Canada
Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Horseshoe Bay
British Columbia
Arrives
Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) ferry takes about 1h 40m–1h 42m, with 8 listed sailings between 06:15 and 22:40. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$21.
- First sailing
- 06:15
- Last sailing
- 22:40
- Sailings listed
- 8
- Crossing
- from 1h 40m
Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:15 | 07:55 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 08:35 | 10:17 | 1h 42m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 11:05 | 12:45 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:25 | 15:07 | 1h 42m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:00 | 17:42 | 1h 42m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 18:20 | 20:02 | 1h 42m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 20:30 | 22:10 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun |
| 22:40 | 00:22 | 1h 42m | BC Ferries | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay (Nanaimo) crossing
At 100 to 102 minutes this is the longest of the Vancouver–Nanaimo options, and the calendar in force until 12 October runs it eight times a day, 06:15 to 22:40.
One timetable covers every day of the week. BC Ferries treats this corridor as a fixed piece of highway rather than a service that thins at the weekend, and the ship on it — the Coastal Renaissance — is one of the large Coastal-class vessels that also works the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay run.
You cannot drive up in this direction
This is the part travellers most often reach the terminal without knowing. BC Ferries states that everyone travelling by vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay must book and pay in advance, and that drive-up fares are no longer available. Turn the crossing around and the older rules still hold: Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay keeps deck space for traffic that simply arrives and queues. Same water, same ship, two rule books depending on which way you are pointing.
Foot passengers sit outside that requirement. Booking has been open to them on this route since June 2021, but walking on has never depended on it.
What the booking system is doing behind the scenes
BC Ferries adjusts how much of the deck it opens to reservations sailing by sailing rather than setting one figure for the route: an early-morning departure gets a larger bookable share because that is where demand to book concentrates, which takes pressure off the sailings after it. The company also publishes the reason the bookable share sits above the share that actually sails reserved — between 5% and 25% of customers who book in advance do not show up.
Both ends, and the other doors to Nanaimo
Horseshoe Bay is at the western end of West Vancouver, where Highway 99 meets the water. Departure Bay is inside Nanaimo, close to the downtown waterfront rather than out at an industrial berth. If these times do not suit, the mainland has two more ways in: Tsawwassen to Duke Point, south of the city, and a direct Tsawwassen to Departure Bay sailing that BC Ferries has recently added.
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 1h 40m on the fastest service.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around CA$21. 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 8 daily departures, with the first at 06:15 and the last at 22:40.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:15 and the last leaves at 22:40. 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 1h 40m. 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 1h 40m and several sailings a day (first 06:15, last 22:40), 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.
Will these sailing times change soon?
The timetable above is the one in force now and runs to 12 October 2026. The next edition has already been published and starts 13 October 2026; it replaces this table on that date, so what you see here is always the current season rather than a merged list of all of them.
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.
Same departure port
More ferries from Horseshoe Bay
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Horseshoe Bay or Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Timetable valid Sep 13, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 14, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$21
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Horseshoe Bay on the map
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