BC Ferries provides an essential transportation link from mainland British Columbia to Vancouver Island and coastal and Gulf Islands.
Please note: The inland ferries operating on British Columbia's rivers and lakes are not run by BC Ferries. The responsibility for their provision rests with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, which contracts operation to various private sector companies.
Travelling BC Ferries has become a tourist attraction in itself. The coastal scenery is outstanding and the onboard services are improving continuously. Some things to experience on-board are:
- The Seawest lounge offers a quiet place to work and relax and is a great value for $10.00 includes the tv news channel, unlimited Starbucks coffee, apples, bananas, pastries, complementary newspapers and magazines and great view of the scenery. Complementary juice and yogurt in the AM and additional complementary snacks in the afternoon and all included for $10.00 The Seawest lounge can be found on vessels operating between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay and between Vancouver and and Naniamo.
- Rent a private stateroom (max 5 people) for the voyage and avoid the crowds. Staterooms can be rented through the giftshop. Rental is $25.00.
- Go shopping in the onboard gift shop. Unique gifts, great selection of books and magazines as well as great buys on ladies and mens sportswear.
Please enjoy the slide show presentation to the right and then follow one of the links provided below to the BC Ferries website.
- BC Ferries Travel Discounts 4 day and 7 day passes as well as gift certificates
- BC Ferries Reservations accepting Visa, Mastercard and American Express. If you require an American Express card with travel points we recommend the american express air miles rewards card. Other great rewards cards are the Shoppers Optimum Master Card or The cash back Mastercard for gas and groceries.
- BC Ferries -Ships Schedules and other great website features and information
- BC Ferries accepts Visa MasterCard and American Express. If you need one of these cards we have provided a list of Canadian credit cards. Choose a canadian credit card and apply online If you are from the USA and require a credit card for travel you can apply for a rewards travel card here
BC Ferries - Coastal Ferry Routes
Most Southern Routes
Route numbers are used internally by BC Ferries. The maps show all of the route locations.
Route 1 - Georgia Strait South (Highway 17): Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
Route 4 - Satellite Channel: Swartz Bay to Saltspring Island (at Fulford Harbour)
Route 5 - Swanson Channel: Swartz Bay to the Outer Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna Islands)
Route 6 - South Stuart Channel: Crofton to Saltspring Island (at Vesuvius)
Route 9 - Active Pass Shuttle: Tsawwassen to Saltspring Island and the Outer Gulf Islands (listed above in route 5)
Route 12 - Saanich Inlet: Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay
Southern and Naniamo Routes
Route 2 - Georgia Strait Central (Highway 1): Nanaimo (via Departure Bay) to Horseshoe Bay
Route 3 - Howe Sound: Langdale to Horseshoe Bay
Route 8 - Queen Charlotte Channel: Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island (via Snug Cove)
Route 13 - Thornbrough Channel: Langdale to Gambier Island and Keats Island (passengers only)
Route 19 - Northumberland Channel: Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island (via Descanso Bay)
Route 30 - Mid-Island Express (Highway 19): Nanaimo (via Duke Point) to Tsawwassen
Mid Island Routes
Route 7 - Jervis Inlet (Highway 101): Earls Cove to Saltery Bay
Route 17 - Georgia Strait North: Powell River (via Westview) to Comox (via Little River)
Route 18 - Malaspina Strait: Powell River to Texada Island (via Blubber Bay)
Route 20 - North Stuart Channel: Chemainus to Thetis and Kuper Islands
Route 21 - Baynes Sound: Buckley Bay to Denman Island (via Metcalf Bay)
Route 22 - Lambert Channel: Denman Island (via Gravelly Bay) to Hornby Island (via Shingle Spit)
Route 23 - Discovery Passage: Campbell River to Quadra Island (via Quathiaski Cove)
Route 24 - Sutil Channel: Quadra Island (via Heriot Bay) to Cortes Island (via Whaletown)
Route 10 - Inside Passage: Port Hardy to Prince Rupert
Route 25 - Broughton Strait: Port McNeill to Alert Bay (on Cormorant Island) and Sointula (on Malcolm Island)
Route 40 - Discovery Coast: Port Hardy to Bella Coola (with stops at Bella Bella, Shearwater, Ocean Falls and Klemtu)
Route 10 - Inside Passage: Port Hardy to Prince Rupert
Route 11 - Hecate Strait (Highway 16): Prince Rupert to Queen Charlotte Islands (via Skidegate)
Route 26 - Skidegate Inlet: Skidegate (on Graham Island) to Alliford Bay (on Moresby Island)