BC Ferries – Travel Tips for Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands

Reservations & The New System

BC Ferries Website

BC Ferries now uses an updated reservation system on most major routes (Tsawwassen ↔ Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay ↔ Nanaimo, etc.).

• Reservations are mandatory from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) as of October 2025. For this route only.

• Reservations are highly recommended in spring, summer, long weekends, and holidays

• Some sailings are marked as “Selected Sailings” and offer discounted fares

• Even with a reservation, you must arrive on time, or you may lose your spot

Gulf Island Routes (Denman, Hornby, Quadra, Texada, etc.)

• No reservations

• First-come, first-served only

• Short sailing times, frequent sailings

• Built to allow easy same-day travel back to Vancouver Island

  BC Ferries Experience Card (Money Saver)

  • Highly recommended if you plan to take multiple ferries.

    • Load $110 or more

    • Receive one free passenger vehicle trip

    • Card balance can be reused across trips

    • Works best for island hopping and longer road trips

    💡 Pro tip: This often covers one entire sailing for free, depending on the route

    When to Arrive at the Terminal

    With a reservation:

    • Arrive 30–45 minutes early

    • Late arrival can cancel your reservation

    Without a reservation (or Gulf Islands):

    • Show up 1–2 sailings early during busy seasons

    • Early morning and late evening sailings are usually quiet

Terminal Amenities

Most major terminals offer:

• Washrooms

• Cafés or food kiosks

• Seating areas

• Gift shops

• EV charging (select terminals)

Smaller Gulf Island terminals may have limited or no services, so plan accordingly.

Onboard Amenities

Amenities vary by vessel and route but may include:

• Washrooms

• Cafeteria or snack bar

• Indoor seating

• Outdoor decks

• Kids' play areas (larger vessels)

• Accessibility seating

Some smaller ferries have very limited seating, so be prepared to stay in your vehicle.

Traveling With Pets

• Pets must remain in your vehicle during the sailing

• Do a walk, water, and bathroom break before boarding

• On long sailings, inform staff if you need to access your pet

• Never leave pets unattended in hot weather

Typical Sailing Times (approx.)

• Buckley Bay ↔ Denman: 10 min

• Denman ↔ Hornby: 10 min

• Campbell River ↔ Quadra: 10 min

• Tsawwassen ↔ Swartz Bay: 1 hr 35 min

• Horseshoe Bay ↔ Nanaimo: 1 hr 40 min

• Port Hardy ↔ Prince Rupert: Overnight sailing

Local Tips

• Weather can delay sailings—especially wind and fog

• Logging traffic may affect arrival times to rural terminals

• Always fuel up before island hopping

• Have a backup plan during peak season

BC Ferries is part of the adventure on Vancouver Island. Slow down, enjoy the views, and plan with flexibility—especially when traveling the Gulf Islands and remote routes.

BC FERRIES FARE LIST (2026 Approximate)

Major Vancouver ↔ Vancouver Island Routes (bookable online)

These involve reservations and flexible pricing options.
Saver Fares (selected sailings)

• Vehicle + driver one-way: $49–$89

• Add passengers: $15 each (when booked with vehicle Saver)
  Saver fares are cheaper but limited to select sailings and must be booked online in advance.

Prepaid Fare (all sailings)

• Vehicle + driver one-way: around $105
  Prepaid is available on most sailings and gives stable pricing.

Standard Fare (drive-up at terminal)

• Vehicle + driver (no booking): around $95+
  Drive-up fares are often higher and can vary by route/season. BC Ferries

Booking gives you lower prices, more sailings to choose from, and flexibility to cancel or change within BC Ferries’ policy windows.

Smaller Island & Inter-Island Routes

These typically run ferry boats without reservation systems — first-come, first-served. Typical prices are low and are often inexpensive for short crossings.

Buckley Bay ↔ Denman Island

• Adult (12+): ~$8–$12 one-way

• Children (5–11): ~$4–$6

• Vehicle (up to 20 ft): ~$21–$26 one-way
  (Experience Card can reduce these rates)

Denman Island ↔ Hornby Island

• Adult (12+): ~$8.90–$12.90 one-way

• Vehicle (up to 20 ft): ~$20.65–$20.65 one-way
  (Experience Card can reduce both passenger & vehicle fares)

Campbell River ↔ Quadra Island

• Adult: roughly $9–$13 one way

• Vehicle (up to 20 ft): ~$21–$26 one way
  (Experience Card applies)

Other small routes — like Port McNeill → Sointula/Alert Bay — have similar low regional ferry fares, usually under $30 one-way for a vehicle and driver with low extra fees