For Immediate Release
23-047
December 20, 2023

A FESTIVE SAILING EXPERIENCE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

VICTORIA – Wherever customers are travelling for the holidays, BC Ferries wants to get you there safely and with some holiday spirit. If you are travelling with us over the holidays, you’ll walk into a Winter Wonderland with seasonal displays, festive trees, limited-time holiday dessert items, and holiday promotions in Passages Gift Shop.

BC Ferries will also be tracking Santa as he arrives in B.C. Follow @BCFerries on Facebook and Instagram starting at 8pm on Christmas Eve and, with the help of Captain Kelp, a B.C. reindeer equipped with a camera, we’ll be looking to the skies to capture the magic that starts to unfold throughout the coast.

To help ensure our passengers can best enjoy their holiday travel, BC Ferries is adding more than 152 extra sailings between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Already, customers are being proactive in finalizing their plans with 62 per cent of bookable space now reserved.

Getting your desired travel times locked in doesn’t have to take a holiday miracle though – there are a number of things people can do now and on the day they’re sailing with us to make their trip as festive and relaxing as possible.

Holiday Travel Tips
 

• Check Current Conditions and All Routes at a Glance for the status of your sailing on your day of travel. Follow @BCFerries on X for regular updates, seven days a week.
• Arrive early – Customers with a booking should plan to arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before their scheduled departure. Walk-on passengers should arrive 45 minutes before their anticipated sailing. Please refer to current conditions and plan accordingly.
• Expect sailing waits at popular times as they’re common during popular travel periods for customers without a booking. If your preferred bookings are sold out, the best option to avoid sailing waits is to travel during less busy times. These are typically mid-week days and early morning or late evening sailings.
• Ride-share, if possible – Customers are encouraged to carpool or travel as a foot passenger. Vehicle deck space fills up quickly.
• Travel the coast car free - Take public transit to and from major terminals. For schedule information visit TransLink or BC Transit.
• Consider parking options – Parking lots at the major terminals fill up quickly at peak periods. If possible, choose public transit or arrange to be dropped off at the terminal to avoid traffic congestion. When parking lots fill up, BC Ferries informs customers on our website and via X @BCFerries.
• Be prepared for winter conditions - stay updated with road conditions by following @DriveBC and dress for cold and wet weather including appropriate footwear to avoid slips, trips and falls.
• For full schedule information, current conditions, bookings, and promotional offers, please visit bcferries.com.

 
Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)
 
Between Thurs., Dec. 21 and Mon., Jan. 1, BC Ferries is adding:
 

• 112 extra sailings between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Victoria (Swartz Bay)
• 34 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
• 6 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Sunshine Coast (Langdale)

Typically, the most popular travel time over the holidays before Christmas Day is Dec. 23 for traffic moving from the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The most popular travel days over the holidays after Christmas Day will be Dec. 26 and 27, with traffic returning from the Departure Bay, Duke Point, Swartz Bay and Langdale terminals. BC Ferries is also adding a number of additional sailings between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Due to traditionally low demand on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, BC Ferries reminds customers sailing schedules are reduced on some routes. Please check individual schedules online while making your holiday travel plans.

In 2022, 911,000 passengers and 428,000 vehicles travelled on a BC Ferry over the season, and the company is ready to transport similar numbers this year.