Canada
Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) to Crofton Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay)
British Columbia
Arrives
Crofton
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) to Crofton ferry takes about 25m, with 14 listed sailings between 06:00 and 22:30. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$12.75.
- First sailing
- 06:00
- Last sailing
- 22:30
- Sailings listed
- 14
- Crossing
- 25m
Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) to Crofton ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 06:25 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 07:05 | 07:30 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
| 08:20 | 08:45 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 09:35 | 10:00 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 10:50 | 11:15 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 12:05 | 12:30 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 13:45 | 14:10 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 15:00 | 15:25 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 16:15 | 16:40 | 25m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 17:30 | 17:55 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 18:45 | 19:10 | 25m | BC Ferries | Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun |
| 20:30 | 20:55 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 21:30 | 21:55 | 25m | BC Ferries | Daily |
| 22:30 | 22:55 | 25m | BC Ferries | Fri |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) – Crofton crossing
The island-side sailings start half an hour earlier: 06:00 against 06:30, finishing at 22:30 against 23:00. Same 88 sailings a week each way, same fourteen departures a day, same 25 minutes.
That thirty-minute shift is the commuter signature. The first boat off the island has to land before the first boat onto it leaves, because the people it carries are going to work on the other side.
Salt Spring has three ferry terminals and this is the working one
Fulford Harbour points south to Swartz Bay and Victoria. Long Harbour points east to Tsawwassen and the other Southern Gulf Islands. Vesuvius points west at Crofton, and it carries more departures a day than either of them — fourteen, against ten or eleven at Fulford and nine at Long Harbour. The busiest terminal on the island is the one aimed at the Cowichan Valley, not at Victoria or the mainland.
Where Crofton puts you
Crofton is a mill town on the Vancouver Island side of Stuart Channel, a few minutes up the coast from Chemainus and a short drive from Duncan, where the Island Highway carries traffic north to Nanaimo and south to Victoria. For anyone on Salt Spring the practical consequence is that groceries, hardware, hospital appointments and the highway are all 25 minutes away by this boat.
The name
Vesuvius Bay is named for a ship rather than a volcano: HMS Vesuvius surveyed this coast in the 1860s. The bay faces west across the channel, which makes it one of the few places on Salt Spring where the sun sets over water rather than behind a ridge, and the reason the small settlement above the ferry ramp is there at all.
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$12.75. 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 14 daily departures, with the first at 06:00 and the last at 22:30.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:00 and the last leaves at 22:30. 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 06:00, last 22:30), 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 1 February 2027. The next edition has already been published and starts 2 February 2027; 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.
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 – Feb 1, 2027.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 14, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$12.75
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) on the map
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