Canada
Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) to Swartz Bay Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour)
British Columbia
Arrives
Swartz Bay
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) to Swartz Bay ferry takes about 1h 5m–2h 37m, with 14 listed sailings between 06:15 and 22:15. It is operated by BC Ferries.
- First sailing
- 06:15
- Last sailing
- 22:15
- Sailings listed
- 14
- Crossing
- from 1h 5m
Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) to Swartz Bay ferry timetable
| Departs | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:15 | 1h 45m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 07:15 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 08:05 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 10:30 | 2h 37m | BC Ferries | Mon–Fri |
| 11:50 | 1h 44m | BC Ferries | Sun |
| 13:10 | 1h 8m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 15:40 | 2h 15m | BC Ferries | Mon, Sun |
| 16:40 | 1h 40m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed |
| 16:50 | 1h 48m | BC Ferries | Thu, Fri |
| 17:15 | 1h 10m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 19:30 | 2h 28m | BC Ferries | Mon, Sun |
| 20:00 | 2h 15m | BC Ferries | Sat |
| 21:35 | 1h 5m | BC Ferries | Thu, Fri |
| 22:15 | 1h 9m | BC Ferries | Mon, Tue, Wed |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) – Swartz Bay crossing
The Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) to Swartz Bay ferry is operated by BC Ferries in Canada. There are 14 daily sailings on this route, with the fastest crossing taking about 1h 5m. 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 guideVehicles, 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 1h 5m 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 14 daily departures, with the first at 06:15 and the last at 22:15.
What time are the first and last sailings?
The first sailing currently departs at 06:15 and the last leaves at 22:15. 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 5m. 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 5m and several sailings a day (first 06:15, last 22:15), 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 Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour)
Other crossings departing Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour).
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) or Swartz Bay
Other ferries that stop at the same quays — handy for connections and nearby travel.
Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring) to Swartz Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 35m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay) to Swartz Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 1h 7m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Mayne Island (Village Bay) to Swartz Bay
- Fastest crossing
- 50m
- Operators
- 1 operator
See schedule
Timetable valid Jun 25, 2026 – Sep 7, 2026.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated August 1, 2026.
Operated by
Ports on this route
Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) on the map
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