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Important travel information

 

Travelling between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

Commercial vehicles

For sailings starting October 15, 2025

 

Check in with the ticket agent 30 to 120 minutes prior to scheduled departure


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What you need to redeem your booking

When you arrive at the terminal, provide the ticket agent with your booking reference number or the phone number on your booking.

A fee will be applied to the card associated with your booking if you:

  • arrive after the booking check-in has closed, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure;
  • arrive before the booking check-in has opened, more than 120 minutes* prior to the scheduled departure;
  • do not redeem your booking.

* The first sailing of the day between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay opens 60 minutes before departure.


 

Vehicle type and size

Your booking will only be honoured for the vehicle type and size you booked.

If your booked vehicle height differs at check-in, your booking will not be honoured. If your booked vehicle length differs by more than 5 feet (1.5 metres) at check-in, your booking will not be honoured.

To make changes to your booking, access your BC Ferries account online.


 

Changing your booking
  • Standard: Change sailing up to two hours before booked sailing for no fee. Deferred payment is allowed.
  • Commercial Saver: Full payment at the time of booking. Change sailing for no fee four days or more before departure. Change sailing within three days and up to two hours before the scheduled departure time, for $25 (plus any price difference, if applicable).
  • If you book a Commercial Saver and want to change to deferred payment: you can cancel your Commercial Saver booking and rebook with a Standard fare for $25 three days or less before departure (up to 11:59 PM the night before).

Note: Booking and change fees are non-refundable.


 

Cancelling your booking

Booking cancellations are subject to the terms and conditions of the fare purchased and applicable fees.

  • Standard: No cancellation fee up until 30 minutes before departure. $25 cancellation fee if you cancel 30 minutes or less before departure and don't redeem your booking.
  • Commercial Saver: No cancellation fee four or more days before departure; $25 cancellation fee three days or less, up to 11:59 PM the day before departure. $100 cancellation or no-show fee for cancellations on the day of departure and no-shows.

Check BC Ferries’ Cancellation/Change policies below for details.


 

Sailing cancellations

If you check-in at the terminal and the sailing is then cancelled, we will make every effort to load you on the next available sailing where space is available, however customers with a booking on the next scheduled departure will be loaded in advance of customers from the cancelled sailing.

  • For departures from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), if we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, your fares will be automatically refunded in full and you will be asked to depart the terminal.
  • For departures from Nanaimo (Departure Bay), if we are unable to load you on the next available sailing, you will be loaded in order of arrival at the terminal.

If you choose not to travel after your sailing is cancelled, your fares and any booking fees will automatically refund to your original form of payment. We will also refund any changes made at check-in, which a ticket agent must process at the terminal. View more information about sailing cancellations.

If you are a commercial driver with the risk of exceeding your hours of service due to a sailing cancellation, advise the terminal staff and we will work with you on options.


 

Conditions of Carriage/Rules & Requirements

By purchasing a booking, you acknowledge your acceptance of BC Ferries’ Conditions of Carriage and Rules & Requirements (available upon request at any terminal, any ferry, or at BC Ferries’ head office).

The non-authorized resale of a booking is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries.


 

Health and safety

To support the health and wellness of our customers and employees, all BC Ferries vessels and terminals are smoke and vape-free environments. BC Ferries has a zero tolerance policy for passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol and any unacceptable conduct that can be associated with impairment. The consumption of drugs and alcohol on BC Ferries’ vessels and at its terminals is prohibited. We all deserve to feel safe and respected—violence and foul language will not be tolerated and may result in denial of service.


Transport Canada safety regulation

In accordance with Transport Canada safety regulations passengers must exit their vehicle on any closed lower deck on a ferry that is underway. A closed vehicle deck is a space that is closed at both ends with limited side openings. Exception: ferries in service on the Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale) route.

During boarding, passengers should advise the Chief Steward of any serious medical conditions. BC Ferries staff are trained in emergency first aid; however, there are no qualified medical personnel on board.


 

Loading

Your booking will hold a space for you on your booked sailing. The specific placement of your vehicle on board the ferry is not guaranteed. If you have any special requirements for your sailing, arrive early and advise the ticket agent when you check in—we will do our best to accommodate your request based on deck space availability and traffic volumes. If we are unable to meet your request, you will have the option to travel on the next available sailing where your request can be accommodated.
 

Follow us on X @BCFerries for service updates.

Booking change and cancellation policies

Commercial vehicle

Travelling between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) for sailings starting October 15, 2025

Commercial Prepaid
For travel from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) - sailings starting Oct 15
Commercial and Livestock bookings require a deferred payment to be set up at the time of booking.
The non-authorized resale of a booking or ticket is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries. Please see BC Ferries’ Conditions of Carriage and Rules & Requirements for more information.
The following changes are accepted online or by calling the Customer Service Centre up to time sailing is closed for advance sales:
  • Change booked sailing time and/or date: you may change your booking up to 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
  • Update booking to add feet to vehicle length: this is always subject to availability and can be done up to 2 hours prior to your schedule departure time.
  • Change to bus or standard vehicle type: customers must cancel their booking and make a new booking for correct vehicle type.
 
Changes accepted at terminal on day of departure – on payment of correct Vehicle and Passenger fares
  • Arrived early or late: customer will not be able to travel on an earlier or later sailing without a confirmed booking.
  • Arrived late (bookings with vehicle under 5,500 kg): Booking will not be honoured and will incur a $25 no-show fee. Customer will not be able to travel on a later sailing without a confirmed booking.
  • Arrived late (bookings with vehicle over 5,500 kg): booking will not be honoured. Customer will not be able to travel on a later sailing without a confirmed booking.
  • Remove ≤5 ft.: booking maintained.
  • Remove > 5 ft.: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Add ≤5 ft.: booking maintained.
  • Add > 5 ft.: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Attempt to check in with a non-commercial vehicle: booking lost.
 
Cancellation:
Commercial and Livestock customers may cancel their booking up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, without any fee. If you do not cancel your booking within this time, and do not show up for your booking, a $25 no-show fee will be applied to your deferred payment.
Commercial Standard
For travel from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay)
Commercial and Livestock bookings require a deferred payment to be set up at the time of booking.
 The non-authorized resale of a booking or ticket is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries. Please see BC Ferries’ Conditions of Carriage and Rules & Requirements for more information.
The following changes are accepted online or by calling the Customer Service Centre up to time sailing is closed for advance sales:
  • Change booked sailing time and/or date: you may change your booking up to 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure.
  • Update booking to add feet to vehicle length: this is always subject to availability and can be done up to 2 hours prior to your schedule departure time.
  • Change to bus or standard vehicle type: customers must cancel their booking and make a new booking for correct vehicle type.
 
Changes accepted at terminal on day of departure – on payment of correct Vehicle and Passenger fares
  • Arrived early: customers arriving in time for an earlier sailing, on the date they booked to travel, lose their booking but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Arrived after booking cut off (as specified on the booking confirmation document): booking lost, travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Arrived late (Livestock bookings with vehicle under 5,500 kg): booking lost, customers who arrive after the sailing has closed for loading, but on the day they booked for travel lose their booking but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal. Will incur a $25 no-show fee.
  • Arrived late (Commercial and Commercial Livestock bookings with vehicle over 5,500 kg): booking lost, customers who arrive after the sailing has closed for loading, but on the day they booked for travel lose their booking but may travel on the next available sailing, based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Remove ≤5 ft.: booking maintained.
  • Remove > 5 ft.: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Add ≤5 ft.: booking maintained.
  • Add > 5 ft.: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival at the terminal.
  • Attempt to check in with a non-commercial vehicle: booking lost, travel based on order of arrival.
 
Cancellation:
Commercial and Livestock customers may cancel their booking up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, without any fee. If you do not cancel your booking within this time, and do not show up for your booking, a $25 no-show fee will be applied to your deferred payment.
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