Swartz Bay (Victoria) to Tsawwassen — Live Capacity & Wait Times
The Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen ferry runs 8–10 return sailings a day from Victoria across the Strait of Georgia to Metro Vancouver — see live wait times and vehicle-deck capacity for each crossing today below.
Live via community BC Ferries API. Crossing time: About 1h 35m.
Today's sailings
Show 8 past sailings
About the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen ferry
The Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen ferry is the return leg of BC Ferries' busiest route, carrying Victoria-area residents and visitors back to the Metro Vancouver mainland. Sunday afternoons and holiday returns are the classic pinch points — sailings often fill for hours and wait times can stretch across two or three departures.
This page shows live BC Ferries current conditions for every scheduled Swartz Bay → Tsawwassen sailing today, with vehicle-deck fill percentages updated every five minutes. If you can see a later sailing has room, you can plan around a full one.
The crossing takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and long-weekend Mondays.
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 Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen 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 Swartz Bay → Tsawwassen route fills quickly.
How long is the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen ferry crossing?
The crossing takes about 1h 35m, depending on weather and traffic in the Strait.
Can I reserve the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen ferry online?
Yes. Reservations for the Swartz Bay → Tsawwassen 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.