British Columbia, Canada
Ferries from Tsawwassen
Tsawwassen (British Columbia, Canada) has 5 ferry routes to 3 destinations, operated by BC Ferries. You can sail from Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo), Southern Gulf Islands and Swartz Bay. Crossing times and timetables for each route are listed below.
- 5
- Routes
- 3
- Destinations
- 1
- Operators
Routes & timetables
What ferry routes connect Tsawwassen?
5 crossings with live schedules — each card opens its full timetable.
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
Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 50m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Duke Point (Nanaimo) to Tsawwassen
- Fastest crossing
- 2h
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo)
- Fastest crossing
- 2h
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable
Ferry departures from Tsawwassen
15 scheduled sailings leaving Tsawwassen, across every route. Times are local.
| Departs | Arrives | To | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:15 | — | Duke Point (Nanaimo) | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:00 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:45 | — | Duke Point (Nanaimo) | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:15 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 10:15 | — | Duke Point (Nanaimo) | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 10:25 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 19:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:15 | — | Duke Point (Nanaimo) | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:00 | — | Swartz Bay | 1h 35m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:25 | — | Southern Gulf Islands | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:45 | — | Duke Point (Nanaimo) | 2h | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
Network
Where does Tsawwassen connect?
Ports connected
Operators
Location
Where is Tsawwassen?
- Region
- British Columbia
- Coordinates
- 49.006° N, 123.111° W
- Shortest crossing
- 1h 35m
Plan your trip
The day at Tsawwassen
First 05:15
Last 22:45
Busiest 07:00–08:00
18 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. 120 scheduled departures in total.
About
About Tsawwassen
The water off Delta is too shallow for a ferry berth, so British Columbia built a road two kilometres out to sea and put the terminal on the end of it. Everything about Tsawwassen follows from that causeway: the queueing, the parking, and the fact that once you are on it there is no turning round.
A terminal at the end of a road
The berths sit at the southwestern end of a 2 km causeway jutting into the Strait of Georgia. Sailings run to Swartz Bay for Victoria, Duke Point and Departure Bay for Nanaimo, and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Our timetable holds 300 active sailings across 16 routes from here — the busiest mainland terminal in the BC Ferries network.
⚠ The causeway is the queue
Vehicle holding happens on and around the causeway itself, which means a full sailing does not produce a queue in a car park somewhere; it produces a queue on a two-kilometre spit with water on both sides.
Arrive without a reservation on a summer Friday and that is where you will wait. There is no alternative route, no way to leave and come back quickly, and very little at the far end except the terminal.
Parking and fares
The terminal has 884 parking spaces — 168 short-term and 716 long-term. Leaving a car here and travelling as a foot passenger is a common strategy for Vancouver Island trips and removes the vehicle-deck problem entirely.
As of 1 January 2026 a one-way adult fare on the Victoria route starts around CAD 20, with children aged 5 to 11 from about CAD 10. Infants under five and BC-resident seniors travel free on that route.
Which Vancouver Island terminal you want
- Swartz Bay — for Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula, and the Gulf Islands interchange.
- Duke Point — for Nanaimo and the mid-island, aimed at through traffic.
- Departure Bay — also Nanaimo, closer to the town centre.
The Vancouver Island guide sets out which gateway suits which trip; the short version is that Swartz Bay is for the south and Nanaimo for everywhere else.
Reservations
Vehicle reservations exist on the main Vancouver Island routes and are worth having. The Gulf Islands sailings work largely on arrival order, which on a causeway with finite space is a different kind of gamble.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a ferry to from Tsawwassen?
From Tsawwassen you can take a ferry to Duke Point (Nanaimo), Southern Gulf Islands and Swartz Bay. Each route page shows the crossing time and timetable.
Which ferry companies operate from Tsawwassen?
Ferries from Tsawwassen are run by BC Ferries. Open an operator page for its fleet, routes and contact details.
How many ferry routes serve Tsawwassen?
Tsawwassen is served by 5 ferry routes connecting 3 ports. Timetables can change seasonally, so confirm with the operator before travelling.
Where is Tsawwassen ferry port located?
Tsawwassen is in British Columbia, Canada (around 49.006, -123.111). See the map on this page for its exact location.
How do I get to Tsawwassen ferry terminal?
Arrive at Tsawwassen 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 Tsawwassen?
Popular crossings from Tsawwassen include Duke Point (Nanaimo), Southern Gulf Islands and Swartz Bay. Browse the full list below for crossing times and live timetables.
Do ferries from Tsawwassen 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 Tsawwassen?
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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