Travel advisory: Anticipated Adverse Weather Conditions - Tuesday, November 19 to Wednesday, November 20 View ×

Reposted: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

We are actively following a rapidly intensifying storm that is expected to reach parts of British Columbia’s West Coast by Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The adverse weather conditions may impact travel through Wednesday, November 20.

Travellers are advised to check our Service Notices page prior to travel for any possible service disruptions.

The safety of our passengers and crew is of primary importance to us, and we will continue to monitor this weather system and share information as it becomes available. For further information regarding any weather warnings in place, please visit Environment Canada.

For the most up-to-date sailing and departure information, customers can follow our @BCFerries X Account, check Current Conditions or visit bcferries.com.

Read more

Route

Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)

View return schedule

This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.


Service notices

Mondays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:15 am
 		5:40 am 25m

Non-stop

6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

7:05 am
 		7:30 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

Tuesdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:15 am
 		5:40 am 25m

Non-stop

6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

7:05 am
 		7:30 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

Wednesdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:15 am
 		5:40 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

7:05 am
 		7:30 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

No passengers permitted - DG Sailing only.

Dangerous goods only

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

Thursdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:15 am
 		5:40 am 25m

Non-stop

6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

7:05 am
 		7:30 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

Fridays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:15 am
 		5:40 am 25m

Non-stop

6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

7:05 am
 		7:30 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

Saturdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

Sundays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
6:20 am
 		6:45 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:40 pm
 		6:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:50 pm
 		7:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

8:00 pm
 		8:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:40 pm
 		10:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:30 pm
 		10:55 pm 25m

Non-stop



Printable version

Descanso Bay terminal is located on the northwest side of Gabriola Island. Sailings departing from Descanso Bay provide service to Nanaimo Harbour on Vancouver Island.

Boarding is based on order of arrival at the terminal. Check-in closes 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing for foot passengers and vehicles.


Note: Schedules subject to change without notice.

Last updated:  Nov 21, 2024.

Service notices
Current Conditions
Departures and arrivals
Calculate fare

Route

Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) to Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)

View return schedule

Check Nanaimo Harbour tidal restrictions

This is a non-bookable route. Fares are paid at the terminal at the time of travel.


Service notices

Mondays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:45 am
 		6:10 am 25m

Non-stop

6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Tuesdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:45 am
 		6:10 am 25m

Non-stop

6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Wednesdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:45 am
 		6:10 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

No passengers permitted - DG Sailing only.

Dangerous goods only

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Except on Dec 25 & Jan 1

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Thursdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:45 am
 		6:10 am 25m

Non-stop

6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Fridays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
5:45 am
 		6:10 am 25m

Non-stop

6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Saturdays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
6:55 am
 		7:20 am 25m

Non-stop

7:35 am
 		8:00 am 25m

Non-stop

8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

Sundays

Depart 		Arrive DURATION STOP DETAILS
8:10 am
 		8:35 am 25m

Non-stop

8:45 am
 		9:10 am 25m

Non-stop

9:20 am
 		9:45 am 25m

Non-stop

9:55 am
 		10:20 am 25m

Non-stop

10:30 am
 		10:55 am 25m

Non-stop

11:05 am
 		11:30 am 25m

Non-stop

11:40 am
 		12:05 pm 25m

Non-stop

12:55 pm
 		1:20 pm 25m

Non-stop

1:30 pm
 		1:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:15 pm
 		2:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

2:50 pm
 		3:15 pm 25m

Non-stop

3:25 pm
 		3:50 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:00 pm
 		4:25 pm 25m

Non-stop

4:35 pm
 		5:00 pm 25m

Non-stop

5:05 pm
 		5:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

6:15 pm
 		6:40 pm 25m

Non-stop

7:30 pm
 		7:55 pm 25m

Non-stop

9:10 pm
 		9:35 pm 25m

Non-stop

10:05 pm
 		10:30 pm 25m

Non-stop

11:00 pm
 		11:25 pm 25m

Non-stop



Printable version

Nanaimo Harbour terminal is located in downtown Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Sailings departing from Nanaimo Harbour terminal provide service to Gabriola Island.

Boarding is based on order of arrival at the terminal. Check-in and ticket sales close three minutes prior to the scheduled sailing for foot passengers and vehicles.

Nanaimo Harbour Tidal Restrictions
The following tidal restrictions are in effect to prevent vehicles from scraping or getting caught on the loading ramps.

Private vehicles 
Avoid travel on sailings where the tide* is below 1.5m (5ft) or above 3.7m (12ft)

Includes: 

  • RVs- significant overhang or low hitches 
  • Receiver Mount Bicycle Racks 
  • Low/Long Utility Trailers 
  • Low/Long Horse Trailers 
  • Large Under Mount Hitches 

Commercial vehicles
Long loads: avoid travel on sailings where the tide* is below 1.5 m (5ft) or above 3.7 m (12ft)
Low-bed or low-overhang: avoid travel on sailings if the tide* is below 2.1 m (7ft) or above 3.4 m (11ft)

*For tide information see: https://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/en/stations/7917 


Note: Schedules subject to change without notice.

Last updated:  Nov 21, 2024.

Service notices
Current Conditions
Departures and arrivals
Calculate fare
Very weak Weak Medium Strong Very strong password.strength.unsafepwd Too short Use %d - %m characters with a mix of any 3 [upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers & symbols] 8 32 Password must be more than eight characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Password must be less than 32 characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Enter current password Enter valid email address Password not valid Select account type Enter first name Enter last name Confirm Email Not Valid Password must be more than eight characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Passwords do not match Enter valid postal/zip code Loading... Please wait... Stores loaded View schedule from View sailing status from Discover our routes from to