
Canada
Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Tsawwassen Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Pender Island (Otter Bay)
British Columbia
Arrives
Tsawwassen
British Columbia
At a glance
The Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Tsawwassen ferry takes about 1h 20m–4h 30m, with 21 listed sailings between 06:30 and 19:30. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$21.
- First sailing
- 06:30
- Last sailing
- 19:30
- Sailings listed
- 21
- Crossing
- from 1h 20m
Pender Island (Otter Bay) to Tsawwassen ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:30 | 10:35 | 4h 5m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 07:10 | 09:15 | 2h 5m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 07:15 | 09:25 | 2h 10m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 07:35 | 10:35 | 3h | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 07:45 | 10:35 | 2h 50m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 08:05 | 12:35 | 4h 30m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 09:25 | 12:35 | 3h 10m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 10:30 | 12:20 | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 11:50 | 14:35 | 2h 45m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 12:25 | 15:35 | 3h 10m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 12:35 | 16:35 | 4h | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 14:45 | 16:35 | 1h 50m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 15:20 | 18:35 | 3h 15m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 15:25 | 17:45 | 2h 20m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 16:25 | 18:50 | 2h 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 16:55 | 18:15 | 1h 20m | BC Ferries | Fri |
| 17:10 | 20:35 | 3h 25m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 17:35 | 20:35 | 3h | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 19:05 | 22:35 | 3h 30m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
| 19:10 | 21:05 | 1h 55m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 19:30 | 22:35 | 3h 5m | BC Ferries | Fri |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Pender Island (Otter Bay) – Tsawwassen crossing
20 sailings a day run from Otter Bay on Pender Island direct to Tsawwassen on the mainland, and every place on every one of them is sold before departure.
One of four fully bookable routes
Tsawwassen–Southern Gulf Islands joins Port Hardy–Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert–Haida Gwaii and Port Hardy–Bella Coola as a route where 100% of vehicle and passenger space is sold in advance. Elsewhere on the network the bookable share is capped — 70–90% on the big Tsawwassen runs, as low as 30% on Horseshoe Bay–Langdale — specifically to protect drive-up travellers. Here there is no such protection, because there is no such traffic.
Five to ten spaces that are never for sale
Each fully bookable sailing holds back 5 to 10 vehicle places for emergencies: police in active pursuit, utility crews restoring an island's power, fire crews. If nobody needs them, they are released to standby at the terminal.
The drive-up alternative
Pender's other link runs 21 times a day to Swartz Bay near Victoria on ordinary terms — longer overall if you are bound for Vancouver, but no reservation required.
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 20m 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 21 daily departures, with the first at 06:30 and the last at 19:30.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:30 and the last leaves at 19:30. 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 20m. 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 20m and several sailings a day (first 06:30, last 19:30), 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 Tsawwassen
Plan a multi-leg trip — these ferries depart Tsawwassen.
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 Tsawwassen
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 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
Pender Island (Otter Bay) on the map
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