THE KNOWLEDGE TOOLBOX
How to negotiate B.C. Ferries
By Christopher Mason
Travelling between the Vancouver area and Vancouver Island is relatively
easy, but anyone visiting the Gulf Islands needs to spend some time looking
at ferry routes because they can depart from different ports and work on a
less frequent schedule. Here is a breakdown of how to get to some of the most
popular Gulf Islands:
To get to any of the southern Gulf Islands from the mainland you are best
to leave from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver. From there you can get to Salt
Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender and Saturna islands. For the smaller southern
Gulf Islands, take the ferry to Vancouver Island either from Tsawwassen or
Horseshoe Bay (a short drive north of Vancouver). From Vancouver Island you
can connect to Kuper, Thetis and Gabriola islands.
The northern Gulf Islands are on less-travelled routes and require a bit
more planning to visit them. Your best bet is to take the ferry to Vancouver
Island and drive to one of the ports up-island that serve the smaller Gulf
Islands. Departure Bay, Comox, Campbell River and Port McNeill serve various
islands. Have a look at the B.C.
Ferries route maps to see which ones serve your destination.
Many B.C. Ferry routes allow you to reserve a spot on a specific ferry. Doing
so typically costs a few dollars more but it can help cut down on your wait
time during the busy summer season when travellers can find themselves waiting
through several sailings before they get to the front of the line.
For ferry maps, schedules and fares:
www.bcferries.com
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