|
One of the world's most sophisticated ferry systems operates in the Vancouver Island region, where ferry travel is a way of life for many people. In addition to sailings between points on mainland and Vancouver Island, there are many popular routes to destinations in the Gulf Islands (a small chain of islands in the Strait of Georgia).
It's a good idea to allow extra time when you're driving to a ferry terminal during peak hours (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and at the start and end of long weekends) or to make advance reservations during these times.
Ferry Services
BC Ferries
BC Ferries provides year-round, regularly scheduled services from Vancouver's Tsawwassen terminal to Victoria's Swartz Bay terminal and Nanaimo's Duke Point terminal as well as from Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay terminal to Nanaimo's Departure Bay terminal. Swartz Bay is located 30 minutes north of Victoria, at the end of Highway 17. Departure Bay and Duke Point are located 5 and 10 minutes respectively from Nanaimo, off Highway 1.
Year-round, scheduled services are also available between Comox and Powell River (on the north end of the Sunshine Coast) and Port Hardy and Prince Rupert. Seasonal services are available between Port Hardy and Bella Coola. The company also provides services to many of the Gulf Islands.
> BC Ferries details
Lady Rose Marine Services (M.V. Lady Rose and M.V. Frances Barkley)
Lady Rose Marine Services provides scheduled passenger/cargo services between Port Alberni and Bamfield. Seasonal services are available to Ucluelet and the Broken Group Islands. Coastal charters are also available.
> Lady Rose Marine Services website
Nootka Sound Services Ltd. (M.V. Uchuck III)
Nootka Sound Services Ltd. provides scheduled passenger/cargo services to Nootka and Kyuquot Sounds from Gold River. Some trips are seasonal.
> Nootka Sound Services website
Marine Link Tours (M.V. Aurora Explorer)
Marine Link Tours provides seasonal passenger/freight boat cruises from Campbell River to remote areas of the BC Coastal Inside Passage.
> Marine Link Tours website
Barkley Sound Marine Transportation (M.V. Seaway Express)
Barkley Sound Marine Transportation provides seasonal passenger ferry service between Ucluelet and Bamfield aboard the M.V. Seaway Express.
> Barkley Sound Marine details
|