Canada
Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Ferry
Schedule, crossing time & sailings for 2026
Departs
Tsawwassen
British Columbia
Arrives
Swartz Bay
British Columbia
BC FerriesAt a glance
The Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay ferry takes about 1h 35m, with 6 sailings a day between 07:00 and 21:00. It is operated by BC Ferries. Fares start from CA$21.
- First sailing
- 07:00
- Last sailing
- 21:00
- Sailings / day
- 6
- Crossing
- 1h 35m
Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay ferry timetable
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Operator | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesSpirit of British Columbia | Daily |
| 08:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesQueen of New Westminster | Daily |
| 09:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesSpirit of Vancouver Island | Daily |
| 19:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesSpirit of British Columbia | Daily |
| 20:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesCoastal Celebration | Daily |
| 21:00 | — | 1h 35m | BC FerriesSpirit of Vancouver Island | Daily |
Times are indicative and may change seasonally. Confirm with the operator before travelling.
About the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay crossing
The busiest crossing in the BC Ferries system: 23 sailings a day from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, to Swartz Bay north of Victoria.
Eighty-five per cent of the deck is spoken for
Between 70% and 90% of vehicle space on this route can be booked in advance, averaging 85% — and about 80% actually sails as booked, the gap explained by a no-show rate the company puts at 5–25%. What is left is genuine drive-up capacity, but it is a minority of the deck. On a summer weekend, arriving without a reservation is a gamble rather than a plan.
The ships
Coastal Celebration works this route as its regular assignment, with Coastal Renaissance splitting its time between here and Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay.
Where it puts you
Swartz Bay is a junction as much as a destination, feeding the Southern Gulf Islands services and the road south to Victoria. BC Ferries carries roughly 23 million passengers a year, and a large share of them pass through these two terminals.
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.
Ships on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route
5 ships work this crossing across 47 listed sailings, most often Spirit of Vancouver Island.
Spirit of Vancouver Island
BC Ferries
14 sailings on this route
Spirit of British Columbia
BC Ferries
13 sailings on this route
Coastal Celebration
BC Ferries
10 sailings on this route
Queen of New Westminster
BC Ferries
9 sailings on this route
Delayed approx. 17m Spirit of British Columbia
BC Ferries
1 sailing on this route
Getting to & from the ports
Frequently asked questions
What time is the last sailing?
Sailings run from 06:00 to 21:00.
How many times a day does it sail?
15 sailings a day.
Is a return sailing available?
Yes — see the return route for its schedule.
Who operates the service?
BC Ferries runs this crossing.
How long, roughly, is the crossing?
About 1h 35m under normal conditions.
Do I need a passport for this ferry?
No, it's a domestic crossing within Canada.
How much does a ticket cost?
Fares start from around CA$21. Prices vary by operator, season, cabin and whether you take a vehicle.
Can I do this as a day trip?
A day trip is often possible: with a crossing of about 1h 35m and several sailings a day (first 07:00, last 21:00), 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.
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 Tsawwassen
Everything else that sails from the same quay.
Sharing a stop
Crossings calling at Tsawwassen or Swartz Bay
Nearby links that share a quay with this one.
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated September 6, 2026.
Operated by
Fares from
CA$21
Lowest published one-way fare. Final price varies by operator, date and vehicle.
Ports on this route
Tsawwassen on the map
Travelled the Tsawwassen → Swartz Bay ferry?
Rate this crossing to help fellow travellers.
Help us keep schedules accurate — we read every report.