That's it for today — Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay usually starts back up around 6:15 am. Check bcferries.com for tomorrow's exact schedule.
Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) — Live Capacity & Wait Times
The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry runs about 8 sailings a day from West Vancouver across the Salish Sea to Nanaimo — see live wait times and vehicle-deck capacity for every crossing today below.
Live via community BC Ferries API. Crossing time: About 1h 40m.
Today's sailings
All of today's sailings have departed — see them below.
Show 3 past sailings
About the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry
The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry connects West Vancouver to Nanaimo and is the closest crossing to downtown Vancouver for anyone heading to Vancouver Island. It's a popular weekend and holiday route, with a mix of tourists, cottagers, and Islanders returning home.
Live BC Ferries current conditions and wait times for this route are shown above — every scheduled sailing today, live vehicle-deck capacity, and any full or cancelled sailings, refreshed every five minutes.
The crossing takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. Reservations are recommended on summer weekends and long weekends, when back-to-back sailings can fill up.
Book or check the official schedule on bcferries.com.
Vessels on this route
Ships that typically sail this crossing. Tap for current position and vessel info.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive for the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry?
BC Ferries recommends arriving at least 30 minutes early with a reservation, and 60–90 minutes early without one — especially on summer weekends and holidays when the Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay route fills quickly.
How long is the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry crossing?
The crossing takes about 1h 40m, depending on weather and traffic in the Strait.
Can I reserve the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry online?
Yes. Reservations for the Horseshoe Bay → Departure Bay route can be booked at bcferries.com. Reservations are strongly recommended on summer weekends, long weekends, and any Friday or Sunday sailing.
How often is the live capacity updated?
Live vehicle-deck capacity on this page refreshes every 5 minutes using data from the community BC Ferries API. If a sailing shows full here, it is very likely already sold out on bcferries.com.
Related BC Ferries routes
Live capacity and wait times for related crossings.
Something different at the terminal?
Report what you're seeing. These are traveler reports — always secondary to the official data above.