Departure Bay terminal is located in Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The terminal is a 5 minute drive north of Nanaimo city centre. Sailings departing from Departure Bay provide service to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). Visit the Nanaimo Market Quay for a range of food and shopping options.

Check-in times

With a reservation – Arrive at the terminal 30 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Your booking will not be honoured and travel will be based on your order of arrival at the terminal if you arrive before booking check-in has opened, or after booking check-in has closed.

• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles opens 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles closes 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Without a reservation – Travel is based on your order of arrival at the terminal. 

• Ticket sales and check-in for vehicles close 5 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure.
• Ticket sales and check-in for foot passengers close 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure.

Assured Loading – If you have an Assured Loading Card and plan to use it, arrive at the terminal 20 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and provide your card to the ticket agent.

Horseshoe Bay terminal is located in West Vancouver, at the west end of the Trans-Canada Highway. The terminal is a 25 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Sailings departing from Horseshoe Bay provide service to Langdale (Sunshine Coast) and Snug Cove (Bowen Island).

Loading vehicles during extreme tide conditions

At this terminal, vehicles with very low ground clearance or extended overhangs on the rear axle (e.g., buses, RVs, low-bed vehicles) may be asked to wait for a later sailing when the tide is extremely high or low to avoid damage to the vehicle, vessel and environment.

Check tidal conditions before you travel.

Check-in times

For travel to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) with a reservation – Arrive at the terminal 30 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Your booking will not be honoured and travel will be based on your order of arrival at the terminal if you arrive before booking check-in has opened, or after booking check-in has closed.

• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles opens 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles closes 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

For travel without a reservation or on a non-bookable route – Travel is based on your order of arrival at the terminal. 

• Ticket sales and check-in close 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure for foot passengers and vehicles

Assured Loading for travel between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) – If you have an Assured Loading Card and plan to use it, arrive at the terminal 20 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and provide your card to the ticket agent.

Note: Assured Loading is not available for travel between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Sunshine Coast (Langdale).

Transportation from the terminal – Make sure to plan accordingly when arriving on a later sailing as public transit may not be available.

Check here for more information if travelling between Vancouver, Sunshine Coast and Texada Island.