BC Ferries: Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo as a Foot Passenger - Complete Guide
Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo as a foot passenger: reaching the terminal without a car, what the crossing is like, and the onward connections.
If you are planning to visit Vancouver Island, and you don't want to drive, my handy short guide will get you from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo, which is a great jumping off point for the Island. There's a couple of options. Hullo Ferry offers speed from downtown Vancouver (but the Nanaimo terminal has few connections) and Pacific Coastal Airlines will get you to one or other of the Island Airports quickly (if there's no fog).
I've taken both of those routes, but there's something magical about the BC Ferries trip from Horseshoe Bay near Vancouver to Departure Bay, Nanaimo that makes the journey extremely memorable. It's right up there with New Zealand's Interislander for views! The voyage across the Strait of Georgia is a roughly 1 hour 40 minute trip that sets the tone for your entire Vancouver Island adventure: the nature views can be stunning.
Essential Vancouver Island Resources
- Official BC Ferries Booking - Reserve BC Ferries Tickets - Book ahead for guaranteed space, especially in summer
- Vancouver Island Accommodation - Tigh na Mara Resort - Stunning oceanfront resort where I've stayed twice now (the local bus will drop you and it's from $200/night).
Why Choose the Horseshoe Bay Route
BC Ferries offers two routes to Vancouver Island. I'm recommending the one from Horseshoe Bay, but the other goes from Tsawwassen. I think Horseshoe Bay makes sense for most foot passengers:
- Direct bus connection from downtown Vancouver: The #257 Express Bus runs every 30 minutes from Georgia Street, taking about 50 minutes to the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay with no transfers needed. Compare this to Tsawwassen, which requires both SkyTrain and bus connections if you're using public transport.
- Better onward connections at Nanaimo: All the main Island bus services (BC Transit's Route 20 to downtown Nanaimo, Island Link Bus to Campbell River, VI Connector to Victoria) depart from or near Departure Bay terminal. Duke Point, where the Tsawwassen ferry arrives, has no public transport connections.
- Shorter crossing time: At 1 hour 40 minutes, the Horseshoe Bay route is 20 minutes faster than the Tsawwassen route.
The scenic approach to Horseshoe Bay from downtown Vancouver is pretty spectacular too, winding through West Vancouver with glimpses of the water ahead. Try to get a window seat on the bus!
Getting to Horseshoe Bay Terminal
Boarding the ferry at Horseshoe Bay
Let's go over that bus route from downtown Vancouver in a bit more detail. From downtown Vancouver, take the #257 Express Bus (Horseshoe Bay Express) from Georgia Street. I usually stay at a hotel downtown anyway, and most popular options are a 10 minute walk from the bus stop. Buses run every 30 minutes during peak times, more frequently in summer. The journey takes about 50 minutes and costs around $4. You should be able to get a seat.
The bus drops you right outside the ferry terminal (you need to know this for the return route too!). Check-in and the bag-drop are at the front of the building, but be prepared for quite a walk to get to the Waiting Area. In winter, it can feel a bit cold, so pack a jacket even if Vancouver felt mild when you left your hotel.
When you're boarding, you may have to walk onto the car deck (see the picture above) and that can be a bit slippery, especially with bags. Be warned!
Booking Your BC Ferries Crossing
There is no rule for foot passengers to book their ferry ticket ahead, but you should definitely do it in high season (May-September) or during holiday weekends. Just to be sure to be sure!
2025 fares (one-way):
| Passenger | Fare |
|---|---|
| Adults | $20 |
| Children (5-11) | $10 |
| Under 4 | Free |
| BC Seniors (65+) | Free (certain routes, times) |
Certain crossings, such as very early morning routes, attract super-saver fares. You can book online at bcferries.com, and there's no additional fee for advance foot passenger reservations. Sometimes the system will show that no advanced bookings are available, but this doesn't mean the ferry is full. You should still be able to turn up and buy tickets at the terminal.
The Ferry Experience
The front seats get a great view on BC Ferries
Once you board, head straight to the forward seating area with the large windows. This is where you'll get the best views of the British Columbia coastline as you leave Horseshoe Bay. The approach when returning is equally stunning, whatever I'm doing, I'll just pause to watch.
Travel Tip: The café gets really busy immediately after boarding, so either queue up right away or wait about 30 minutes for the rush to calm down. The sandwiches are not great, but the hot food is better. I tend to stock up at the IGA downtown before leaving Vancouver .
If you're intending to work, look out for the small desks near the cafe in the side corridors.
But here's what separates BC Ferries from Hullo: you can go outside. The outdoor viewing areas are where the magic happens: I've never been on board this route when people weren't going out with their cameras to try to capture the scenery (it's best experienced rather than photographed).
Arriving at Departure Bay, Nanaimo
The Departure Bay terminal is just north of downtown Nanaimo, about a 5-minute drive or short bus ride. BC Transit buses stop outside the terminal, and I think taxis are always right there too.
If you're travelling to other parts of Vancouver Island:
- To Campbell River - the Island Link Bus runs about 7 times daily, takes around 2 hours, and costs $55 one-way (to Campbell River). The drivers are incredibly friendly and will drop you at or near specific hotels or resorts (like Tigh na Mara, where I've stayed twice).
- To Victoria - VI Connector operates several daily services, journey time about 2.5 hours.
- To Tofino/Ucluelet - Multiple daily connections via Parksville, total journey 3-5 hours depending on connections (Tofino Bus is part of VI Connector).
The good news is all the bus services align with incoming BC Ferries, so you won't be waiting around the terminal for hours.
Practical Tips for Foot Passengers
- Weather: BC Ferries has fewer cancellations than Hullo due to larger, more stable vessels, but severe weather can still cause delays. Check the website before travelling.
- Seasonal sailing: I've travelled both summer and winter and found the crossing comfortable and stable year-round.
- Luggage: Bags of up to 23kg should be tagged and dropped off (the service is free). Anything over 23kg? You'll have to bring it on board yourself.
- Pets: Pets are allowed, but only in designated pet areas (more details here).
- Best seating: Forward-facing seats with large windows for views; outdoor decks for the full experience.
More on the Tsawwassen Route
I always recommend Horseshoe Bay for the reasons above, but the alternative Tsawwassen to Duke Point route might work well for you, particularly if you're staying in southern Vancouver neighbourhoods or you're getting picked up at Duke Point.
To reach Tsawwassen from downtown Vancouver, take the Canada Line SkyTrain south to Bridgeport Station (about 17 minutes), then connect to the #620 bus direct to the ferry terminal (36 minutes). Total journey time is around 1 hour 20 minutes, and while it involves a transfer, both connections are reliable and step-free with luggage.
The crossing itself takes about 2 hours, which is 20 minutes longer than Horseshoe Bay, and the ferry will arrive at Duke Point, 20 minutes south of Nanaimo city centre. As I've mentioned, the main drawback is a lack of public transport from Duke Point terminal. You'll need a taxi (which could cost $30-40 to downtown Nanaimo) or a pre-arranged pickup to reach the main bus connections for onward Island travel.
If you've got someone collecting you, Duke Point can work well. But for foot passengers like me relying on public transport, the Horseshoe Bay route's direct bus connections at Departure Bay make much more practical sense.