Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) to Swartz Bay Ferry

The Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay ferry is a BC Ferries car-and-passenger crossing of about 35 minutes (Route 4) that links Salt Spring Island to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island's Saanich Peninsula, just north of Victoria. It is the most direct, southern gateway between Salt Spring and the Victoria area, and unlike the region's mainland routes it runs first-come, first-served rather than by reservation. Service operates year-round, with sailings spread across the day from early morning to mid-evening.

How long is the crossing and how often does it run?

The sailing takes roughly 35 minutes dock to dock, threading the sheltered waters at the south end of Salt Spring Island. BC Ferries typically runs on the order of eight round-trip sailings a day, with the first departure around early morning and the last in the evening. Exact times shift by season and day of week, so always confirm the current timetable on BC Ferries before you travel.

Car ferry and reservations

This is a full drive-on, drive-off vehicle ferry — you can bring a car, camper, motorcycle or bike. Importantly, Route 4 is a non-bookable route: vehicle reservations are not offered. Loading is strictly by order of arrival at the terminal, so on busy summer weekends and long weekends it pays to arrive well ahead of your intended sailing. Check-in generally closes a few minutes before departure.

• No reservations — first-come, first-served for all vehicles.
• Arrive early in peak season; overflow traffic waits for the next boat.
• Walk-on passengers and cyclists board the same sailings.

Swartz Bay as an onward hub

Swartz Bay is far more than a village dock — it is one of BC Ferries' major terminals. From here you can:

Onward connection	Roughly
Drive south to Victoria (via Hwy 17)	~30–40 min
Ferry to Tsawwassen (Metro Vancouver / mainland)	~1 hr 35 min
Victoria International Airport (YYJ)	~15 min drive

The Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen sailings are reservable and are the usual way to reach the mainland, so many travellers pair the short Fulford hop with a booked mainland crossing. BC Transit buses also connect Swartz Bay with downtown Victoria.

Why cross to Salt Spring Island?

Salt Spring is the largest and best known of British Columbia's Southern Gulf Islands, celebrated for its Saturday Market in Ganges, artist studios, farm-gate stands, cheese and cider makers, hiking on Mount Maxwell and Ruckle Provincial Park, and a laid-back island pace. Fulford Harbour, where this ferry lands, is a pretty waypoint with a café, pub and the trailhead-friendly south end close by.

Walking on without a car

Foot passengers are welcome and pay a lower fare than vehicles. Walking on is a smart option if you're continuing by bus or being picked up, and it sidesteps any vehicle line-up entirely. Bikes load easily too, making the crossing popular with cycle tourers exploring the Gulf Islands. As always, fares and schedules are set by BC Ferries and can change seasonally — check the official site for current pricing before you go.