British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Duke Point (Nanaimo)
Duke Point (Nanaimo) (British Columbia, Canada) has 2 ferry routes to 1 destination, operated by BC Ferries. You can sail from Duke Point (Nanaimo) to Tsawwassen. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 2
- Routes
- 1
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
2 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Timetable
Ferry departures from Duke Point (Nanaimo)
5 scheduled sailings leaving Duke Point (Nanaimo), across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:15 | — | Tsawwassen | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:45 | — | Tsawwassen | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:15 | — | Tsawwassen | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:45 | — | Tsawwassen | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Duke Point (Nanaimo) connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 49.163° N, 123.892° W
- Shortest crossing
- 2h
Plan your trip
The day at Duke Point (Nanaimo)
First 05:15
Last 22:45
Busiest 05:00–06:00
10 of 24 hours served
Nothing sails outside 05:15–22:45, so a day trip has to fit inside that window; the last departure is the last one. 35 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Duke Point (Nanaimo)
Nanaimo has two ferry terminals eight kilometres apart and they are not interchangeable. Departure Bay is in the town, close to the centre and the older of the two. Duke Point is south of it, built for traffic that wants to get past Nanaimo rather than into it.
What Duke Point is for
The crossing from Tsawwassen takes about 2 hours and lands here with 15 sailings inbound and 14 out in our timetable. The terminal sits on the industrial south side of the city, roughly 8 km from Departure Bay, with direct access to the highway.
That is its whole purpose: freight and through traffic heading up-island to Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River, or down to Victoria, without threading Nanaimo's streets first.
⚠ Choose by where you are going, not by which is nearer
If your destination is Nanaimo itself, Departure Bay is closer and simpler. If you are driving on, Duke Point saves the town crossing. Getting it wrong costs twenty minutes and a set of traffic lights in each direction.
Accommodation booked in central Nanaimo with a Duke Point ticket is the common version of this mistake.
The terminal itself
Duke Point is a working terminal rather than a destination: holding lanes, a small waiting area, parking, and not much within walking distance. There is no reason to arrive early beyond the boarding requirement.
Foot passengers are carried, but the location makes it awkward without onward transport — this is a terminal built around vehicles.
Where it fits
Duke Point is one of three mainland-to-island gateways alongside Departure Bay and Swartz Bay. The Vancouver Island guide compares them, including the fast foot-passenger alternative that does not use any of these terminals.
Booking
Vehicle reservations are available and sensible in summer. The sailing is long enough — well over an hour — that a missed boat is a real delay rather than a short wait.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
From Duke Point (Nanaimo) you can take a ferry to Tsawwassen. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
Ferries from Duke Point (Nanaimo) are run by BC Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
Duke Point (Nanaimo) is served by 2 ferry routes connecting 1 port. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Duke Point (Nanaimo) ferry port located?
Duke Point (Nanaimo) is in British Columbia, Canada (around 49.163, -123.892). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Duke Point (Nanaimo) ferry terminal?
Arrive at Duke Point (Nanaimo) well before departure — typically 30–60 minutes ahead for foot passengers and longer if you are travelling with a vehicle. Check local bus, train or taxi connections to the terminal and confirm the exact boarding point with your operator.
What are the most popular ferries from Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
Popular crossings from Duke Point (Nanaimo) include Tsawwassen. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Duke Point (Nanaimo) carry cars?
Vehicle capacity varies by route and vessel. Check the individual route page and confirm with the operator before travelling with a car.
When should I book a ferry from Duke Point (Nanaimo)?
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 8, 2026.
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