British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Port McNeill
Port McNeill (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 Port McNeill?
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
Port McNeill to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)
- Fastest crossing
- 40m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) to Port McNeill
- Fastest crossing
- 45m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Port McNeill
14 scheduled sailings leaving Port McNeill, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:10 | 07:40 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| 08:25 | 09:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 45m | BC Ferries | Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 08:40 | 09:20 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 40m | BC Ferries | Mon, Thu |
| 10:15 | 10:40 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 11:20 | 12:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 13:15 | 13:40 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 14:20 | 15:05 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 45m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:05 | 16:30 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 17:10 | 18:00 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:05 | 19:35 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:20 | 21:10 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:20 | 21:50 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 1h 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:35 | 23:05 | Malcolm Island (Sointula) | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:35 | 23:45 | Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Location
Where is Port McNeill?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 50.592° N, 127.086° W
- Shortest crossing
- 25m
About
About Port McNeill
Port McNeill is the mainland corner of a three-way circuit — the only one of the three landings on Vancouver Island, and therefore the only one with a road to the rest of British Columbia. That makes it the place where cars get left behind.
Where the ferries go
- Alert Bay on Cormorant Island — about 40 minutes, 7 sailings.
- Sointula on Malcolm Island — about 25 minutes, 7 sailings.
28 active sailings, operated by BC Ferries with the Aurora: 47 vehicles, 142 people, no reservations.
⚠ Neither island has parking — this side does
Alert Bay and Sointula both have no parking at all. Port McNeill has limited paid parking nearby.
If your plan is to visit either island on foot, this is where the car stays — and "limited" is the operative word on a summer weekend.
Reading the circuit
One vessel serves all three landings in a loop, so a departure to Sointula may call at Alert Bay first. Twenty-five minutes on paper can be an hour in practice. Loading closes 3 minutes before sailing for vehicles, 5 for walk-ons.
The town
Port McNeill is a forestry town on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, roughly four and a half hours' drive north of Nanaimo. It has the shops, fuel and accommodation that neither island has, and it is the base for whale watching in the Johnstone Strait.
The Broughton Archipelago and the Robson Bight orca rubbing beaches are reached from this coast.
Season
Year round. Winter storms on this coast cancel sailings and there is no second vessel.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Port McNeill?
Port McNeill serves 4 ferry routes — see the list below for destinations and crossing times.
How many ferry routes serve Port McNeill?
Port McNeill is served by 4 ferry routes. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Port McNeill ferry port located?
Port McNeill is in British Columbia, Canada (around 50.592, -127.086). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Port McNeill ferry terminal?
Arrive at Port McNeill 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 Port McNeill 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 Port McNeill?
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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