Getting Here & Getting Around

Choosing your mode of transportation is the first step in planning your adventure, and with all our options, you might want to mix things up a bit just for the fun of it.

GETTING HERE

Watching a BC Ferry from Galiano Island in the Vancouver Island Region

There are two main ways to get to the Vancouver Island region: plane or ferry.

If you want to arrive by plane, you’ll find scheduled flights by major airlines to international airports in Victoria and the Comox Valley and to regional airports in Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Port Hardy. Flights from mainland cities are also available to Tofino/Ucluelet. Floatplanes from Vancouver and Seattle fly to virtually anywhere there is water to land on, including coastal communities throughout the region and resorts and activity areas in remote destinations. Helicopter service is also available from Vancouver.

If you want to arrive by ferry, you can do so as a foot passenger or, depending on the route you choose, with your vehicle.

All BC Ferries are foot-passenger and vehicle vessels. Reservations are available up to 24 hours prior to sailings (except for the Little River/Powell River route). The main points of entry for BC Ferries to Vancouver Island are:

• Swartz Bay (Sidney/Victoria) from Tsawwassen (Vancouver)
• Duke Point (Nanaimo) from Tsawwassen (Vancouver)
• Departure Bay (Nanaimo) from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver)
• Little River (Comox Valley) from Powell River (Sunshine Coast)
• Port Hardy from Prince Rupert and Bella Coola

Ferry transportation for foot passengers and vehicles is also available between Anacortes, Washington, and Sidney/Victoria, as well as between Port Angeles, Washington, and downtown Victoria. Foot passenger-only service is offered from Seattle and Port Angeles to downtown Victoria.

Visit www.VancouverIsland.Travel for more information on transportation options and providers.

GETTING AROUND

Once you’re here, if you didn’t bring your own vehicle, you can rent one. Rental outlets are located at airports, near ferry arrival points, and in all major communities.

Scheduled motorcoach service is available from Victoria north to Port Hardy and to the west coast of Vancouver Island with stops in all communities in between. Some motorcoach companies offer tours and shuttle services to and from ferry terminals and airports, including transportation hubs in Vancouver.

Air service between destinations in the Vancouver Island region is widely available and includes scenic floatplane flights to coastal communities and remote recreation areas.

Explore the shores and waterways of Vancouver Island with the MV Uchuck

Marine travel within the region includes island hopping between Gulf Islands on BC Ferries, water taxis, and passage aboard freighters. These exciting freighter journeys include sailings from Port Alberni to Bamfield and Ucluelet, from Gold River to Nootka Sound ports, and from Campbell River to remote inlet communities in the Georgia Strait and Johnstone/Queen Charlotte Straits.

Visit www.VancouverIsland.Travel for more information on transportation.