Canada
Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)
British Columbia
Arrives
Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) ferry takes about 25m, with 24 listed sailings between 05:15 and 23:00. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$11.60.
- First sailing
- 05:15
- Last sailing
- 23:00
- Sailings listed
- 24
- Crossing
- 25m
Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:15 | 05:40 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 06:20 | 06:45 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:05 | 07:30 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 07:35 | 08:00 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| 08:10 | 08:35 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:45 | 09:10 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:20 | 09:45 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:55 | 10:20 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 10:35 | 11:00 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 11:15 | 11:40 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 11:50 | 12:15 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:10 | 13:35 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:45 | 14:10 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 14:20 | 14:45 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 14:55 | 15:20 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 15:30 | 15:55 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:05 | 16:30 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:40 | 17:05 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 17:15 | 17:40 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 17:55 | 18:20 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 19:05 | 19:30 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:15 | 20:40 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:55 | 22:20 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 23:00 | 23:25 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) – Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) crossing
24 sailings a day from Descanso Bay on Gabriola Island into Nanaimo Harbour — one more than the return leg.
The extra sailing goes towards the city
Twenty-four out, twenty-three back. A single-departure asymmetry like this usually means the vessel positions overnight on one side, and it is the island side that gains the early run — useful if you need to be in Nanaimo at the start of a working day.
Two ships on a short hop
Island G̲wawis and Island Kwigwis share the route, which is how a crossing of this length sustains better than hourly service.
Where it lands
Nanaimo Harbour is the downtown terminal, not Departure Bay. If your onward ferry is to Horseshoe Bay, you will need to cross the city.
Operator
BC Ferries serves 47 terminals on the British Columbia coast.
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 25m.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around CA$11.60. 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 24 daily departures, with the first at 05:15 and the last at 23:00.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 05:15 and the last leaves at 23:00. Departure times vary by day and season — check the timetable above for the exact sailing you need.
Can I do this as a day trip?
A day trip is often possible: with a crossing of about 25m and several sailings a day (first 05:15, last 23:00), 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.
Timetable valid Apr 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 11, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$11.60
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) on the map
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