British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay (British Columbia, Canada) has 5 ferry routes to 3 destinations, operated by BC Ferries. You can sail from Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island, Departure Bay (Nanaimo) and Langdale. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 5
- Routes
- 3
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Horseshoe Bay?
5 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Bowen Island to Horseshoe Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 20m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island
- Fastest crossing
- 20m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
- Fastest crossing
- 40m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Langdale to Horseshoe Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 40m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Horseshoe Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 42m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Horseshoe Bay
13 scheduled sailings leaving Horseshoe Bay, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:45 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 06:50 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:30 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:05 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:50 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 11:10 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 18:35 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:05 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:50 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:25 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:00 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 23:00 | — | Bowen Island | 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 23:30 | — | Langdale | 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Horseshoe Bay connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Horseshoe Bay?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 49.377° N, 123.272° W
- Shortest crossing
- 20m
Plan your trip
The day at Horseshoe Bay
First 05:45
Last 23:30
Busiest 19:00–20:00
19 of 24 hours served
Nothing sails outside 05:45–23:30, so a day trip has to fit inside that window; the last departure is the last one. 110 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Horseshoe Bay
Three routes leave Horseshoe Bay and they go to three different worlds: an island fifteen minutes away, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island. 178 active sailings pass through a terminal at the end of the Trans-Canada Highway, about twenty-five minutes from downtown Vancouver.
Where the ferries go
- Bowen Island (Snug Cove) — about 20 minutes, 37 sailings.
- Langdale for the Sunshine Coast — about 40 minutes, 32 sailings.
- Nanaimo (Departure Bay) — about 1 hour 42 minutes, 8 sailings.
All operated by BC Ferries.
⚠ The parking is the constraint, not the boat
Parking here is run by Impark, not by BC Ferries, with 598 spaces — 138 short-term and 460 long-term. Long-term costs about $19.25 per 24 hours, with transit tax and GST added on top.
That lot fills. The terminal publishes live availability and it is routinely at zero long-term spaces. If you are leaving a car for more than a day, have a plan that is not this lot.
Three routes, three booking rules
The Nanaimo run is a major vehicle route and behaves like one — reservations matter. Bowen Island is a commuter shuttle where you queue. Langdale sits between the two, with weekend traffic that behaves like holiday traffic.
Reading one route's habits onto another is the most common mistake made at this terminal.
Getting here
Horseshoe Bay is in West Vancouver at the western end of Highway 1. There is no rail; the approach is by road or by TransLink bus, and the last few kilometres funnel through a village with one main street.
Season
Year round on all three routes. Summer Fridays outbound and Sunday evenings inbound are when the vehicle queue reaches back up the hill.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Horseshoe Bay?
From Horseshoe Bay you can take a ferry to Bowen Island, Departure Bay (Nanaimo) and Langdale. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Horseshoe Bay?
Ferries from Horseshoe Bay are run by BC Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Horseshoe Bay?
Horseshoe Bay is served by 5 ferry routes connecting 3 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Horseshoe Bay ferry port located?
Horseshoe Bay is in British Columbia, Canada (around 49.377, -123.272). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal?
Arrive at Horseshoe Bay 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 Horseshoe Bay?
Popular crossings from Horseshoe Bay include Bowen Island, Departure Bay (Nanaimo) and Langdale. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Horseshoe Bay 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 Horseshoe Bay?
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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