Ferry routes crisscross the waters between the British Columbia mainland, the many small islands scattered like jewels all the way up the coast to Alaska, and the “big island” – Vancouver Island.
With a little bit of planning using the tools provided by BC Ferries, the visitor can easily map out a unique Canadian vacation.
Ferry Travel to Southern Vancouver Island
Three ferry routes service southern Vancouver Island. On busy summer weekends, the ferries on these routes are frequently overloaded. Waits of up to three hours or even longer are common, particularly on holiday weekends. Careful planning to avoid peak travel times is advised.
Here are the main ferry routes to southern Vancouver Island from the Mainland:
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and a deservedly popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Travelers can easly spend several days exploring Victoria and its environs. Nanaimo is the gateway to numerous vacation destinations including the endless beaches at Parskville/Qualicum Beach and the stunning Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Ferry Travel to the Southern Gulf Islands
Several ferries service the many islands clustered in the Strait of Georgia between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Here are some options:
A vacation on any one of the southern Gulf Islands provides the traveler with a great taste of laid back island living surrounded by spectacular ocean vistas.
Sunshine Coast
The rugged terrain, mountains, and deep inlets that characterize the coast north of Vancouver favor ferry travel over roads. In fact, the only way to access most coastal towns north of Vancouver is via ferry. Once on the Sunshine Coast, the visitor can travel to Gibsons, Sechelt, and Pender Harbor and then take another ferry up to bustling Powell River. Here are the main routes:
British Columbia's Sunshine Coast provides visitors with a paradise of pristine ocean vistas, tourist-friendly towns, and plenty of hiking, boating, and camping.
Visiting Bowen Island Near West Vancouver
The ferry from West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) takes just 20 minutes and rewards the traveler with a charming day out. Hiking, kayaking, and beach basking are all popular activities along with visiting the many art studios scattered across the island. A recent poll ranked Bowen Island as the fourth most artistic community in Canada. Its active arts council sponsors a literary festival studio tours, musical performances, an art gallery, and much more.
Ferries to Denman Island and Hornby Island
The journey from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island just south of Courtney to Denman Island and then on to Hornby Island is a great outing in itself. Two short ferry rides and a drive across Denman Island finally land the visitor on magical Hornby Island where amazing beaches and a vibrant arts community have made the island one of the most sought after vacation destinations on the west coast.
With a little bit of planning using the tools provided by BC Ferries, the visitor can easily map out a unique Canadian vacation.
Ferry Travel to Southern Vancouver Island
Three ferry routes service southern Vancouver Island. On busy summer weekends, the ferries on these routes are frequently overloaded. Waits of up to three hours or even longer are common, particularly on holiday weekends. Careful planning to avoid peak travel times is advised.
Here are the main ferry routes to southern Vancouver Island from the Mainland:
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Schwartz Bay)
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Nanaimo (Duke Point)
- West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and a deservedly popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Travelers can easly spend several days exploring Victoria and its environs. Nanaimo is the gateway to numerous vacation destinations including the endless beaches at Parskville/Qualicum Beach and the stunning Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Ferry Travel to the Southern Gulf Islands
Several ferries service the many islands clustered in the Strait of Georgia between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Here are some options:
- Nanaimo on Vancouver Island to Gabriola Island
- Chemainus on Vancouver Island to Thetis Island
- Several routes to Saltspring Island from Vancouver Island and from Vancouver (Tsawwassen)
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Mayne Island, Pender Island, Saturna Island, and Galiano Island
A vacation on any one of the southern Gulf Islands provides the traveler with a great taste of laid back island living surrounded by spectacular ocean vistas.
Sunshine Coast
The rugged terrain, mountains, and deep inlets that characterize the coast north of Vancouver favor ferry travel over roads. In fact, the only way to access most coastal towns north of Vancouver is via ferry. Once on the Sunshine Coast, the visitor can travel to Gibsons, Sechelt, and Pender Harbor and then take another ferry up to bustling Powell River. Here are the main routes:
- West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Gibsons (Langdale) on the Sunshine Coast
- Earls Cove to Saltary Bay and then by road to Powell River
- Powell River to Texada Island
- Powell River to Comox on Vancouver Island
British Columbia's Sunshine Coast provides visitors with a paradise of pristine ocean vistas, tourist-friendly towns, and plenty of hiking, boating, and camping.
Visiting Bowen Island Near West Vancouver
The ferry from West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) takes just 20 minutes and rewards the traveler with a charming day out. Hiking, kayaking, and beach basking are all popular activities along with visiting the many art studios scattered across the island. A recent poll ranked Bowen Island as the fourth most artistic community in Canada. Its active arts council sponsors a literary festival studio tours, musical performances, an art gallery, and much more.
Ferries to Denman Island and Hornby Island
The journey from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island just south of Courtney to Denman Island and then on to Hornby Island is a great outing in itself. Two short ferry rides and a drive across Denman Island finally land the visitor on magical Hornby Island where amazing beaches and a vibrant arts community have made the island one of the most sought after vacation destinations on the west coast.
Comments