BC Ferries operates numerous scheduled ferry services from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, south of Vancouver, to Victoria (Swartz Bay), Nanaimo on Vancouver Island (Duke Point), and to the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Islands, Saltspring Island and Saturna Island). Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal is located 39 km south of downtown Vancouver on the BC mainland.

Vancouver to Victoria (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay)

Route Services

  • BC Ferries runs a scheduled ferry service from Vancouver (Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal) to Victoria on Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay)
  • Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal is located 32 km north of downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island.
  • Vehicles and Passengers
  • Distance: 24 nautical miles
  • Sailing Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Sailings: 10 to 17 daily round-trip sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, depending on the time of year
  • Ticket sales will end 5 minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and 10 minutes before for walk-on passengers.
  • Ferry Route: Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay, Victoria

Vancouver to Nanaimo (Tsawwassen to Duke Point)

Route Services

  • BC Ferries runs a scheduled ferry service from Vancouver (Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal) to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island (Duke Point)
  • Duke Point Ferry Terminal is located 12 km south of downtown Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
  • Vehicles and Passengers
  • Distance: 38 nautical miles
  • Sailing Time: 2 Hours
  • Sailings: 8 daily round-trip sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point
  • Ticket sales will end 5 minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and 10 minutes before for walk-on passengers.
  • Ferry Route: Tswwassen/Duke Point, Nanaimo

Vancouver to Southern Gulf Islands

Route Services

  • BC Ferries operates scheduled ferry services from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Islands, Saltspring Island and Saturna Island)
  • Vehicles and Passengers
  • Sailing Times:
    55 minutes between Tsawwassen and Galiano Island (non stop)
    1 hour 35 minutes between Tsawwassen and Mayne (1 stop at Galiano Island)
    2 hours 15 minutes between Tsawwassen and Pender (2 stops: Galiano and Mayne)
    3 hours between Tsawwassen and Saltspring Island (varies: non stop to 3 stops)
  • Ferries from Tsawwassen to the Gulf Islands follow a circular route, stopping at Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Salt Spring Islands. The route is reversed for the return trip to Vancouver. Passengers to Saturna Island are required to transfer at Mayne Island or Swartz Bay.
  • Ferry Route: Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island
  • Ferry Route: Village Bay, Mayne Island
  • Ferry Route: Otter Bay, Pender Island
  • Ferry Route: Long Harbour, Saltspring Island
  • Ferry Route: Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island

Community Information

Map of British Columbia Ferry RoutesClick on the map to view a large scale map of the Pacific Northwest Ferry Routes, or view BC Ferries’ map of Ferry Routes in BC (PDF format). Make vehicle reservations and check current ferry schedules, ferry fares, capacity conditions at major ferry terminals, and the departure and arrival status of current sailings directly on the BC Ferries website.

BC Ferries Schedules from this Terminal

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Driving instructions from Vancouver:
South on Oak Street to Highway 99
Highway 99 to Highway 17
Southwest on Highway 17 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal
Total estimated driving time: about 40 minutes

Driving instructions from Vancouver International Airport:
Look for destination signs leaving the airport terminal and follow Highway 99 South to Highway 17.
Follow Highway 17 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal
Total estimated driving time: about 25 minutes

Driving Instructions from the Fraser Valley (Chilliwack):
Highway 1 westbound to Fort Langley
Take Exit 66 to Highway 10
Highway 10 west to highway terminus at Highway 17
Left on Highway 17 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal
Total estimated driving time from Chilliwack: approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes

Driving Instructions from Whistler:
Highway 99 southbound past Horseshoe Bay, connecting to Highway 1 East
Take Taylor Way Exit
Cross Lions Gate Bridge
Continue through Stanley Park and onto Georgia Street
Turn right at Howe Street
Cross Granville Street Bridge
Turn left at 70th Ave
Right at Oak Street (Highway 99 South)
Continue through George Massey Tunnel
Exit onto Highway 17 to Tsawwassen ferry terminal
Total estimated driving time: approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes

Driving instructions from Seattle:
I-5 North to the Canadian border
In British Columbia, I-5 becomes Highway 99
Highway 99 to Highway 10
West on Highway 10 to Highway 17
Southwest on Highway 17 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal
Total estimated driving time: about 2 hrs 30 minutes

For bus travel between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria via BC Ferries, call Wilson’s Transportation – see Bus and Coach Services in British Columbia.

Circle Tours involve exciting rail, road and ferry trips on BC Ferries, which is half the fun of travelling in British Columbia. Scenic highways flank the coast, taking you through charming beachside communities, rolling farmlands and majestic mountain ranges. Start your journey here and now, by selecting from one of the Circle Tours, designed to assist you in planning your journey by road through beautiful British Columbia. Circle Tours in British Columbia.