VANCOUVER ISLAND - Vancouver and Victoria - page 281

winter. Other species present include great blue herons, bald eagles, Canada geese, loons,
cormorants,andblackoystercatchers.AccessissignpostedoffResthavenDrive2kilomet-
ers (1.2 miles) north of downtown Sidney.
Tours
Eco Cruising (250/655-5211, June-Sept.) runs two different tours. One departs daily at
1:30pm July through September from Sidney Pier (end of Beacon Avenue) and focuses on
harbor marinelife including seals and birds. The other is a continuation of a ferry service
used mainly by residents of Piers Island. Departing Tuesday and Friday at noon, it also
lasts 90 minutes, searching out seals and eagles around the islands north of Swartz Bay.
Departure point for this tour is Canoe Cove Marina, located just before the Swartz Bay
ferry terminal. Both tours cost an adult $43, a senior $33, and a child $23.
Sidney Whale Watching (2537 Beacon Ave., 250/656-7599 or 888/656-7599, March-
Nov.) also departs from Sidney Pier. Its three-hour whale-watching cruises depart three
times daily and cost $109 per person. For most people, orcas (killer whales) are the high-
light, and these can be seen throughout the summer months. Other whale species sighted
throughout the season include gray, minke, and humpback. The waters here are calmer
than those experienced from trips departing Victoria's Inner Harbour. This company also
has kayak tours and rentals.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Linked to town byan oceanfront walking path, The Cedarwood (9522Lochside Dr.,250/
656-5551 or 877/656-5551, www.thecedarwood.ca , $140-425 s or d) lies a short distance
south of downtown Sidney. Highlighted by an expansive landscaped garden filled outdoor
seating overlooking the Strait of Georgia, the regular motel rooms are clean and comfort-
able, but better deals are the multiroom suites and individually furnished cottages, some
with full kitchens.
Dominating the downtown waterfront is M Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (9805 Seaport
Place,250/655-9445or866/659-9445, www.sidneypier.com ,$185-425sord),asparkling
complex dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows on all seven floors. Standard rooms don't
have water views, but do come with king beds. The most expensive rooms are the Signa-
ture Pier Suites, all of which are on the higher floors and have gorgeous ocean views and
fullkitchens.Allroomsaredecoratedinslick,contemporarycolorschemesandhaveextra
comfortable beds. Amenities include a gift store, a café, a restaurant, a fitness center, spa
services, free airport shuttle, underground parking ($5 per day)