Issued on: July 31, 2023

   BC Day Long Weekend, Aug 3 – Aug 8, 2023

BC Day long weekend is one of the most popular times of the year for travel on the coast. This year, from Thursday to Tuesday, we expect to welcome over 580,000 passengers and 210,000 vehicles on board.

BC Ferries is introducing a virtual waiting room for online bookings that will help our website perform at its best when an extremely high number of customers are making bookings on the website and app. Customers will be placed in a first-in, first-out waiting room only when website traffic volumes are above normal. This will allow for a seamless customer experience, with displayed wait times that will help us deliver on our busiest days.

Busy travel days are expected from Thursday, August 3 through Tuesday, August 8 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 times to travel from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are Thursday and Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning, from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. Monday and Tuesday morning are typically the most popular times for travel back to the Lower Mainland.

Customers planning to drive on board without a booking should be prepared for sailing waits during popular times to travel. If bookings 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.

This summer, three ferries are providing service between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Nanaimo (Duke Point). If sailings are sold out between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, consider travelling between Tsawwassen and Duke Point where more space is available.

BC Day Long Weekend Travel Tips:

• Travel off peak or walk on board – Customers driving on board without a booking may experience sailing waits during peak travel times. Consider travel as a foot passenger or during less busy times of the day to avoid sailing waits. Foot passenger bookings are available on most sailings between the Mainland and Vancouver Island this long weekend. Vehicle deck space fills up quickly. If your plans are flexible, consider carpooling or take public transit.
• Parking – Parking lots fill up quickly on long weekends. Public transit, ride-sharing or drop-offs are good options if they work for you. For schedule information visit TransLink,  BC Transit or BC Ferries Connector Service.
• Arrive Early - Customers with bookings should plan to arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before their sailing. Have your booking number ready at the ticket booth and tap to pay for a quick check in.
• Car Alarms - Please consider disarming your car alarm for the benefit of other passengers, their pets and our crew. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do so.
• Assured Loading Tickets (ALT) and Experience™ Card– To avoid delays at the terminal, load your ALT and Experience™ Card in advance of travel on bcferries.com
• Prepare for warm weather – pack sun protection and water for you and your pets. Tents and misting stations are in place for customers to cool down at major terminals, as well as many minor staffed terminals. Vessels and staffed terminals have AC and refillable water stations.

Thank you to our staff and crew who continue to be the heart of BC Ferries. Their hard work and dedication is what keeps BC’s coast safe and moving.

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

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