BC Ferries Adds More Than 152 Extra Sailings Between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island And The Sunshine Coast For The Holidays

BC Ferries says it is adding more than 152 sailings between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast over the holidays.

BC Ferries will also be tracking Santa as he arrives in the province - you can follow BC Ferries on Facebook and Instagram starting at 8pm on Christmas Eve.

As of Wednesday, 62 percent of bookable space had already been reserved.

If you are travelling, BC Ferries suggests you keep up to date with any changes through X, formerly known as Twitter.

It’s also suggested that customers with a booking should plan to arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before their scheduled departure.

Walk-on passengers should arrive 45 minutes before their anticipated sailing.

Between today and New Year’s Day, BC Ferries is adding:
• 112 extra sailings between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Victoria (Swartz Bay)
• 34 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
• 6 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Sunshine Coast (Langdale)

Typically, the most popular travel time over the holidays before Christmas Day is Dec. 23 for traffic moving from the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

The busiest travel days over the holidays after Christmas Day will be Dec. 26 and 27, with traffic returning from the Departure Bay, Duke Point, Swartz Bay and Langdale terminals.

BC Ferries is also adding a number of additional sailings between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands.

Due to traditionally low demand on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, BC Ferries reminds customers that sailing schedules are reduced on some routes, so, it’s always best to check ahead.

In 2022, 911,000 passengers and 428,000 vehicles travelled on a BC Ferry over the holiday season, and the company says it is expecting to see roughly the same names this year.

For more information, visit BC Ferries.