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Information on communities shown on the map:
- Chemainus
- Cowichan Bay
- Crofton
- Duncan
- Galiano Island
- Ganges
- Penelakut Island (Kuper Island)
- Mayne Island
- Pender Islands
- Saltspring Island
- Saturna Island
- Swartz Bay
- Thetis Island
- Victoria
Information on regions shown on the map:
- Southern Gulf Islands
- Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
- Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
- Vancouver Island & BC Islands
Information on ferry terminals and routes shown on the map:
- Comox/Powell River/Texada Island
- Qualicum Beach/Lasqueti Island
- Nanaimo/Gabriola Island
- Nanaimo/Horseshoe Bay (Departure Bay)
- Nanaimo/Tswwassen (Duke Point)
- Earls Cove/Saltery Bay (Sunshine Coast)
- Langdale/Horseshoe Bay (Sunshine Coast)
- Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, West Vancouver
- Bowen Island/Horseshoe Bay
- Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Vancouver
- Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria
- Victoria’s Inner Harbour
- Sidney/Sidney Spit
- Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay
- Crofton/Vesuvius (Saltspring Island)
- Long Harbour, Saltspring Island
- Fulford Harbour, Saltspring Island
- Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island
- Village Bay, Mayne Island
- Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island
- Otter Bay, Pender Island
- Chemainus/Thetis Island/Penelakut Island (Kuper Island)
- Victoria /Port Angeles, Washington
- Victoria /Bellingham, Washington
- Victoria /Anacortes, Washington
- Victoria /Seattle, Washington
Other Ferry Route Maps:
Other Information:
Travelling between the Southern Gulf Islands can be accomplished in small hops – each island deserves at least a day or two for exploring. Various routes through the Gulf Islands are described in Island Hopping in the Gulf Islands.
A variety of BC Ferries vessels sails to Saltspring, Galiano, Mayne, and Pender islands from Tsawwassen on the Lower Mainland and Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. In addition, BC Ferries sails from Village Bay on Mayne Island to Saturna Island, from Crofton to Vesuvius on Saltspring Island, as well as from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island.
If you’re in a car, don’t expect to simply arrive at the terminal and drive aboard. The perplexing web of schedules, routes and fares makes advanced planning (and, often, reservations) a must. Or spare yourself the stress and expense by leaving your car behind; most inns and B&B’s will pick you up at the dock. Interisland ferries ply the waters of the southern Gulfs, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can reserve a space for your vehicle in advance on the most popular runs by calling BC Ferries toll-free in Canada at (888) 223-3779. Kayaks and canoes are considered hand luggage while a small fee is charged for those bringing bicycles. Most Gulf Islands have maps and tourist information available at the ferry dock when you arrive. It’s best to orient yourself from these locations.
