As part of the new SeaVancouver festival ("it's Sea-Fest without the drunken rioting!"), the Tall Ships have returned.

What more need be said? You either like big wooden sailboats, or you don't. I do. Actually, the whole SeaVancouver festival seems interesting, and runs July 6-10 in and around False Creek, Kits beach, et cetera.

Back to the tall ships specifically: the vessels arrive in English Bay between 12:30 and 3:30 on Thursday, July 7. If I read the website correctly, the ships will mostly be docked to a temporary mid-bay moorage they're calling Tall Ship Island, which sounds kind of neat. I'm thinking it will be like the village in Waterworld, only good.

Pricing: Note that SeaVancouver will sell you a $15, all-days General Admission wristband, but this won't actually get you onto Tall Ship Island or get you boarding privileges. For that you need the Tall Ship Wristband, which is $20 for one day, or $30 for all days. General admission to the rest of SeaVan is included in that price. Senior/student discount pricing may or may not be still available; it's listed as an "early bird" option.