Company History

May 25, 2007: For Immediate Release, Nanaimo, BC:

The Nanaimo Harbour Ferry company is a division of the Victoria Harbour Ferry Company which has been in operation for more than 17 years and has been declared Victoria’s #1 tourist attraction.

The first ferry, built in Victoria, hit that harbour in time for the tourist season of 1990 and was an immediate hit. Visitors and locals were thrilled with the opportunity to see Victoria from the water without having to own or rent a boat of their own. Since that time, the company has continued to grow adding boats and passengers every year. To date the Victoria Harbour Ferry fleet numbers 13 boats that have carried more than 2 million passengers on a variety of routes including the Gorge, Inner Harbour and Sunset Tours as well hops between stops and charters.

The company owners continue to look for opportunities to expand and the Vice-President-Operations, Barry Hobbis, had been considering possibilities when he received a call from the Nanaimo Economic Development Office.

“It was perfect timing, we had the boats and the staff capable of carrying the company forward and the Nanaimo Harbour had a need for our services,” Hobbis relates. “I’m aware that there have been some challenges in operating a viable service here in the past and we don’t take that lightly however, we honestly believe that, with our record of success and the unique qualities of our boats, the Harbour Ferry Company will soon be the #1 tourist attraction in Nanaimo as it is in Victoria.”

In addition to shuttle service to Newcastle Island, The Nanaimo Harbour Ferries will offer tours of the harbour, beginning with a tour of the Newcastle Strait. Further tours will be added as the company becomes established.

Shuttle and tour services will be offered from April through October with extended operation hours from May through August.

For schedules, fares and information visit www.nanaimoharbourferry.com or call 1-877-297-8526.