Travel advisory: Busy Weekend Expected View ×

Issued on: Friday, April 18, 2025

Easter Long Weekend
April 18 – April 21, 2025

Easter long weekend is a popular time for travel on the coast. Busy travel days are expected from Friday, April 18 through Monday, April 21 on the following routes:


•    Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
•    Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands
•    Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
•    Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
•    Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale)
•    Vancouver Island - Gulf Islands

Historically, the most popular day to travel from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast is Friday, from our Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. Monday is typically the most popular day for travel back to the Lower Mainland.

Customers planning to travel with a vehicle without a reservation should be prepared for sailing waits during popular times to travel. If reservations are sold out, the best option to avoid sailing waits is to travel during less busy times, typically mid-week days and early morning or late evening sailings, or walk on board.

Click here to view Travel Tips and here for Service Notices.

We look forward to welcoming you on board this Easter Long Weekend.

For schedule information and bookings, visit bcferries.com. For up-to-date travel information, check Current Conditions and follow @BCFerries on Twitter.

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For Immediate Release
23-013
May 30, 2023

SAFER SERVICE WITH MORE OPTIONS TO BOOK AND SAVE


VICTORIA – BC Ferries is making changes on Metro Vancouver – Nanaimo routes this summer to reduce traffic challenges at Horseshoe Bay and provide more departure times for customers.

From June 25 to September 4, a vessel will be re-assigned from the Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) – Departure Bay (Nanaimo) route to the Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Duke Point (Nanaimo) route, where there is more space to safely and efficiently handle traffic. More sailings are also being made available for customers travelling between Tsawwassen and Duke Point with service increasing from two to three vessels.

To encourage customers to use the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route, starting July 5 BC Ferries will offer more Saver fares starting at $39 for standard vehicle and driver. In addition, reservation space is being increased, making the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route the better way to travel to Nanaimo. Promotions for overheight vehicles as well as a 33 per cent discount for commercial vehicles at select times will also be offered on this route to help divert traffic from the constrained Horseshoe Bay terminal, where traffic can unsafely back onto Highway 99.

Two vessels will continue to provide service between Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay. Booking in advance is strongly recommended on this route. If sailings are sold out between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, travel between Tsawwassen and Duke Point is recommended to reduce the likelihood of experiencing sailing waits.

For the most up-to-date sailing and departure information, and discount promotions, visit bcferries.com.

 
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Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)

Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our off-hours line at (250) 516-7211.
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