BC Ferries operates a scheduled ferry service between Swartz Bay, north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, and Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver on the BC mainland. BC Ferries also operates daily round-trip voyages from Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands. Swartz Bay is located 32 km north of downtown Victoria.
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)
- Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal is located 39 km south of downtown Vancouver on the BC mainland
- 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 Ferry Terminal, Vancouver
Victoria to Southern Gulf Islands
Route Services
- BC Ferries operates scheduled ferry services from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Islands, Saltspring Island and Saturna Island)
- Vehicles and Passengers
- Ferry Route: Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island
- Ferry Route: Village Bay, Mayne Island
- Ferry Route: Otter Bay, Pender Island
- Ferry Route: Fulford Harbour, Saltspring Island
- Ferry Route: Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island
- Ticket sales will end 5 minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and 10 minutes before for walk-on passengers.
Community Information
- Tsawwassen
- Vancouver
- Swartz Bay
- Victoria
- Southern Gulf Islands
- Galiano Island
- Mayne Island
- Pender Islands
- Saltspring Island
- Saturna Island
Click 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
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Vancouver (Tsawwassen)
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to the Southern Gulf Islands
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay)
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Mayne Island (Village Bay)
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour)
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Salt Spring Island (Long Harbour)
Two additional scheduled services connecting Vancouver with Vancouver Island operate between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and between Tsawwassen and Nanaimo (Duke Point).
Island Hopping
Travelling between the Southern Gulf Islands and Northern Gulf Islands can be accomplished in small hops. Each of these islands is a world unto itself, each with its own history, culture and colourful characters – each island deserves at least a day or two for exploring.
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.
