Posted: Friday, April 18, 2025
Easter Long Weekend
April 18 – April 21, 2025
Easter long weekend is a popular time for travel on the coast. Busy travel days are expected from Friday, April 18 through Monday, April 21 on the following routes:
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay)
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
• Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
• Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale)
• Vancouver Island – Gulf Islands
Historically, the most popular day to travel from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast is Friday, from our Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. Monday is typically the most popular day for travel back to the Lower Mainland.
Customers planning to travel with a vehicle without a reservation should be prepared for sailing waits during popular times to travel. If reservations are sold out, the best option to avoid sailing waits is to travel during less busy times, typically mid-week days and early morning or late evening sailings, or walk on board.
Click here to view Travel Tips and here for Service Notices.
We look forward to welcoming you on board this Easter Long Weekend.
For schedule information and bookings, visit bcferries.com. For up-to-date travel information, check Current Conditions and follow @BCFerries on Twitter.
Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)
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), Snug Cove (Bowen Island) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
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.
ATM
Vending machine
Picnic area
Wi-Fi
