British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Chemainus
Chemainus (British Columbia, Canada) has 4 ferry routes to 2 destinations, operated by BC Ferries. You can sail from Chemainus to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) and Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour). Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 4
- Routes
- 2
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Chemainus?
4 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Chemainus to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour)
- Fastest crossing
- 30m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Chemainus to Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour)
- Fastest crossing
- 30m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) to Chemainus
- Fastest crossing
- 30m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) to Chemainus
- Fastest crossing
- 30m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Chemainus
38 scheduled sailings leaving Chemainus, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:45 | 07:35 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 06:45 | 07:15 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:20 | 08:50 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 08:25 | 09:15 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun |
| 08:25 | 08:55 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun |
| 09:35 | 10:25 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 09:35 | 10:05 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 10:00 | 10:30 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 10:00 | 10:50 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 11:25 | 12:05 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 40m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 12:30 | 13:00 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 12:30 | 13:25 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun |
| 12:50 | 13:20 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 12:50 | 13:40 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 14:15 | 14:45 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 14:15 | 15:25 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 14:25 | 14:55 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 14:25 | 15:35 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 16:10 | 16:40 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 16:10 | 17:05 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 16:20 | 16:50 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 16:20 | 17:15 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 17:50 | 18:45 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 17:50 | 18:20 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 18:00 | 18:30 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 18:00 | 18:55 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 19:30 | 20:00 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 19:30 | 20:20 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 19:40 | 20:30 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 19:40 | 20:10 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 21:40 | 22:30 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 21:40 | 22:10 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 21:50 | 22:40 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 21:50 | 22:20 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 23:20 | 00:15 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 23:20 | 23:50 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 23:25 | 00:20 | Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) | 55m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 23:25 | 23:55 | Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Chemainus connect?
Operators
Location
Where is Chemainus?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 48.922° N, 123.718° W
- Shortest crossing
- 30m
Plan your trip
The day at Chemainus
First 06:45
Last 23:25
Busiest 12:00–13:00
13 of 24 hours served
Nothing sails outside 06:45–23:25, so a day trip has to fit inside that window; the last departure is the last one. 38 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Chemainus
Chemainus handles 76 active sailings to two islands and offers 12 parking spaces. That ratio is the whole story of this terminal: it is a departure point for people who live on Thetis and Penelakut, not a place to leave a car.
Where the ferries go
- Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) — about 30 minutes, 20 sailings.
- Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) — about 30 minutes, 19 sailings.
Operated by BC Ferries.
⚠ Twelve spaces, 48-hour limit
The free parking at the terminal is 12 spaces with a 48-hour maximum. For a route carrying seventy-six sailings that is a rounding error, and it is enforced.
If you are visiting either island for more than two days without taking a vehicle across, arrange parking in Chemainus town rather than assuming the terminal will absorb you.
One boat, two islands
The same vessel serves both Thetis and Penelakut on an interleaved rotation, which is why the sailing counts are nearly identical. The departure in front of you is going to one of them, and the next one goes to the other.
Check the destination before boarding — the two islands are separated by a narrow channel and a very long detour by water.
Penelakut
Penelakut Island is the home of the Penelakut Tribe, and visitors are expected to have a reason to be there. It is not a tourist destination and should not be treated as one.
Chemainus itself
A former mill town on Vancouver Island that reinvented itself around large outdoor murals, with the terminal a short walk from the centre. Duncan is twenty minutes south, Nanaimo about forty north.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Chemainus?
From Chemainus you can take a ferry to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) and Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour). Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Chemainus?
Ferries from Chemainus are run by BC Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Chemainus?
Chemainus is served by 4 ferry routes connecting 2 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Chemainus ferry port located?
Chemainus is in British Columbia, Canada (around 48.922, -123.718). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Chemainus ferry terminal?
Chemainus serves short local crossings — arriving 10–15 minutes before departure is usually enough for foot passengers. Confirm the exact boarding point with your operator.
What are the most popular ferries from Chemainus?
Popular crossings from Chemainus include Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) and Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour). Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Chemainus carry cars?
Vehicle capacity varies by route and vessel, and short local crossings are often passenger-only. Check the individual route page and confirm with the operator before travelling with a car.
When should I book a ferry from Chemainus?
For peak season and any sailing with a vehicle, book as early as possible. Off-peak foot-passenger fares are usually more flexible. Always confirm the latest timetable before travelling.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated Aug 9, 2026.
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