Canada
Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Pender Island (Otter Bay)
British Columbia
Arrives
Swartz Bay
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay ferry takes about 40m–2h 25m, with 23 listed sailings between 06:30 and 21:25. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$13.55.
- First sailing
- 06:30
- Last sailing
- 21:25
- Sailings listed
- 23
- Crossing
- from 40m
Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:30 | 08:00 | 1h 30m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 07:35 | 08:17 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 07:45 | 08:27 | 42m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 08:05 | 08:45 | 40m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 08:30 | 09:12 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 09:25 | 10:07 | 42m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 11:20 | 13:13 | 1h 53m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 11:50 | 12:31 | 41m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 12:25 | 13:07 | 42m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 12:35 | 13:17 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 15:10 | 15:52 | 42m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 15:20 | 16:00 | 40m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 16:25 | 18:43 | 2h 18m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 17:10 | 17:52 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 17:35 | 18:17 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 18:15 | 18:57 | 42m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 19:05 | 19:47 | 42m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 19:30 | 20:12 | 42m | BC Ferries | Fri, Sat |
| 20:00 | 22:05 | 2h 5m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 20:15 | 22:15 | 2h | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 20:50 | 23:15 | 2h 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 21:15 | 21:58 | 43m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 21:25 | 22:05 | 40m | BC Ferries | Fri |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Pender Island (Otter Bay) – Swartz Bay crossing
21 sailings a day from Otter Bay on Pender Island to Swartz Bay, the Victoria-side terminal on Vancouver Island.
Swartz Bay is a junction, not a destination
Arriving here puts you at the terminal that also serves Tsawwassen for Vancouver, plus several other Gulf Islands. Many Pender passengers are connecting rather than finishing, which is why the frequency is high for an island of this size.
The other direction from Pender
Otter Bay also has sailings to Tsawwassen on the mainland — a longer crossing, and one where every space must be booked in advance. There is no drive-up option on that route.
Practical
BC Ferries notes that 5–25% of advance bookings go unclaimed, so standby space often materialises at the last minute.
Your destination
About Vancouver Island
There is no bridge to Vancouver Island, so every visitor arrives by ferry (or plane). From the mainland you have two gateways: Victoria, reached by BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay in about 1 hour 35 minutes, and Nanaimo, reached either by BC Ferries (Tsawwassen–Duke Point or Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay, roughly 1h40–2h) or by the car-free Hullo fast ferry, a ~70-minute downtown-to-downtown hop. Bringing a car means BC Ferries; travelling light points you toward Hullo.
Full Vancouver Island travel guideVehicles, 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 40m on the fastest service.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around CA$13.55. 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 23 daily departures, with the first at 06:30 and the last at 21:25.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:30 and the last leaves at 21:25. 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 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 40m and several sailings a day (first 06:30, last 21:25), 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.
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.
Continue your journey
Onward sailings from Swartz Bay
Plan a multi-leg trip — these ferries depart Swartz Bay.
Same departure port
More ferries from Pender Island (Otter Bay)
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Pender Island (Otter Bay) or Swartz Bay
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Timetable valid Sep 8, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 11, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$13.55
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Pender Island (Otter Bay) on the map
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