BC Ferries operates a fleet of 40 ferries on 26 different coastal routes,
serving 42 ports. These ferries are run by the Province of British Columbia as extension of the provincial highway
network. The crossing between Vancouver Island and the Mainland typically takes 90 to
120 minutes. Trips between Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast are are around
30 minutes.
BC Ferries between Mainland and Vancouver Island
From Vancouver, there are two key ferry terminals: Tsawwassen (38 km south of
Vancouver) and Horseshoe Bay (west end of Highway 1 via West Vancouver). From
Tsawwassen, you can connect to Swartz Bay (for Victoria), Duke Point (for
Nanaimo) and the Gulf Islands. From Horseshoe Bay, you can go to Duke Point/Nanaimo, Bowen
Island and the Sunshine Coast. From Swartz Bay, you can take a short drive
southwest to ferry from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay, across the Saanich Inlet, to get
to the southern part of Vancouver Island quickly.
From the Island, there are two main departure points: Swartz Bay and Duke Point/Nanaimo.
From Swartz Bay (north of Victoria) you connect to Tsawwassen, and at Nanaimo
you can connect to the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay. You can also ferry
from Comox, 100 km to the north of Nanaimo, to Powell River on the Sunshine Coast.
Services on ferries is on a first-come-first-served basis. For some routes,
you can phone ahead and get Assured Loading Tickets to ensure boarding for a
particular sailing (the $15 fee is non-refundable).
Consider getting a CirclePac discount package that can save vacationers money
on a 4-route trip (Mainland to Island to & from a Gulf Island and return)
Fares (vary by time of day)
Fares for a car with two adult passengers (Priced separatedly) between Vancouver & Victoria (or Vancovuer & Nanaimo) can run $70, and for a family of 4 $83 each way (2008).
Call BC Ferries for pricing and schedules 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-233-3779) and
in Victoria (250) 386-3431.
BC Ferries operates on the following routes between the Mainland and Vancouver Island:
Route
Crossing Time
Frequency
Horseshoe Bay - Bowen Island
20 minutes
every hour
Horseshoe Bay - Langdale (to Sunshine Coast)
40 minutes
every 2 hours
Horseshoe Bay - Duke Point (Nanaimo)
1 hr 35 min
every 2.5 hours
Tsawwassen - Duke Point (Nanaimo)
2 hours
every 2.5 hours
Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay (Victoria)
1 hr 35 min
every 2 hours
Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay
25 min
every 1hr 10 min
Duke Point (Nanaimo) - Gabriola Island
20 min
every 1 hour
Comox - Powell River
1 hr 15 min
every 3 hrs 45 min
Texada Island - Powell River
35 min
every 1.5 hours
Sechelt - Powell River
50 min
every 2 hours
Ferry routes generally run a more frequent schedule during the busy summer months.
BC Ferries to Gulf Islands
BC Ferries also provides ferry connections to the southern Gulf Islands, close to Victoria. Departures from the Island are (from south to north) from Swartz Bay, Crofton, Chemainus, and Nanaimo. From the Mainland, ferries leave from Tsawwassen and from Horseshoe Bay.
Here are the Islands and their departure points (from south to north):
Island (town)
Departure Point
Sidney Island
Sidney*
Mayne Island
Village Bay
Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay
Pender Island
Otter Bay
Swartz Bay*
Saturna Island
Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay
Galiano Island
Sturdies Bay
Tsawwassen*, Swartz Bay
Saltspring Island
Fulford Harbour
Swartz Bay*
Long Harbour
Tsawwassen*, Swartz Bay
Vesuvius
Crofton*
Kuper Island
Chemainus*
Thetia Island
Chemainus*
Gabriola Island
Nanaimo*
Islands marked * are serviced direct ferries from the departure points
There are several points to get to the various Gulf Islands (from south to north):
Sidney connects to Sidney Island, or Washington State Ferries to their San Juan Islands.
Ferry Rules
Some ferry rules:
Ticket sales end 10 minutes before departure time for passengers and 5 minutes prior for vehicles
Children under 12 must travel with their parents
Pets must remain in vehicle on a leash on the vehicle decks. They are not allowed above the car decks.
Special fares and fare discounts need to be computed and paid at point of departure. Any discrepancies need to be resolved before departure.
Passengers may be refused if under the influence of alcohol or drugs or who’s behaviour is objectionable, unsafe, or unlawful.
Vehicles may be refused if deemed in unsafe condition or if carrying prohibited materials (the number of propane tanks and gas tanks may be limited).
Some ferry times are reserved for dangerous cargo sailings (no passengers), typically on Wednesdays.
Commercial vehicles (over 5,500 kg) can make reservations on Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen and Duke Point-Tsawwassen, and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes (fax to 1/800/223/5288)
The M.V. Coho to Port Angeles
A passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington is operated year-round using the M.V. Coho. The boat is 341 feet (100 metres) long and can handle 100 vehicles and 1000 passengers. Port Angeles is on the north shore of the Olympic Peninsula and is connected by highway to Olympia (181 km), and Tacoma (170 km) and by short ferry ride across Puget Sound to Seattle (60 km by ferry, 230 km via Tacoma).
The ferry leaves from Victoria’s Inner Harbour (beside the Wax Museum), where passengers pre-clear US Customs when departing, or clear Canadian customs when arriving. For information, call 250-386-2202.
Washington State Ferries to Anacortes & San Juan Islands
Washington State provides ferry service to its San Juan Islands, just east of Victoria. These ferries leave from Sidney (north of Victoria) and connect to Anacortes on the Mainland north of Seattle, and to Friday Harbour on the islands. The trip to Anacortes is 3 hours, with a stop at Friday harbour about half-way. Ferries leave twice a day at 12:20 pm and at 7:35 pm.
Washington State Ferries also provide the ferry connections across the Puget Sound, connecting the Olympic Peninsula with the rest of the Mainland, for those who are taking the MV Coho to Port Angeles.
For info call 1-888-808-7977 (Washington only) or 206-464-6400.
From Vancouver, there are two key ferry terminals: 
A passenger and vehicle ferry service connecting Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington is operated year-round using the M.V. Coho. The boat is 341 feet (100 metres) long and can handle 100 vehicles and 1000 passengers. Port Angeles is on the north shore of the Olympic Peninsula and is connected by highway to Olympia (181 km), and Tacoma (170 km) and by short ferry ride across Puget Sound to Seattle (60 km by ferry, 230 km via Tacoma).
Washington State provides ferry service to its San Juan Islands, just east of Victoria. These ferries leave from Sidney (north of Victoria) and connect to Anacortes on the Mainland north of Seattle, and to Friday Harbour on the islands. The trip to Anacortes is 3 hours, with a stop at Friday harbour about half-way. Ferries leave twice a day at 12:20 pm and at 7:35 pm.