happy to be inside of it instead of walking around on deck with the big dogs.

Dogs can be inside in the seating area or outside on the deck. They are not allowed to sit at the table or go inside the store/cafe.

The views are beautiful, so enjoy the crossing.

Immigration in Victoria, Canada – Can I bring my dog to Canada?

The ferry will announce when it is time to get back in your vehicle. It takes quite a while for all the cars to have their turn to get off the ferry.

Once off the ferry, depending on where you are in line, you will have to wait in a car line for your turn to drive up to the Canadian immigration booth.

At the booth, they asked for our passports, our purpose for visiting, how long we were staying, and if we had weapons or drugs. The immigration officer did not seem to be interested in our 2 dogs at all, even when Denver barked at her.

We brought our proof of rabies vaccine with us, but the immigration officer did not ask to see it nor did anyone else on the journey.

I’ve learned of enough of other people’s experiences to understand this is common practice. However, you do not want to be in a situation where you are the 20% who is asked to see paperwork and you don’t have it!

The first stop in Canada – Bathroom break

After leaving the immigration booth, you pull out into downtown Victoria. There is nowhere to stop right outside the ferry terminal. However, if you keep going for another couple of blocks, there will be some places you can pull over with trees and grassy areas for a quick pitstop if your pups need it.

What can I do with my dog in Victoria?

Victoria, BC is one of the most dog friendly places we’ve ever been. Our dogs loved going on the stunning walks around Vancouver Island. This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about where to visit, eat and sleep.

Final Thoughts: Bringing a Dog on the Ferry From Port Angeles to Victoria

The Black Ball Coho Ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria in Canada can be a great option for those traveling with pets. The entire process was smooth and simple. Pets are welcome, and we had no problems with our crossing. Click here to see their schedule and fares.

I do recommend spending some time before your trip desensitizing your pet to some of the more intense sensory stimuli. If you do that ahead of time, you should have a pleasant journey.

There are tons of incredible places to walk with your dog in and around Victoria. See how many you can visit during your trip.