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Important travel information

 

Travelling from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

Motorcycles

For travel on or after 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. You will need government-approved photo ID for proof of age as applicable (e.g. BC Seniors).

Bookings will not be honoured 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.

* 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.


 

Change fees
  • Prepaid: Change booked sailing time and/or date for $5 (plus any difference in price, if applicable) up to one hour before booked sailing. 

Note: Booking fees 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.

  • Prepaid: $5 cancellation fee up to 11:59 pm the day before departure; $15 cancellation fee on day of departure, up to one hour before booked sailing. Unredeemed bookings will be automatically refunded less a $20 fee.

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. 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.

If you choose not to travel after the sailing is cancelled, return to the ticket booth to check out of the terminal. Your fares and any booking fees will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment after you check out. Any changes made to your booking at the terminal will also be automatically refunded, with the exception of cash or cash equivalent transactions, which need to be processed by a ticket agent at the terminal. View more information about sailing cancellations.

 

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 BC Ferries 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 specified 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. 
 

Follow us on X @BCFerries for service updates.

Booking change and cancellation policies

Motorcycles

Travelling from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

Motorcycle Prepaid
For travel from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay)

Prepaid

(Travelling from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay )

 The non-authorized resale of a BC Ferries booking is prohibited unless contracted through BC Ferries.
Customers pay fare at time of booking. The following changes are accepted online or by calling the Customer Service Centre up to time sailing is closed for advance sales (two hours prior to scheduled departure):
 
  • Change booked sailing time and/or date: Change sailing for $2.50 (plus any difference in price, if applicable) up to one hour before booked sailing, for sailings that are still open for advance sales.
  • Add passengers: pay for additional passengers.
  • Remove passengers: refund (to original form of payment) of passenger fares paid for those passengers.
  • Remove motorcycle from booking: to change your vehicle booking to a foot passenger booking, cancel your motorcycle booking and rebook as a foot passenger.
  • Change to a standard or overheight vehicle: customers must cancel their booking and make a new booking for correct vehicle type.
  • Change passenger type: pay or receive refund for any difference in price.
 
Changes accepted at terminal on day of departure
  • Arrived early, late or after booking cut-off: customer will not be able to travel on an earlier or later sailing without a confirmed booking.
  • Add passengers: pay for additional passengers – no change fee.
  • Remove passengers: full refund (to original form of payment) of passenger fares paid for removed passengers.
  • Remove vehicle from booking: cancellation rules below apply.
  • Remove ≤5 ft.: receive a refund for removed length – booking maintained.
  • Remove > 5 ft.: booking will not be honoured.
  • Add ≤5 ft.: pay for additional length at standard price – booking maintained.
  • Add > 5 ft.: booking will not be honoured.
  • Change to a different vehicle type: booking will not be honoured.
 
Cancellation rules and fees
  • Cancel up to 11:59 PM the day before booked sailing: $2.50 cancellation fee. 
  • Cancel on the day of departure, up to one hour before booked sailing: $7.50 cancellation fee.
  • Unredeemed bookings: Automatically refunded to the original form of payment, less a $10 fee.
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