Busy long weekend (May 15 – May 20)

The Victoria Day long weekend will be a very popular time to travel so we are encouraging all customers to plan ahead.

To avoid sailing waits, booking in advance is strongly recommended. If you don't have a booking, consider walking on board - there's space for foot passengers on all sailings. For travel to and from Nanaimo, consider sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point.

If you plan to drive on board without a booking, check current conditions and travel on these off-peak days to avoid sailing waits:

  • Wed, May 14
  • Sat, May 17
  • Tue, May 20
We’re ready to connect you with the people and places you love. Our goal is to get you to your destination safely and on time. We’ve put together tips and resources to help you on your way. See you on board soon.

Top 10 travel tips

1 Book in advance when possible
Make a reservation on bookable routes to avoid sailing waits, especially during busy travel periods like long weekends.
2 Check current conditions
If bookings are sold out, check current conditions and travel at less busy times.
3 Take advantage of Saver Fares
Save when you travel at off-peak times with fares starting at $49 for a standard vehicle and driver.
4 Consider walking on board
Walking on board is a great option to avoid sailing waits, book in advance on our most popular routes.
5Plan your arrival time
If you have a booking, check in 45–60 minutes before departure. Let the ticket agent know if you booked in advance and have your booking number ready.

Find check-in windows for bookable routes below:
 
6 Stay cool, stay hydrated
Bring sun protection and water for you and your pets. Cool down on outer ferry decks and enjoy the AC and water stations at staffed terminals.
 
7 Check parking lot capacity
Terminal lots can fill quickly, check lot capacities on your day of travel. Public transit, ridesharing, or being dropped off are great alternatives if they work for you.
 
8 Consider routes to and from Nanaimo
If Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay (Nanaimo) sailings are full, consider travel via Tsawwassen–Duke Point (Nanaimo).
9 Help us accommodate more passengers
Park close to the vehicle in front of you and follow crew directions to help us fit more passengers.
10 Disarm your car alarm
As a courtesy to our crew, passengers and especially pets, please consider disarming your vehicle’s alarm for the duration of your sailing. Check your owner's manual to do so.
 

Travel with respect

Travel with respect for our staff and your fellow passengers.

Abusive conduct or comments will not be tolerated and will result in denial of service.
Travel policies 
BC Ferries terminal employee smiling with vehicles in the background
BCFERRIES.COM

Travelling with pets

Dogs on leashes and cats in carriers have access to new outdoor, upper deck pet areas on 13 vessels. Most vessels also have indoor pet areas. Water, waste bags and waste bins are available for all four-legged passengers.

BCFERRIES.COM

Accessibility 

To ensure a safe and comfortable sailing for all passengers, we provide a variety of accessibility options.

BC GOVERNMENT

Fire safety this summer

Check all bans and restrictions for the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky, Vancouver Island, Central Coast and Haida Gwaii.

BCFERRIES.COM

Tent and RV camping

Ensure your dangerous goods are properly packed and within travel limitations. Declare any dangerous goods at the terminal, including Coleman's fuel, propane and gasoline.

Simplify your trip planning with the BC Ferries app. Check schedules and current conditions, book sailings and manage your trips. Download the app today on the Google Play or App Store.


Travel tips by region

South Coast
Routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island 
Lower vehicle decks

Passengers in vehicles on enclosed lower vehicle decks must leave their vehicles during the sailing to comply with Transport Canada’s safety regulation.

 

Parking

Parking lots fill up quickly, especially on holiday weekends. Check parking percentage availability at major south coast terminals with current conditions.

 

BC Ferries Connector

The BC Ferries Connector bus operates between the downtown Vancouver bus terminal (Pacific Central Station) to the downtown Victoria terminal (Capital City Station). View schedule.

Bowen Island
Travel between Metro Vancouver and Bowen Island
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Bowen Island (Snug Cove)
 
Before you travel
 
Approaching the ticket booth
  • Bowen Island bound customers uses ticket booth 8 in the far right lane
  • Digital signs will direct you to the booth. Traffic control will guide you during peak times.
  • Advise the traffic controller of your destination
  • If there is a line-up, please stay in your lane. Vehicles are ticketed based on order of arrival
  • Ticket sales and check in closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time
  • Signs above the ticket booth will provide status updates:
    • SALES HELD – ticket sales will resume shortly
    • POSSIBLE WAIT – the next sailing is near capacity
  • You do not have to pay to return from Bowen Island
 
In the terminal
  • You will be directed to drive down lane 1
  • Stop at the bottom of lane 1 where a terminal attendant will direct you to your lane
  • If vehicle traffic is backed up in lane 1, we are boarding a sailing to Nanaimo. Stay in your vehicle and you will be directed to move after the Nanaimo boarding is complete
  • Drive slowly and follow the direction of Terminal Attendants
  • Note: The lane number on the ticket reads 69, you will be directed to lanes 6570
 
Loading
  • Ensure you are with your vehicle when the ferry arrives
  • Wait to be directed to board the ferry by a BC Ferries Terminal Attendant
  • When you drive onboard, follow the direction of our deck crew and park within 60 cm (24 inches) of the vehicle in front of you so we can maximize space on board


 
Bowen Island (Snug Cove) to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)
 
Before you travel
 
Ferry instructions for vehicles
  • Do not park in the ferry line-up unless you are waiting to board the next sailing.
  • There is no toll booth. The fare you purchased in Horseshoe Bay includes the return trip.
  • Enter the ferry line behind the last vehicle in the line, or in the first open space closest to the ferry.
  • Do not leave a gap. Park within two feet (or 0.6 metres) of the vehicle in front of you. If there’s a cross-hatched area behind the next vehicle, pull right up to the edge of the cross-hatched area.
  • Do not stop or park any portion of your vehicle on the cross-hatched areas.
  • In the two-lane area of the ferry line, enter the shorter lane. When vehicles start loading, signage will indicate to merge like a zipper at the point where it narrows to one lane.
  • Do not stop or park beyond the “End of Ferry Line Up” sign. If the lanes are full you will not get on the ferry. Come back for the next sailing.
  • Be in your vehicle at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure of the ferry.
  • Drive safe. Speed limits are enforced by the RCMP.
  • Motorcycles: will be loaded and unloaded before cars. Go right to the front of the line.
  • Cyclists: load and unload with foot passengers. Walk your bike across the ramp.
 
Ferry instructions for foot passengers
  • There is no toll booth. The fare you purchased in Horseshoe Bay includes the return trip!
  • Arrive at the waiting area at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
  • Wait for ferry traffic to load or unload before crossing the street including crosswalks.
  • Do not walk on the road after you cross the ramp. Move to the sidewalks so that vehicles can unload.
  • View information on Bowen Island loading and transit.
Gulf Islands
Southern and Northern Gulf Islands routes
Vehicle and foot passenger bookings

You can book vehicle and foot passenger travel in advance from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to:

  • Pender Island (Otter Bay)
  • Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay)
  • Mayne Island (Village Bay)
  • Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour)
  • Salt Spring Island (Long Harbour)

Note: Sailings departing from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) provide service to Swartz Bay (Victoria), Duke Point (Nanaimo) and the Southern Gulf Islands.

 

Thru fares

Thru fares provide more sailing options for customers travelling to the Southern Gulf Islands. With a thru fare, you can travel between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and the Southern Gulf Islands via a connection at Victoria (Swartz Bay) for the same price. This is a good option when direct sailings are sold out. Learn more about thru fares.

 

Terminals without ticket agents

When you arrive at the terminal, follow signage and park in the first available vehicle lane. Some lanes at terminals are designated based on your vehicle type. You will be loaded on the next available sailing based on space on board.

 

Travel safely through coastal communities

Help us keep the communities we serve safe. Obey speed limits, watch for pedestrians and cyclists and maintain a safe distance. During popular times to travel there may be vehicles queuing on roads approaching terminals.

If you need to exit your vehicle, watch for oncoming traffic and cyclists. Please care for the community you’re in by leaving space around driveways, disposing of litter and respecting private property.

 

Waitlists

If bookings are sold out for sailings to the Gulf Islands you can add yourself to a waitlist online. If we can confirm your booking prior to departure, we will contact you with the details. If we have not confirmed your booking within 24 hours of the scheduled departure, consider travelling via a thru fare that connects through Victoria (Swartz Bay).

To add yourself to a waitlist, select the Gulf Islands route and dates you want to travel, enter your passenger information, select "Add yourself to waitlist" under the list of sailings, then complete the waitlist form.

Learn more about waitlists.

Sunshine Coast
Routes between Metro Vancouver/Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast
Book in advance

Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale) is one of our busiest routes. We strongly recommend booking in advance. If bookings are sold out, we recommend travelling during less busy days and times. These include:

  • Mid-week days

  • Early morning or late evening sailings
     


Seamless travel tips

Find more travel information for routes between Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, and Texada Island here

 

Arriving at Horseshoe Bay in a vehicle

During busy travel times, look out for traffic flaggers as you approach the ticket booths at Horseshoe Bay. Let our staff know if you have a booking and they will direct you to the correct lane. Once at the terminal, listen to announcements and follow the direction of our staff who will guide you during boarding.

 

Arriving at Horseshoe Bay as a foot passenger

TransLink offers service between Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay via the 257 Horseshoe Bay Express or 250 Horseshoe Bay routes. Self-serve kiosks are available at the entrance to the departures building to purchase or your ticket or redeem your booking. Cyclists should buy their tickets at the foot passenger ticket office.

During peak travel times the pre-ticketing area can be busy, so arrive expecting a wait. Washrooms facilities are available but long lines can form quickly. Public washrooms are also available at Horseshoe Bay park from 7am to 10pm, a two-minute walk away.

 

Access to the village at Horseshoe Bay

If you arrive at Horseshoe Bay terminal with enough time to spare, you can leave your vehicle in your parking lane and walk into the village. Just remember to wait until your vehicle has been directed to its assigned lane and take your ticket with you.

 

Staying in your vehicle during the sailing

Passengers travelling between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale) can stay in their vehicle for the duration of the sailing regardless of which deck they're on.

 

Travel assistance

Inform the ticket agent when you arrive at the ticket booth if you are travelling with a Travel Assistance Program (TAP) form, or if you have accessibility requirements like a wheelchair or mobility aid access.

View details on Medical Assured Loading (MAL)
Learn more about accessibility options

 
Travel to the upper Sunshine Coast

The distance from Langdale terminal to Earls Cove terminal is approximately 90 minutes driving time and the duration of the sailing from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay is 50 minutes.
From Saltery Bay, it’s about a 25 minute drive to Powell River and Westview terminal with service to Comox and Texada Island.
View transit options available from your departure and arrival terminal

Central and North Coast
Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Haida Gwaii, Klemtu, Ocean Falls, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert and Shearwater
Book in advance

Our Central and North Coast routes are busiest during the spring and summer months. We strongly recommend you book in advance on these routes during those seasons.

 

Arrive prepared

If you have a booking, arrive at the terminal 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

 

Cabins and reserved seating

You can book cabins or seats on board the Northern Expedition and cabins on board the Northern Adventure when you book online or over the phone. If cabins are sold out, you can add yourself to a waitlist.

 

Waitlists

If sailings, cabins or amenities you try to book are sold out, you can request to be added to the waitlist and we will contact you if space becomes available.

To request to be added to a waitlist, select the Northern route and dates you want to travel, enter your passenger information, select "Add yourself to waitlist" under the list of sailings, then complete the waitlist form. You can also request to be added to a waitlist after you complete your Northern booking online.

If you are still on the waitlist on the day you want to travel, we recommend you try arriving at the terminal a minimum of three hours prior to the scheduled departure time. If customers with confirmed spots don’t arrive for the sailing, we fill their spots with waitlisted customers.

Learn more about waitlists.

 

Wi-Fi

There is no Wi-Fi onboard BC Ferries vessels and due to the region there may be limited cellular coverage, so plan with this in mind. We are currently working on expanding free Wi-Fi to select terminals along the Central and North Coast.

Inside Passage: Sailings between Port Hardy – Prince Rupert
 

Haida Gwaii: Sailings between Prince Rupert – Skidegate
 
PDF 585 KB | 4 pages

Central Coast: Sailings between Port Hardy – Bella Coola
 

We're ready to welcome you on board

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