Many of Northern BC's island and coastal towns and cities rely on ferries to get around. Travelling by ferry has other advantages for travellers – this is a prime area for wildlife and scenery.
Scheduled sailings onboard BC Ferries take you through the Inside Passage from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert. They also run from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii.
The BC Ministry of Transportation runs a small fleet of inland ferries as part of the highway system where there are no bridges spanning lakes and rivers. This service is free of charge. There are no terminals; just drive right onto the ferry.
BC Ferries
BC Ferries offers vehicle/passenger services along the Inside Passage between Port Hardy, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, and Prince Rupert.
This spectacularly scenic, 15-hour, 507km (315mi) journey takes travellers past rocky shoreline, temperate rainforest, waterfalls that plummet into the ocean, abandoned fish canneries and lighthouses.
Vehicle/passenger services also connect Prince Rupert with Skidegate on Haida Gwaii. The 172km (107mi) journey across Hecate Strait takes approximately 6 hours. Reservations are strongly advised for both routes. This journey can be done as part of the Heritage Discovery Circle Route.
Alaska Marine Highway System
The Alaska Marine Highway System provides scheduled services from communities in southeast Alaska to Prince Rupert.
Inland Ferries
Ferries shuttle passengers and vehicles across the region's rivers and lakes. There are no ferry terminals, just drive up and load free-of-charge.
Francois Lake Ferry: Crosses Francois Lake between the towns of Francois Lake and Southbank.
Usk Ferry: Crosses the Skeena River between south and north Usk.
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