BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail

BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail

Serving the needs of visitors and coastal residents in British Columbia, BC Ferries is a publicly owned company which changed from a crown corporation in 2003 to an independently managed company.

Having begun operation under the eye of WAC Bennett, leader of the BC SOCRED government in 1958, BC Ferries is today the second largest ferry system in the world.

In 2003 the corporation moved from a government owned Crown Corporation to a regulated, independent company falling under under the Companies Act.

Because BC Ferries connects the mainland to the provinces’ capital in Victoria on Vancouver Island, it is considered to be an extension of the Trans Canada Hwy: a highway that runs the length of the country from the east coast in Halifax, to the west coast in Victoria.

Since its conception in 1958 and the start of operation in 1960, BC Ferries has moved from a two ship operation to a company with more than 45 ships. Some of those ferries carry only passengers, but on most of the 25 routes passenger/vehicle ferry service is provided.

Where in the early 1960s the ferries serving BC carried some 1,600 passengers, they now move over 22 million passengers and approximately 8 million vehicles annually.

With today’s numbers, it is important to note that it is now absolutely essential to plan any BC ferry travel early, and to know that there are choice as to how to secure tickets.

One can buy BC Ferry tickets online through either any one of several sites, or a BC Ferries ticket booking can be completed by phone.

• 1-800-686-0446 enables BC Ferries ticket purchases for the longer northern routes like Port Hardy & Prince Rupert.

• 250-381-1401 is the number for the Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Gulf Island bookings.

The most important thing to remember to avoid any disappoint from a finding your desired sailing in a sold-out position, is to buy BC ferries tickets in advance. This can be done online or by phone.

BC ferry routes to book in advance

Perhaps the most important of the BC ferry routes to book in advance are the Northern routes.

This would include BC Ferries to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Shearwater, Bella Bella & Bella Cola. Each of these northern sailings provide the best views on the BC Ferry routes.

This, especially between June & September, has one travelling through pristine waters where whales, dolphins and numerous sea birds are a common sight. The islands with their spectacular 1st growth forests, the rugged coastline all contribute to a photographer's dream.

The BC Ferries routes and schedules for the Discovery Coast passage are determined and published 2 times a year but the pretty much follow a historical pattern with the summer sailings departing in the early morning and the winter sailings departing later in the day.

The most heavily used of the ferry routes

The most heavily used of the ferry routes are those connecting the Vancouver mainland to Vancouver Island.

There are 2 terminals in Vancouver & 4 terminals (to the Vancouver Island side):

• The Tsawwassen terminal, which is the closest to the US border, provides ferry transportation from the mainland to either Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, or just south of Nanaimo, at Duke Point.

• The Tsawwassen terminal sailings to Victoria travel through the Gulf Islands and this is undoubtedly one of the most scenic 90-minute ferry trips anywhere in the world.

Whales, sea birds, close-up views of Gulf Island resident homes, coupled with the BC Ferries onboard amenities, all contribute to what amounts to a mini cruise.

• The second Vancouver terminal is located in Horseshoe Bay, in West Vancouver. Ferries sailing from the Horseshoe Bay terminal deliver passengers & vehicles to Departure Bay which is located just north of Nanaimo.

BC Ferries reservations for Vancouver Island sell out year-round for most sailings. Fortunately, as there are some 18 Tsawwassen sailings per day starting at 7:00 AM & ending at 9:00 PM in the summer months, and provided one buys their BC ferries tickets in advance, travelling is easy.

Buying advance BC Ferries tickets is important because nothing is as discouraging as sitting in one of the terminal parking lots watching as ferry after ferry after ferry sails away without you.

Cheap BC Ferries Tickets

Occasionally, and at specific times, Vancouver - Vancouver Island “fare saver ferry tickets” are available provided the booking is made in advance.

These cheap BC Ferries tickets start at $15 for a foot passenger and can be as low as $49 for a car and driver. To secure up-to-date information on the schedules for these “fare saver” trips, call BC Ferries at 250-381-1401.

Note: Discounted fares are only for Vancouver - Vancouver Island sailings, never for the BC Ferries Prince Rupert-Port Hardy sailings.

Parking lot and boarding tips

If not taking a vehicle on one of the BC Ferries but instead walking on, there is seldom need to pre-book a ticket (except on the Northern routes where booking as either a foot passenger or as a passenger with a vehicle, is essential).

Whether travelling with a vehicle or on foot, the check-in time is typically 1 hour prior to sailing, and there are both waiting rooms and usually cafes, in all major terminals.

Vehicles with reservations are loaded on a first-come basis, which means if those travellers with reservations take up all available space on the ferry, anyone without a reservation must wait until there is a ferry with unbooked space available. This might not be the next ferry, or the next, or even the next—which is why BC Ferries reservations for and from Vancouver Island, in particular, are so important.

For those travelling as foot passengers, there are parking lots located at or near the major BC Ferries terminals.

It should be noted, however, that terminal parking at about $20 for 24 hours & $10 for every 12 hours after the first 24, can become quite expensive.

BC Ferries Travel Tips for First-Time Riders

BC Ferries ships are very stable and in wanting to ensure their passengers have a positive onboard experience, it is rare for anyone onboard a BC ferry to get seasick.

High winds and stormy seas combined with perhaps an overabundance of caution will often prompt ferry delays or cancellations because BC Ferries want to ensure that riders have the most positive experience possible.

The mainland route ferries (Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo) all have full-service cafeterias offering everything from salads to hamburgers to food bowls to seafood platters.

There are also onboard “newsstands” selling everything from children’s “sea-focused” toys to hand creams, souvenirs, chocolates, snacks, as well as some superb clothing.