Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Busy weekend expected
BC Day long weekend is the busiest weekend of the year for ferry travel on the coast. Our major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are expected to be at or near capacity for vehicles during peak times.
Be prepared for sailing waits if a booking has not been made in advance of travel. Depending on when you arrive, there may be limited or no space available for drive-up vehicles. Check Current Conditions before leaving for the terminal for the latest sailing and capacity information, and check Service Notices for operational updates.
If your plans are flexible, consider taking transit and travel as a foot passenger. Walk-on bookings are available on our major routes at no additional cost and are recommended to help secure your preferred sailing. BC Day long weekend travel tips can be found here.
Important travel information
Buses travelling from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
For sailings starting October 15, 2025
Check in with the ticket agent 120 to 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure
What you need to redeem your booking
When you arrive at the terminal, provide the ticket agent with your booking reference number or the phone number on your booking. You will need government-approved photo ID for proof of age as applicable (e.g. BC Seniors).
Bookings will not be honoured if you:
- arrive after the booking check-in has closed, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure;
- arrive before the booking check-in has opened, more than 120 minutes* prior to the scheduled departure.
* The first sailing of the day between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay opens 60 minutes before departure.
Tour operators are required to present ferry travel vouchers for all tour members.
Vehicle type and size
Your booking will only be honoured for the vehicle type and size you booked.
If your booked vehicle height differs at check-in, your booking will not be honoured. If your booked vehicle length differs by more than 5 feet (1.5 metres) at check-in, your booking will not be honoured. To make changes to your booking, access your BC Ferries account online.
Change fees
- Prepaid and Saver: Change booked sailing time and/or date for $5 (plus any difference in price, if applicable) up to one hour before booked sailing.
Note: Booking fees and change fees are non-refundable.
Cancelling your booking
Booking cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions of the fare purchased and applicable fees.
- Prepaid: $5 cancellation fee up to 11:59 pm the day before departure; $15 cancellation fee on day of departure, up to one hour before booked sailing. Unredeemed bookings will be automatically refunded less a $20 fee.
- Saver: $5 cancellation fee four days or more before departure; $20 cancellation fee three days or less, up to one hour before booked sailing. Unredeemed bookings will be automatically refunded less a $30 fee.
Check BC Ferries’ Cancellation/Change policies below for details.
Sailing cancellations
If you check-in at the terminal and the sailing is then cancelled, we will make every effort to load you on the next available sailing where space is available, however, customers with a booking on the next scheduled departure will be loaded in advance of customers from the cancelled sailing. If we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, your fares will be automatically refunded in full and you will be asked to depart the terminal.
If you choose not to travel after the sailing is cancelled, return to the ticket booth to check out of the terminal. Your fares and any booking fees will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment after you check out. Any changes made to your booking at the terminal will also be automatically refunded, with the exception of cash or cash equivalent transactions, which need to be processed by a ticket agent at the terminal. View more information about sailing cancellations.
If your sailing is cancelled and you have a return booking you will no longer be able to use, call 1-888-BC FERRY (223-3779). We will cancel your booking and refund your fares and booking fees.
Conditions of Carriage/Rules & Requirements
By purchasing a booking, you acknowledge your acceptance of BC Ferries’ Conditions of Carriage and Rules & Requirements (available upon request at any terminal, any ferry, or at BC Ferries’ head office).
The non-authorized resale of a BC Ferries booking is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries.
Health and safety
To support the health and wellness of our customers and employees, all BC Ferries vessels and terminals are smoke and vape-free environments. BC Ferries has a zero tolerance policy for passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol and any unacceptable conduct that can be associated with impairment. The consumption of drugs and alcohol on BC Ferries’ vessels and at its terminals is prohibited. We all deserve to feel safe and respected—violence and foul language will not be tolerated and may result in denial of service
Booking change and cancellation
Changes accepted at terminal on day of departure:
- Arrived early: groups arriving in time for an earlier sailing, on the date they booked to travel, lose their booking but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
- Arrived after booking cut off (as specified on the booking confirmation document): booking lost, group will travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
- Arrived late: booking lost, groups who arrive after the sailing has closed for loading, but on the day they booked for travel lose their booking but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal. Will incur a $25 no-show fee.
- Add or remove ≤5 ft.: booking maintained.
- Add or remove > 5 ft.: booking will not be honoured, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
- Attempt to check in without a bus: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival.