British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Malcolm Island (Sointula)
Malcolm Island (Sointula) (British Columbia, Canada) has 4 ferry routes. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 4
- Routes
- 0
- Destinations
- 0
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Malcolm Island (Sointula)?
4 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Port McNeill
- Fastest crossing
- 25m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Port McNeill to Malcolm Island (Sointula)
- Fastest crossing
- 25m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) to Malcolm Island (Sointula)
- Fastest crossing
- 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)
- Fastest crossing
- 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Malcolm Island (Sointula)
14 scheduled sailings leaving Malcolm Island (Sointula), across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 09:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 2h 10m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 07:00 | 07:30 | Port McNeill | 30m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 07:45 | 09:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| 07:45 | 08:15 | Port McNeill | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| 10:45 | 12:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 10:45 | 11:10 | Port McNeill | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:45 | 15:05 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 20m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:45 | 14:10 | Port McNeill | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:35 | 18:00 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 16:35 | 17:00 | Port McNeill | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 19:40 | 21:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:40 | 20:10 | Port McNeill | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:55 | 22:25 | Port McNeill | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 23:10 | 23:45 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Location
Where is Malcolm Island (Sointula)?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 50.627° N, 127.018° W
- Shortest crossing
- 25m
About
About Malcolm Island (Sointula)
Sointula means "place of harmony" in Finnish. The village was founded in 1901 by Finnish settlers building a utopian socialist colony on Malcolm Island, and the ferry that serves it today runs a three-cornered circuit rather than a straight line.
Where the ferries go
- Alert Bay — about 35 minutes, 8 sailings.
- Port McNeill — about 25 minutes, 7 sailings.
29 active sailings across the terminal, worked by the Aurora — 47 vehicles, 142 people, non-bookable.
⚠ No parking, and the loop decides your journey time
There is no parking at the Sointula terminal. And because a single vessel circulates between three landings, the twenty-five-minute run to Port McNeill can become an hour if the boat calls at Alert Bay first.
Check the calling order before boarding. Loading closes 3 minutes ahead for vehicles.
The colony
The Kalevan Kansa Colonization Company brought Finnish settlers here to build a co-operative society with shared property, an eight-hour day and free education. It collapsed within about five years under debt and a fatal fire, but a good many families stayed.
Finnish surnames, a co-op store that still trades, and a museum recording the experiment are what remain.
The island
Malcolm Island is quiet, forested and thinly populated, with Bere Point on the north shore known for rubbing beaches where orcas come in against the pebbles. There is limited accommodation and one small commercial centre.
Season
Year round. This is exposed north-coast water and cancellations happen; with a single vessel on the circuit there is no backup.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Malcolm Island (Sointula)?
Malcolm Island (Sointula) serves 4 ferry routes — see the list below for destinations and crossing times.
How many ferry routes serve Malcolm Island (Sointula)?
Malcolm Island (Sointula) is served by 4 ferry routes. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Malcolm Island (Sointula) ferry port located?
Malcolm Island (Sointula) is in British Columbia, Canada (around 50.627, -127.018). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Malcolm Island (Sointula) ferry terminal?
Arrive at Malcolm Island (Sointula) 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.
Do ferries from Malcolm Island (Sointula) 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 Malcolm Island (Sointula)?
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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