British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Swartz Bay
Swartz Bay (British Columbia, Canada) has 5 ferry routes to 3 destinations, operated by BC Ferries. You can sail from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring), Southern Gulf Islands and Tsawwassen. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 5
- Routes
- 3
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Swartz Bay?
5 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) to Swartz Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring)
- Fastest crossing
- 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Swartz Bay to Southern Gulf Islands
- Fastest crossing
- 2h
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Swartz Bay
17 scheduled sailings leaving Swartz Bay, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:55 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 2h 8m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 06:20 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 2h 8m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:35 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:15 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 2h 8m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 10:20 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 12:00 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 18:45 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 2h 8m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 18:55 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:05 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 2h 8m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:30 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:00 | — | Tsawwassen | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:00 | — | Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) | 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Swartz Bay connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Swartz Bay?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 48.689° N, 123.411° W
- Shortest crossing
- 35m
Plan your trip
The day at Swartz Bay
First 05:00
Last 22:00
Busiest 20:00–21:00
18 of 24 hours served
Nothing sails outside 05:00–22:00, so a day trip has to fit inside that window; the last departure is the last one. 151 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Swartz Bay
Most people know Swartz Bay as the Victoria end of the Vancouver crossing. That is one route out of thirteen. From this terminal BC Ferries also serves five of the Southern Gulf Islands, which makes it the busiest island interchange in the region and a far more interesting place than a single mainland link suggests.
The mainland route, and everything else
- Tsawwassen for Vancouver — about 1 h 35 m, 40 sailings each way. The one everybody books.
- Pender Island (Otter Bay) — 21 sailings, about 40 minutes.
- Mayne Island (Village Bay) — 21 sailings, around 50 minutes.
- Salt Spring (Fulford Harbour) — 27 sailings, about 35 minutes.
- Galiano (Sturdies Bay) and Saturna (Lyall Harbour) — 14 to 17 sailings each.
⚠ Gulf Islands sailings are not point-to-point
Many of the island runs call at more than one island on the way, which is why the same pair of terminals can show very different durations depending on the sailing. A crossing timed at forty minutes on one departure can take twice that on another that stops en route.
Read the specific sailing rather than the route average, and if you are connecting between two Gulf Islands, check whether the through service exists or whether you must return to Swartz Bay in between.
Reservations behave differently by route
The Tsawwassen crossing takes vehicle reservations and fills at weekends and holidays. The Gulf Islands routes work largely on arrival order, with much smaller vessels and correspondingly less forgiveness when a sailing is full.
On the small routes the practical rule is to arrive early rather than to book, which is the opposite of the mainland habit.
Getting to the terminal
Swartz Bay is at the northern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, about half an hour from downtown Victoria on Highway 17. That distance surprises people who expect a terminal named for a city to be in it — the Vancouver Island guide covers the transfer and the choice between gateways.
Victoria International Airport is a few minutes away, which makes fly-in, sail-out itineraries straightforward.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Swartz Bay?
From Swartz Bay you can take a ferry to Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring), Southern Gulf Islands and Tsawwassen. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Swartz Bay?
Ferries from Swartz Bay are run by BC Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Swartz Bay?
Swartz Bay is served by 5 ferry routes connecting 3 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Swartz Bay ferry port located?
Swartz Bay is in British Columbia, Canada (around 48.689, -123.411). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Swartz Bay ferry terminal?
Arrive at Swartz 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 Swartz Bay?
Popular crossings from Swartz Bay include Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring), Southern Gulf Islands and Tsawwassen. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Swartz 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 Swartz 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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