Preparing for our future

• Starting October 15, all vehicle travel from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) must be booked and paid in advance.
• Drive-up fares and Reservation only fares will no longer be available.
• Book your Prepaid and Saver fare early to secure your spot.
• This change applies to one-way only - Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay). Bookings are recommended but not required for the return trip from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) to Horseshoe Bay.
• You will have two fare options:
  1. Prepaid Fares - book and pay in full at time of booking.
  2. Saver Fares - discounted fares on select sailings, book and pay in full at time of booking.
• Starting October 15, Assured Loading cards will no longer be accepted for travel from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay). You may request a refund or extension here. Extension requests must be received by Oct 15.
• Deck space will continue to be available for emergency responders and Medical Assured Loading (MAL) customers.
• Check-in opens 120 minutes before sailing and closes 30 minutes prior. Early arrivals will be asked to return within this check-in window. 
• If visiting Horseshoe Bay Village, ensure you're back at your vehicle 30 minutes before departure. 
• For flexible plans, consider walking on. TransLink provides direct bus service to the terminal: view schedule here.

• There are no changes to fare options for travel between Horseshoe Bay and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale).
• Schedule adjustments have been made to create more time between peak sailings.
  • The 5:30 pm Horseshoe Bay to Langdale sailing is moving to 6:05 pm in the shoulder season and 6:10 pm in off-peak season.
  • Schedule changes on the Earls Cove to Saltery Bay, and Langdale - Gambier - Keats routes will align the updated Langdale schedule.
• Vehicle staging lanes at Horseshoe Bay will change. Check your lane number on your ticket before proceeding.

• There are no changes to fare options for travel between Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island.
• The Queen of Capilano's passenger capacity has increased to 600, an increase of approximately 150 people. 
• Vehicle staging lanes at Horseshoe Bay will change. Please check your lane number on your ticket before proceeding.
• If visiting Horseshoe Bay Village, return to your vehicle 30 minutes before departure. 

• Horseshoe Bay terminal will remain operational throughout the project.
• Space for vehicles inside the terminal will be reduced by approximately 25%.
• As of October 15, all customers travelling in a vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay must book and pay in advance to travel.
• Space will be available on sailings for emergency vehicles and customers travelling under the Medical Assured Loading program ( BC Ferries Medical Assured Loading & Travel Assistance Program | BC Ferries).
• Foot passengers can continue to travel without a booking.
• There will be some sailing schedule changes between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale (Sunshine Coast) and connecting routes on the Sunshine Coast.
• Traffic staging lanes will be reassigned so check your ticket to confirm your lane number.
• Foot passenger access to the lower-level Bowen Island waiting room will not be available. Washrooms may be accessed via the stairwells / elevator to Waiting room A and B.

What happens to my booking if my sailing is cancelled?

• If you check-in for your booking and the sailing is cancelled, we will make every effort to load you onto the next sailing where vehicle deck space is available.
• Customers with a booking on the next scheduled departure will be loaded in advance of customers from the cancelled sailing. If we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, your fares will be fully refunded automatically.
• If your sailing is cancelled before you check-in, your booking will be cancelled, and you will be fully refunded.
• Review our guide to sailing cancellations, refunds and compensation.

What happens if I miss my sailing?

• If you miss the booking check-in time for your sailing, we will try to get you on the next available sailing where vehicle deck space is available If there is no room on the next available sailing, the ticket agent can provide you with instructions on how to rebook or you can call Customer Service at 1-888-223-3779 for assistance.

Will you still honour Medical Assured Loading (MAL) for people travelling with a Travel Assistance Program (TAP) form from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay?

• A portion of deck space will continue to be reserved for emergency vehicles and Medical Assured Loading passengers. Customers who are not able to make a free TAP booking when travelling to or from a medical specialist appointment, treatment or surgery will still be able to use their Medical Assured Loading letter when they present that and their completed TAP form at the ticket booth, when they arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to a scheduled sailing.

Can I use travel vouchers or gift certificates on this route?

• Customers with a gift certificate, More Rewards voucher, or other travel vouchers will need to call the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-223-3779 to make a booking in advance of travel from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo). We will use your credit card to hold the booking and you can present your voucher or gift certificate to the ticket agent at the ticket booth. Any no show fees will be applied to the credit card used to hold the booking.
• Customers can still book a Reservation Only fare if travelling from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) with a voucher or gift certificate.

Is the change to an advance booking only model temporary?

• The change will be in place throughout this multi-year construction project After the project is complete we will revisit the decision.
• Throughout the project, space for vehicles within the terminal will be reduced. The advanced booking model is required to reduce highway backups, maintain safety and on-time performance, and to provide more certainty for customers.

What other options are available for customers travelling to Vancouver Island?

• Customers travelling to Vancouver Island can also travel from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo (Duke Point). Duke Point terminal is located approximately 30 minutes outside of Nanaimo.
• In addition to our existing sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point, we have introduced a new 4:30pm direct sailing from Tsawwassen to Departure Bay every evening this summer up to September 1, and will be available for travel during peak periods such as Christmas & Easter. 
• For transit customers, Departure Bay provides better transit links for foot passengers and easy access to central Nanaimo and beyond. This sailing also gives customers more flexibility and helps spread demand across the system by offering alternative routes with available capacity. 

What other options are available for customers travelling to Vancouver Island?

• Adjustments to the schedule Horseshoe Bay to Sunshine Coast (Langdale) will also be necessary to reduce traffic congestion at peak times, particularly in the evening, which will improve reliability and support better on-time departures for the passengers who rely on this route.
• These adjustments aim to provide more time between the busiest sailings which will result in the 5:30 pm Horseshoe Bay to Sunshine Coast (Langdale) sailing moving to 6:05 pm in the shoulder seasons and 6:10 pm in off-peak season.
• For Saltery Bay to Earls Cove and Langdale – Keats – Gambier, schedule adjustments will be made to align with changes to the Horseshoe Bay - Langdale schedule.

• Starting on October 15, Assured Loading cards will no longer be accepted for travel from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay).
• Assured Loading cards will still be accepted for travel in the opposite direction, from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) to Horseshoe Bay.
• Assured Loading travel remains available at Tsawwassen terminal.
• If you do not have flexibility to travel on alternate routes, and would prefer not to use your remaining tickets, the following options are available:
  • Request a refund: Be refunded the unused, unexpired portion of your card. A form is available here.
  • Request extension: If your card has tickets that will expire between Aug 7 and Oct 15, 2025, you may request one (1) extension of six (6) months to the expiry date of those tickets. A form is available here. Extension requests must be submitted before October 15, 2025.