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Water-based transportation has many fringe benefits. You get an unlimited supply of fresh, salty air, a deck-side view of breathtaking scenery not available on land and a high probability of spotting marine wildlife - whales, seals, porpoises, sea lions and marine birds are common sights in BC waters.
Ferries are the most popular mode of transport between the mainland and Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and the most economical by far. They also provide access to the Sunshine Coast, an inlet-studded stretch of coastal mainland that cannot be reached by road, and to the Queen Charlotte Islands in Northern BC, a fascinating archipelago rich in Haida culture and in flora and fauna.
Numerous ferry operators, including BC Ferries, offer scheduled passenger and vehicle service from the mainland and Vancouver Island to many ports of call along BC's coast.
Regional Ferry Services
BC Ferries
BC Ferries is the primary provider of coastal ferry service in the province. Its 38 vessels service up to 47 ports of call. Vancouver Island-Lower Mainland crossings take 95 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the route.
Two particular routes are once-in-a-lifetime journeys: travel past the rocky shorelines, lush rainforest, plunging waterfalls, abandoned fish canneries and isolated lighthouses of the stunning, fjord-like Inside Passage; or cruise through the dramatic archipelago of rainforest-draped islands and inlets of the Discovery Coast Passage, past snow-capped mountains and remote villages. Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife, including Orcas, grey and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, grizzly and black bears, elk and deer.
> BC Ferries details
Inland Ferries
In some places, the BC government provides free passenger/vehicle ferry service across lakes and rivers that are not spanned by bridges.
> Inland Ferries website
Water Taxis
Water taxis provide access to many remote islands and inlets along the coast. They also ferry people short distances in waterfront cities and towns. For more information, contact the Visitor Centre location closest to your intended destination.
Alaska Marine Highway System
The Alaska Marine Highway System provides scheduled vehicle and passenger service between southeast Alaska and Prince Rupert.
> Alaska Ferries website
Ferries from Washington State
Several scheduled vehicle and passenger services are available between ports along the coast of Washington State and southern Vancouver Island.
> Washington State Ferries website
> Blackball Transport details
> Victoria Clipper website
> Victoria Express details
BC Ferries Terminals
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Tsawwassen |
Located approximately 45 minutes south of downtown Vancouver, at the end of Highway 17. |
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Swartz Bay |
Located approximately 30 minutes north of Victoria, at the end of Highway 17. |
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Horseshoe Bay |
Located approximately 25 minutes northwest of downtown Vancouver, off of Highway 99 and Highway 1. |
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Departure Bay |
Located approximately 5 minutes north of Nanaimo, off of Highway 1. |
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Powell River |
Located on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 5 minutes south of Powell River, off of Highway 101. |
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Duke Point |
Located approximately 10 minutes south of Departure Bay, off of Highway 1. |
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Langdale |
Located on the Sunshine Coast, approximately 5 minutes northeast of Gibsons, off of Highway 101. |
Other Major Ferry Terminals
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Downtown Victoria |
Several independent passenger transport companies depart from Victoria's downtown Inner Harbour. |
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Downtown Sidney |
Washington State Ferries depart from downtown Sidney, approximately 30 minutes north of Victoria. |
>Show all Ferry Listings
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