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Route

Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)  to  Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)

View return schedule

 This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.   
Service notices
DEPART ARRIVE DURATION
6:55 am 7:20 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
7:35 am 8:00 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
8:10 am 8:35 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
8:45 am 9:10 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:20 am 9:45 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:55 am 10:20 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
10:30 am 10:55 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
11:05 am 11:30 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
11:40 am 12:05 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
12:55 pm 1:20 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
1:30 pm 1:55 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
2:15 pm 2:40 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
2:50 pm 3:15 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
3:25 pm 3:50 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
4:00 pm 4:25 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
4:35 pm 5:00 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
5:05 pm 5:30 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
6:15 pm 6:40 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
7:30 pm 7:55 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:10 pm 9:35 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
10:05 pm 10:25 pm 0h 20m
  • Non-stop
11:00 pm 11:25 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop


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View seasonal schedules

Nanaimo Harbour terminal is located in downtown Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Sailings departing from Nanaimo Harbour terminal provide service to Gabriola Island.

Boarding is based on order of arrival at the terminal. Check-in and ticket sales close three minutes prior to the scheduled sailing for foot passengers and vehicles.

Nanaimo Harbour Tidal Restrictions
The following tidal restrictions are in effect to prevent vehicles from scraping or getting caught on the loading ramps.

Private vehicles 
Avoid travel on sailings where the tide* is below 1.5m (5ft) or above 3.7m (12ft)

Includes: 

  • RVs- significant overhang or low hitches 
  • Receiver Mount Bicycle Racks 
  • Low/Long Utility Trailers 
  • Low/Long Horse Trailers 
  • Large Under Mount Hitches 

Commercial vehicles
Long loads: avoid travel on sailings where the tide* is below 1.5 m (5ft) or above 3.7 m (12ft)
Low-bed or low-overhang: avoid travel on sailings if the tide* is below 2.1 m (7ft) or above 3.4 m (11ft)

*For tide information see: https://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/en/stations/7917 



Dangerous goods sailings information

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice.

 This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.   
Service notices
Current Conditions
Departures and arrivals
Calculate fare

Route

Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)  to  Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)

View return schedule

 This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.   
Service notices
DEPART ARRIVE DURATION
6:20 am 6:45 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
7:35 am 8:00 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
8:10 am 8:35 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
8:45 am 9:10 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:20 am 9:45 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:55 am 10:20 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
10:30 am 10:55 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
11:05 am 11:30 am 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
11:40 am 12:05 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
12:55 pm 1:20 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
1:30 pm 1:55 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
2:15 pm 2:40 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
2:50 pm 3:15 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
3:25 pm 3:50 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
4:00 pm 4:25 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
4:35 pm 5:00 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
5:05 pm 5:30 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
5:40 pm 6:05 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
6:50 pm 7:15 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
8:00 pm 8:25 pm 0h 25m
  • Non-stop
9:40 pm 10:00 pm 0h 20m
  • Non-stop
10:30 pm 10:50 pm 0h 20m
  • Non-stop


Print

View seasonal schedules

Descanso Bay terminal is located on the northwest side of Gabriola Island. Sailings departing from Descanso Bay provide service to Nanaimo Harbour on Vancouver Island.

Boarding is based on order of arrival at the terminal. Check-in closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing for foot passengers and vehicles.



Dangerous goods sailings information

Note: Schedules subject to change without notice.

 This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.   
Service notices
Current Conditions
Departures and arrivals
Calculate fare
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Travel Tips

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