Vancouver to Vancouver Island

All the ways to get across the Salish Sea

Travelling from Vancouver to Vancouver Island (specially Nanaimo and Victoria) is not so straight forward given the Salish Sea barrier. Use this guide to help determine the best transport method to suit your needs.

Option 1: Public Transit (BC Ferries)

• Travel time: ~1.5 hours
• Clearly the most well known option (for passengers and cars) to get from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island. However, BC Ferries does not operate out of downtown Vancouver but you have several options to depart from the mainland via the following terminals:
  • Horseshoe Bay – northwest of downtown Vancouver: sails to either the Sunshine Coast or Nanaimo (Departure Bay). Note, that this ferry is the official over-water route of the Trans Canada Highway 1. Futhermore, Horseshoe Bay can be reached via public transit with the Translink 257 bus.
  • Tsawwassen – south of downtown Vancouver: sails to the Gulf Islands, Nanaimo (Departure Bay) and Victoria (Swartz Bay). Tsawwassen can be reached via public transit with SkyTrain’s Canada Line and Translink 620 bus (board the bus at Bridgeport Station)
• Similarly, the BC Ferries Connector is a shuttle bus that connects downtown Vancouver, YVR Airport, downtown Victoria, and downtown Nanaimo to the nearest ferry terminal. Pick ups are at select locations within the downtown area. Notably, keep this in mind if you are travelling with luggage.
• Fares: Starting at $15.00 CDN for passenger only
• Pros: Most budget friendly option, multiple daily departures, lots of flexibility to change departure time on day of travel, good for foot passengers and those with bicycles 
• Cons: No direct downtown service, have to take shuttle or transit to terminal
• The gist: Therefore, BC Ferries is a budget friendly option to reach Vancouver Island with the caveat being that you have to arrange for transit to the terminal.

Option 2: Fast Ferry

• Travel time: ~1.1 hours
• If you’re a passenger with light luggage (and perhaps a bicycle) consider Hullo Ferries. Operating as (passenger only) fast ferry service between downtown Vancouver & Nanaimo. Departing at least four times daily (more sailings during peak days). In addition, Hullo departs from Gate 1 at the Vancouver Ferry Terminal.
• Arriving in Nanaimo, Hullo offers a complimentary shuttle bus between downtown and their terminal at the Nanaimo Port Authority, 100 Port Way.
• Fares: Starting at $40.00 CDN 
• Pros: Fast, scenic, direct and great for foot passengers and those with bicycles 
• Cons: No vehicles, be prepared for delays
• The gist: In summary, Hullo Ferries is a passenger only ferry service that offers a convenient and scenic way to travel between downtown Vancouver & Nanaimo.

Option 3: Floatplane

• Travel time: ~20-40 minutes
• Looking to combine luxury with a scenic view? Consider Seaplane / Floatplanes. Conveniently, these flights all operate out of Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre seaplane aerodrome in downtown Vancouver. The airlines:
  • Harbour Air flies to popular Vancouver Island destinations (Campbell River, Comox, Nanaimo Harbour, Tofino, Ucluelet, and Victoria Harbour).
  • Helijet offers scheduled helicopter service to Nanaimo Harbour and Victoria Harbour.
  • Seair Seaplanes offers scheduled service to Salt Spring Island and Nanaimo.
• Fares: Starting at $50.00 CDN (if booked far enough in advance)
• Pros: Arguably the most direct and convenient way to get from Vancouver to anywhere on Vancouver Island. Ideal for commuters but convenient if you’re heading to a remote part of the island.
• Cons: Expensive, weather delays, floatplanes on this route are geared more towards commuters
• The gist: To summarize: A scenic, direct, and memorable way to travel between Vancouver and the Island

Option 4: Flying

• Travel time: ~20-40 minutes
• Instead of departing out of downtown Vancouver, you can also fly out of Vancouver International Airport. However, these floatplanes utilize the Vancouver International Water Airport located just south of the main terminal. Take the free Route A1 shuttle bus to the south terminal. The airlines:
  • Air Canada Express flies to Comox, Nanaimo, and Victoria Airport.
  • WestJet Encore flies to Comox, Nanaimo, and Victoria Airport.
  • Harbour Air flies to Comox Harbour, Nanaimo Harbour, Victoria Harbour, and Victoria Airport.
  • Helijet offers scheduled helicopter service to Hanaimo Harbour and Victoria Harbour.
  • Tofino Air flies to Tofino.
  • Pacific Coastal Airlines flies to Victoria Airport, Nanaimo Airport, Tofino, Comox Airport, Campbell River, and Port Hardy.
• Fares: Starting at $50.00 CDN  (if booked far enough in advance)
• Pros: Good if you have a connecting flight
• Cons: Not as convenient travelling out of downtown Vancouver, gets expensive very quickly
• The gist: If you have a connecting flight, the south terminal floatplane base offers convenient flights to large and small destinations on Vancouver Island.