I'm playing a soccer tourney in Victoria the first week of June. I'm considering launching my boat at Washington Park and boating to Victoria. I've never done that crossing so was looking for some advice. I know it all depends on the weather, and sounds more enjoyable than taking the ferry.

What's s the crossing like? Any suggestions?

21' Grady. Plenty of fuel on board.

No problem in your boat. I've done it in mine which is very similar to yours. If it get's super snotty you just have to go slower.
Remember to time your put in and take out at Washington Park so you don't hit shallow water.
If you have time ling fish either on the way there or the way home.

I'm guessing a South wind wouldn't be the best conditions. Also looks like a Northerly could funnel down Haro Strait making things a bit bumpy.

You said it, it all depends on the weather in lower Haro Strait. You could follow the ferry route to Friday Harbor then run over from Cattle pass.....it would be a bit longer but might be a smoother run for half the distance.

You'll have to check in at the customs dock in Victoria

What's that like? Pretty quick? Organized? Or a complete circle jerk like some other places?

Make sure you radio ahead to customs before you set one foot on shore. There's usually a sign displaying what VHF channel or Phone # to call at the transient moorage.

I've heard horror stories of what's happened to people that didn't call in before they put ashore.

I'd radio the Harbor master before I tied up if I didnt see a customs Freq #.

The Haro Strait's can get some of the nastiest weather anywhere on earth. Pay close attention to the weather reports and expect the worse. I have had some pretty hairy situations with fog and wind up there.

Customs is a breeze in Victoria. Pull straight into the harbor and head directly towards the empress hotel. You will see the customs dock straight in front of you. Tie off, walk 10 feet up the dock to the phone and lift it up. Its a direct line to the customs ofice. they will ask you a few questions, have your paperwork and boat registrations stuff in your hand. You will also want to have the paperwork for anyone with you. They will either clear you right then and there, or tell you to wait and a customs agent will walk over. Even if they walk over, its less than 15 minutes if your paperwork is in order. From there you call the quartermaster (huge sign with channel number right in front of you) and tell them you'd like day moorage. I usually ask for a spot right there to the left of the customs dock, I cant remember which letter ( "C" maybe?) it is but you can see it from the customs dock. It has always been free, but you never know. You'll want to take a paper and write down the electronic code to get back on the dock before you head into victoria. You will be right in the middle of town, and can easily catch a cab to where ever you want.

I usually do it a couple times a year without problem.

Unless you are in a hurry look into getting a Canadian one day fishing license, you might bring dinner home. I'd compare the fuel cost of running the boat over versus taking the ferry.

One nice thing about taking your own boat is being able to set your own time table. I can come and go as I want rather than when the ferry schedule says I have to. Its one of my favorite boat trips each year.

I have made the trip probably 15 times in the last four years and have never had a time where we could not make it safely. (from Bellingham to Oak Bay and Sooke in a 23 foot trophy) How do you plan on clearing Customs coming back to the U.S. ? Pretty sure that you are required to have an I-68 form to clear customs on a boat now. If you don't have an I-68 form they are easy to get and makes it really easy to clear U.S. customs by cell phone.

I've been into Victoria several times also. It's as easy as has been posted above. Up in BC Government docks are sometimes red.There's three choices of moorage. The dock in front of the Empress, has dock walking touristas that are curious about your boat. The dock that was mentioned in a prior post to the left of the customs dock is more of a working/locals dock, which is quieter. That's where moored until we were shown a Government dock right next to the Johnston Street Bridge farther inside the channel. It's small but we tied up a 27 ft. sailboat in the shore side. Little foot traffic and close to Swan's pub with hand pumped beer.

If it's rough when crossing Washington Park, Oak Bay is on the San Juan side of the peninsula that Victoria is on. It's a bit tricky so watch your depth finder and chart but the headland blocks the waves from Straits of Juan de Fuca if it's too snotty. There was a phone to customs near the fuel dock but I haven't been up there for a few years. We tied up there and road our bikes to downtown Vic. It's close to Beacon Hill Park where some soccer fields are and Oak Bay has a few spots worth checking out for food and libations.