Effective June 3, 2020
BC Ferries is resuming service on the Nanaimo (Departure Bay) – Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) route as of June 3, 2020.
The route will have four round trips per day, as opposed to the eight round trips scheduled before the route was suspended in early April. The daily schedule will be:
Departing Horseshoe Bay
8:30 am
12:30 pm
2:50 pm
6:50 pm
Departing Departure Bay
10:30 am
12:50 pm
2:30 pm
4:50 pm
In keeping with direction provided by the Province of British Columbia, BC Ferries continues to advise customers to avoid non-essential travel at this time. For those who need to travel, the sailings listed above will operate at a 50 per cent passenger capacity reduction as per Transport Canada. With only four roundtrips per day, the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route is operating at a significantly reduced capacity.
BC Ferries recommends customers make an advanced booking to guarantee travel on the sailing of your choice. Arrive at the terminal at least an hour before your sailing, whether you have booked in advance or are travelling without a reservation. Check-in processing times are currently longer due to the need to screen customers prior to travel. As routes are operating at 50% passenger capacity as per Transport Canada regulations, the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay sailings may reach capacity, including for foot passengers.
Customers who have already made bookings on the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route between June 3 and July 1 will be contacted to advise their booking is cancelled and the reservation fee is refunded as sailing times have changed. Those who wish to book on a new sailing may book online or call 1-888-223-3779. Customers may also travel on an alternative route if possible, such as the Tsawwassen – Duke Point or Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay routes rather than the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route to get to and from Vancouver Island.
BC Ferries’ priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees, and the company will strictly adhere to provincial and federal guidelines during this gradual resumption of service. The company is following the directives and guidance provided by the Province of BC and Transport Canada in making changes to its services.
We thank our customers for their patience and understanding during these extraordinary circumstances. For more information or traffic updates please follow @BCFerries on Twitter, visit our website at bcferries.com, or call us toll free at 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779).
