Horsehoe Bay (Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Ferry Tickets & Fare Information

Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Ferry Ticket Prices/Fares

The following updated Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Ferry ticket prices/fares are in effect as of June 11, 2026. Prices reflect one way travel, so if you are planning to return, you will need to account for the purchase of a second ticket. All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Prices do not include Port Authority Fees or Fuel Surcharges.

Fare type Fare
Adults (age 12 or older) - SAVER1 $15.00
Adults (age 12 or older) - PREPAID2 $21.00
Adults (age 12 or older) - RESERVATION (Available for Departures from Nanaimo Only)5 $21.00
Children (ages 5-11) - SAVER1 $7.50
Children (ages 5-11) - PREPAID2 $10.50
Children (ages 5-11) - RESERVATION (Available for Departures from Nanaimo Only)5 $21.00
Vehicles Under 20 Feet (6.1 m) In Length & Under 7 Feet (2.13 m) In Height - SAVER3 $44 - $84
Vehicles Under 20 Feet (6.1 m) In Length & Under 7 Feet (2.13 m) In Height - PREPAID4 $89
Vehicles Under 20 Feet (6.1 m) In Length & Under 7 Feet (2.13 m) In Height - RESERVATION (Available for Departures from Nanaimo Only)5 $89.00
Seniors (BC Residents Only - See Note Below) & Infants (Ages 0-4) FREE
Vehicles - Additional Charge Per Foot Over 20 Feet (6.1m) In Length $7.50
Motorcycles $44.50

1. FOOT PASSENGER - SAVER FARE: You must pay in full at time of booking. You can change your departure date and/or time up to two hours prior to your ticketed time for free (plus any difference in fare price). You can cancel your ticket up until midnight the day before for free. No refunds are available on the day of your sailing.↩

2. FOOT PASSENGER - PREPAID FARE: You must pay in full at time of booking. You can change your departure date/time up to two hours prior to your ticketed time for free (plus any difference in fare price). You can cancel your ticket up until midnight the day before for free. No refunds are available on the day of your sailing.↩

3. VEHICLE - SAVER FARE: You must pay in full at time of booking. You can change your departure date and/or time for a $5 charge + the difference in fare price. You can cancel your ticket with a refund 4 or more days in advance for a $5 charge, or within 3 days of your sailing for a $20 charge.↩

4. VEHICLE - PREPAID FARE: You must pay in full at time of booking. You can change your departure date and/or time for a $5 charge + the difference in fare price. You can cancel your ticket with a refund up to midnight the day prior for a $5 charge, or day of for a $15 charge.↩

5. RESERVATION ONLY FARES: Available only for departures from Nanaimo. Pay a $20 reservation fee at the time of booking, and pay the ticket price at the ferry terminal. You can change your departure date and/or time up to one hour prior to your ticketed time for just $5 (plus any difference in fare price). The $20 reservation fee is non-refundable, but applies only once to your entire purchase, not to each individual ticket.↩

Saver Fares - Additional Information

Saver fares are usually available in two different price tiers which vary based on departure time. These fares are available at select times, generally for sailings that are not as busy or not expected to sell out. These include early morning, late evening, and midday sailings during the week, as well as afternoons on Saturday and in the morning on Sunday.

Where & How To Purchase Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Ferry Tickets

Vancouver to Victoria Ferry tickets can be purchased at the following locations and via the following methods:

  • In Person at a Ticket Booth: Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo Ferry tickets are available to purchase from a ticket agent a the terminal. You can pay with a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express), cash, Google Pay, Apple Pay, gift or the BC Ferries Experience Card.
  • In Person at a Self-Serve Kiosk: If you are paying with a credit or debit card, or with the BC Ferries Experience Card, you can use the self-serve payment stations at the ferry terminal.
  • In Person at the Terminal Administration Office: If you are purchasing your ferry tickets with a gift certificate, the only place you can do so is at the Terminal Administration office in advance of traveling. You can also pay with a debit or credit card, cash, Google Pay, Apple Pay or the BC Ferries Experience Card.
  • Online: You can purchase tickets online via the BC Ferries website with a credit or debit card, or the BC Ferries Travel Card. Purchasing via the BC Ferries website allows you to check out as a guest without creating an account.
  • Via the BC Ferries App: You can purchase tickets online via the BC Ferries app on your iPhone or Android. Please note, if you are purchasing tickets using the BC Ferries App, you will be forced to create an account, as you cannot check out as a guest.

Free Tickets For BC Resident Seniors

Residents of BC (British Columbia) who are 65 years of age or older can ride the ferry for free on Monday - Thursday (not including holidays). You must show a valid form of ID (such as a BC Driver's License). Please note, the no-cost fare applies to passenger fares only, so if you are driving your vehicle aboard you will have to pay the corresponding vehicle ticket price.

Check In Time For Your Ferry Trip

To be sure that you do not miss your sailing, be sure to check in at the terminal prior to the check-in cut-off time.

  • Departing from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) Terminal: Check-in begins 120 minutes prior to your sailing time, and closes 30 minutes prior to your sailing time.

  • Departing from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Terminal (With a Reservation): Check-in begins 60 minutes prior to your sailing time, and ends 30 minutes prior to your sailing time.

  • Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Terminal (Without a Reservation): Ticket sales and check-in for vehicles closes 5 minutes prior to your sailing time. Ticket sales and check-in for walk-on passengers clsoes 10 minutes prior to your sailing time.

Pre-Purchases & Reservations

  • Advanced ticket purchases are required for departures from Horseshoe Bay, and are highly reccomended for departures from Nanaimo, as reservations are limited and popular routes and sailing times often sell out.

  • Purchasing or reserving your tickets in advance secures a spot for your vehicle on the ferry (and is required for departures from Horseshoe Bay). When departing from Nanaimo, if you wait to purchase your tickets until you arrive at the ferry terminal, you vehicle will be boarded in the order of arrival on the soonest available sailing.

  • Please see our FAQ's page for more information on what sailings are most likely to sell out.

Ferry Capacity Limits

The ferry vessels servicing the Horseshe Bay to Nanaimo route have limited capacities for vehicles as noted below. Accordingly, if you are planning to drive your vehicle aboard the ferry, please note the boat can fill quickly, especially for the busiest departure times. Purchasing your tickets in advance will save you time (and is mandated for departures from Horseshoe Bay), and will guarantee you a spot on the boat as long as you check-in for your departure at the terminal more than 30 minuites prior to your departure time. With a passenger and crew capacity of ~1,494, if you are just walking-on to the boat, there should be no need to worry.

  • Queen of Oak Bay: 311 Vehicle Spaces

  • Queen of Cowichan: 312 Vehicle Spaces

  • Queen of Coquitlam: 316 Vehicle Spaces