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Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay

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Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay Ferry

Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026

(c) No machine-readable author provided. Keefer4~commo / CC BY-SA 2.5

Departs

Pender Island (Otter Bay)

British Columbia

from 40m

Arrives

Swartz Bay

British Columbia

Operated byBC Ferries logoBC Ferries
21 sailings listed

At a glance

The Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay ferry takes about 40m–2h 24m, with 21 listed sailings between 07:45 and 21:50. It is operated by BC Ferries.

First sailing
07:45
Last sailing
21:50
Sailings listed
21
Crossing
from 40m

Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay ferry timetable

DepartsDurationOperatorRuns
07:4542mBC FerriesMon–Fri
08:0044mBC FerriesSat
08:5043mBC FerriesSun
09:2542mBC FerriesMon–Fri
10:001h 30mBC FerriesSat
11:3040mBC FerriesSun
12:2542mBC FerriesMon–Fri
12:4543mBC FerriesSat
12:5044mBC FerriesSun
15:1542mBC FerriesMon, Tue, Wed
15:3542mBC FerriesThu, Fri, Sat
16:1542mBC FerriesMon, Sun
18:0542mBC FerriesMon, Sun
19:0040mBC FerriesMon, Tue, Wed
19:0540mBC FerriesSat
19:402h 5mBC FerriesMon, Tue, Wed
20:0040mBC FerriesThu, Fri
20:551h 25mBC FerriesSat
21:002h 24mBC FerriesMon, Tue, Wed
21:2043mBC FerriesMon, Sun
21:5042mBC FerriesThu, Fri

Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.

About the Pender Island (Otter Bay)Swartz Bay crossing

The Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Swartz Bay ferry is operated by BC Ferries in Canada. There are 21 daily sailings on this route, with the fastest crossing taking about 40m. Below you'll find the latest timetable, crossing times, operators and ticket information for this crossing.

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 guide

Vehicles, pets & onboard

  • Vehicle & passenger ferries
  • Onboard dining
  • Reservations on major routes
  • LNG & hybrid vessels

Vehicle space is available on this route — book early, especially in peak season. 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?

Ticket prices vary by operator, season and whether you bring a vehicle. Check the operator (BC Ferries) for current fares.

Who operates this ferry?

Served by BC Ferries.

How many ferries run each day?

There are 21 daily departures, with the first at 07:45 and the last at 21:50.

What time are the first and last sailings?

The first sailing currently departs at 07:45 and the last leaves at 21:50. 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 07:45, last 21:50), 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?

Yes — BC Ferries carries vehicles on this route. Book your car space in advance, especially in peak season, and check the specific sailing for size limits.

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.

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)

Other crossings departing Pender Island (Otter Bay).

Sharing a stop

Crossings calling at Pender Island (Otter Bay) or Swartz Bay

Other ferries that stop at the same quays — handy for connections and nearby travel.

Timetable valid Jun 25, 2026Sep 7, 2026.

Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 1, 2026.

Operated by

Ports on this route

Pender Island (Otter Bay) on the map

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