Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is the non-profit society established to manage Victoria’s Harbour. The society was founded on February 8, 2002, through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC), the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, the City of Victoria, the Township of Esquimalt, and the Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour Society.

In 2004 the Authority embarked on its first major project, an upgrade of the middle harbour’s Fisherman’s Wharf. The project included the construction of new washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities for the wharf’s fishing boat crews, transient vessels, and float homes. Major improvements were also made to the space between Fisherman’s Wharf and the adjoining Shoal Point development to ensure unimpeded pedestrian access to all commercial spaces.

The GVHA achieved financial sustainability more quickly than it anticipated, in part because of the Authoritiy’s nurturing the growth of cruise operations at Ogden Point. King Brothers Limited has built a strong relationship with the major cruise lines, strengthening Victoria’s cruise ship tourist industry. Victoria’s harbour is now ranked the second busiest cruise port in Canada.

The GVHA operates several docks and marinas in the harbour including:
•    Ogden Point cruise ship terminal and break bulk cargo docks in the Outer Harbour. Vessels up to 300 m (980 ft) can be accommodated.
•    Fisherman’s Wharf, a long-term fishing vessel and fuel dock in the Middle Harbour with no transient docking.
•    The Causeway Floats in the Inner Harbour, which can handle vessels up to 75 m (246 ft).
•    Ship Point, which accommodates vessels up to 75 m (246 ft) and is often used for floatplanes.
•    The Wharf Street Marina in the Inner Harbour, which provides transient mooring.
•    Mermaid’s Wharf Marina in the Inner Harbour, which provides transient mooring.
•    Johnson Street Floats in the Inner Harbour, which provides transient mooring.