Given the choice I'd take a BC ferry over the Black Ball out of PA. Much better scenery and a smoother ride. Twice I've done a loop out of Horseshoe Bay, up the Sunshine Coast, across to Vancouver Island, and back to Horseshoe Bay. Tsawassen is certainly another option. The schedules you found do have listed changes but they should be accurate. The issues with the WSF boats are an aging fleet, lack of backup boats, and crew shortage. The first issue is the most difficult to solve and I'd guess given the systems internal issues, a state budget deficit, and "efficiency experts" taking over in DC, it will be a very long time, if ever, that service between Friday Harbor and Sydney is restored.

Thanks Bob, good advice.

Found your journal, thanks.

One alternative is to take the seasonal passenger ferry from Friday Harbor to Port Townsend. It drops you in Port Townsend in the early evening, where you're about a five-mile ride from Fort Townsend State Historical Park, which has camping. From there, it's around 40 miles to camping at Dungeness Recreation Area, which puts you less than 20 miles from the ferry to Port Angeles.

Thank you.

BC Ferries are very reliable.  The routes between Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) and Vancouver Island (to Swartz Bay near Victoria or to Duke Point south of Nanaimo) and between Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver Island (Departure Bay in Nanaimo) or the Sunshine Coast (Langdale) offer several sailings every day.  There are sailings from Tsawwassen and the Gulf Islands but they aren't as frequent and sometimes require reservations, even for foot passengers and cyclists.  Note that seniors (65+) travel free on BC Ferries Monday to Thursday.  Edit:  the free fare is for BC seniors only. Sorry!

We so appreciate your input and information. Thank you.

One more thing--if you are planning to ride between Tsawwassen/Ladner and Vancouver, you will want to bookmark this page.  It's not been updated yet for this year, but it will be.  I know the Andersons did it once (not really on purpose), but riding through the George Massey Tunnel is illegal.  The other option to get across the South Arm of the Fraser River is the Alex Fraser Bridge, but that's a big detour and not particularly pleasant.

Just an FYI that the ferry seniors’ rates, and also senior discounts at BC Parks are only for BC residents. Out of province folks pay full rates.  

Ah, yes. The BC part is well above the seniors’ fare information on the fare table.  I don’t think I’ve camped in a Provincial Park since before I hit the magic age.