Mobile Customs Boat
I live in Delta and cross customs regularly, Steveston is my last choice, too many un-necessaries. Steveston does have marine supply stores, shops, provisioning, everything you need. We have CanPass hence many options, I tried Vancouver harbour once but nobody was there, it was closed by the time I arrived so I just went ahead anyway, you have to arrive at Fisherman's dock during hours and it is just under the Burrard bridge a bit on the south side close to Granville Island and foot shopping, nice place. Another option is White Rock Pier, (east side) while there is no one there, you can use your cell phone to call border services (it s a designated port of entry) and they can send someone over if they can spare the staff from Peace Arch Border (it is only a couple minutes drive away). White Rock is a nice place to stop and visit, many shops, but a long walk down the pier and nobody to guard your boat so lock it up. I also cleared at Ganges harbour via Mobile Customs boat, Canada Customs has a boat that comes to you, they cleared me out in little marine park once and another time at Ganges. Ganges harbour has many shops and a big Thrifty's food market for provisioning, power, showers, everything, all within walking distance of the dinghy dock. I believe you can clear non-CanPass passengers if you are at a designated mobile customs stop,(need cell phone) but check with border services. You can always clear at Bedwell then go to Ganges. Vancouver Harbour would be my choice if I planned to stay a couple days, just be sure to arrive during hours and know ahead of time where that dock is, I had to search for it and I live here. South side of the inlet and a few hundred yards past the first bridge and gas station. Stop at the gas station for directions, it is close by. Oh yea, you only clear customs there, you still need to find a marina with visitors docking, best to get reservations ahead.
