Canada
Chemainus to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Chemainus
British Columbia
Arrives
Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour)
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Chemainus to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) ferry takes about 30m–1h 10m, with 19 listed sailings between 06:45 and 23:25. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$10.95.
- First sailing
- 06:45
- Last sailing
- 23:25
- Sailings listed
- 19
- Crossing
- from 30m
Chemainus to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:45 | 07:15 | 30m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:25 | 09:15 | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun |
| 09:35 | 10:05 | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 10:00 | 10:50 | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 11:25 | 12:05 | 40m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 12:30 | 13:00 | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 12:50 | 13:40 | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 14:15 | 15:25 | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 14:25 | 15:35 | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 16:10 | 16:40 | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 16:20 | 16:50 | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 17:50 | 18:45 | 55m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 18:00 | 18:55 | 55m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 19:30 | 20:20 | 50m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 19:40 | 20:30 | 50m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 21:40 | 22:10 | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 21:50 | 22:20 | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 23:20 | 23:50 | 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 23:25 | 23:55 | 30m | BC Ferries | Fri |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Chemainus – Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour) crossing
Journey times on this route run from 30 minutes to 70 — a spread of forty minutes on the same crossing, depending on which of the nineteen daily departures you take.
Sixty-nine sailings a week under four day patterns, from 06:45 to 23:25. The long timings are the sailings that call at Thetis Island on the way; the short ones run direct to Telegraph Harbour.
Chemainus is on Vancouver Island's east coast, a former mill town that reinvented itself in the 1980s by covering its buildings with large historical murals. Penelakut Island is the home of the Penelakut Tribe, and was the site of the Kuper Island Residential School, which operated until 1975. BC Ferries runs the crossing as a small vessel route serving both communities.
Vehicles, pets & onboard
- Terminal webcams and live vessel tracking
- Current conditions by route
- Experience Card and Assured Loading Card
- Fare calculator
- BC Ferries app
Onboard facilities and vehicle, pet and luggage policies vary by operator and vessel; confirm details with the operator before booking.
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
How long does the crossing take?
About 30m on the fastest service.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around CA$10.95. Prices vary by operator, season, cabin and whether you take a vehicle.
Who operates this ferry?
Served by BC Ferries.
How many ferries run each day?
There are 19 daily departures, with the first at 06:45 and the last at 23:25.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:45 and the last leaves at 23:25. Departure times vary by day and season — check the timetable above for the exact sailing you need.
What's the fastest crossing option?
The quickest option takes about 30m. Crossing time depends on the operator and vessel — compare sailings from BC Ferries above.
Can I do this as a day trip?
A day trip is often possible: with a crossing of about 30m and several sailings a day (first 06:45, last 23:25), you can return the same day. Always check the return timetable before you go.
Does the ferry run all year?
Sailings run daily, and frequency can change between the summer and winter seasons. The timetable above shows the latest published departures — confirm with the operator for off-season dates.
Can I take a car on this ferry?
BC Ferries does not list vehicle space on this service — plan to travel as a foot passenger. If you need to bring a car, check with the operator for alternative crossings.
Can I take a pet on this ferry?
Most ferry operators allow pets on this route, usually in a carrier, on deck or in designated pet areas or cabins, and registered assistance dogs travel free. Rules and any fees vary by operator and vessel — check with BC Ferries, so declare your pet when booking.
What's the luggage allowance?
Foot passengers can normally bring their own luggage aboard at no extra charge, with racks or a luggage area near the entrance, and there is usually no airline-style weight limit. Oversized or excess items may carry a fee, so check with the operator if you are travelling with bulky baggage.
Where can I check live sailing times?
The timetable on this page shows the latest published sailings for this route. Always confirm with the operator before travelling, as schedules change seasonally.
Same departure port
More ferries from Chemainus
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Chemainus or Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour)
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Timetable valid Apr 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 12, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$10.95
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Chemainus on the map
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