I actually really enjoy the ferry - I am back and forth at least a few times a year. The summer is the best time to enjoy the ferry. Nothing beats relaxing on the deck while weaving gently through the islands. On occasion I've seen orcas, eagles, herons, hawks, and all sorts of westcoast wildlife. During the summer months they even have a presenter on board to tell a little about the surroundings and tell historical local stories. This year I learned about lighthouses! Years past I've seen orcas breach, learned about octopus, and seen this amazingly beautiful phenomena where the sea water and river water crashes against each other leaving blue water and brown silty water separated entirely by a tumultuous white line. Foot passenger is the way to do it - it's never too full, and there are buses, both public and charter to get into and out of Victoria and Vancouver. The public buses are ALWAYS crowded, but for $2.50 - deal with it. The food is moderately overpriced. The buffet is OK, but only worth it if you eat a LOT of have a few really hungry kids - last time I checked under a certain age was free! What could make this better? A bar. An onboard bar would make the trip unstoppable. Grab some liquor to discreetly on the way and you're pretty much set. read more

Route: Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo). Qualifications for this yelp: a) visitors to British Columbia; b) comparatively length visit/stay: 10 days; c) the desire to see as much as possible AND be off the road as much as possible; d) areas visiting: Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and environs. The BC Ferries experience: FIVE for sure. Why? 1. We made every effort to prepare an itinerary that was as well-thought-in-advance as possible and with as much opportunity to adjust as necessary once underway. In this case, the BC Ferry from West Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Victoria) fit right in. 2. Online reservation booking, in advance, assured that we would have a spot on a particular sailing. We did just that. Once we arrived at the Vancouver terminal/landing, we paid the additional collections via credit card. Very simple, efficient and pleasant. We were checked in and in line with little distraction. 3. Our arrival at the West Vancouver terminal (Horseshoe Bay) allowed us, also, at least a 45 minute opportunity to walk into the waterfront village for site seeing, coffee, souvenirs. Nice, nice. 4. Onboard: ample window-side seating on the upper decks for photos, food, beverages, even internet connections (if that's your thing). Clean, bright, comparatively quiet and restful. This city to city crossing takes approximately 1.5 hours. We departed on time; we arrived on time. 5. Cost (compared to vehicle petrel): two adults and 1 vehicle - approximately 75.00 USD. This, as opposed to driving from Vancouver to Seattle and/or Port Angeles to make a similar drive/trip/connections to Vancouver Island (Victoria, etc.) Treat yourself (if you can). We did. Thank you BC Ferries! read more

Just by doing extra research about BC Ferriesbefore taking my trip to Victoria, it seemed so much more difficult. Come to find out upon entering, it was Easy breezy... We took our car with 5 passengers = $108 I can't believe how easy it is, seriously! You pay, drive on through, and hang out on the Ferry... Food is a little pricey, so pack a lunch. The ride is nice and smooth. There are activities for the kids. Shopping for the Adults. Awesome times, and you will definitely find me on a BC Ferry again! read more

A Fantastic way to travel all around. I wish there was a light rail stop at the terminal in Vancouver and a more direct ferry route to Victoria, but these are a simple tourist's requests - I'm sure there's less demand for these options from the everyday commuters. read more

I've been traveling with BC Ferries for years and it has always been a perfectly pleasant experience. The fares are decent for walk ons, though they seem to have gone up since the last time I sailed, but not by much. I love the convenience of the self-serve ticket dispensers (debit and credit friendly, oh my!) because they're so much faster than waiting in line to pay with cash, and if you're anti-social or an asshole, you won't have to deal with human interaction or risk offending someone. (lighten up bro) I don't know how long BC Ferries has had free wi-fi on board, but I discovered it on my last trip and was happy to see that they've stepped it up. Other things I love about taking the Ferry in point form: -The outside deck in the spring and summer. The view is incredible, the breeze is warm and inviting, and you can relax with some music if you wish. -The freakin' White Spot. Nobody serves up a delicious and messy veggie burger like these folks, so I'm happy to have them on board because I always know what I'm getting. -The polite, yet stern announcement asking customers to get the hell out of the cafeteria when they're done eating so that other people can sit down and enjoy their meal. -The warning before they blow the horn, so that you don't go deaf. -The little coffee/muffin stops you can browse if you don't feel like throwing back a greasy burger and fries. -The little educational presentation they have on the outside deck when the weather is nice! I've only seen one and it was about lighthouses. -The washrooms are very well maintained, which is important to me because I'm a god damn princess. -The last trip I went on, my ticket on the way to Victoria said I was an Adult Beaver, and on the way back to Vancouver I was an Adult Cougar. I'm happy to sail with BC Ferries any time! read more

Experiences like this past weekend are exactly why I HATE BC Ferries. As expressed in my old review, I have no love for BC Ferries. And with the price increasing with each visit I take to the island, the bad taste in my mouth grows and grows. And let's not forget the ridiculous salaries that the CEO and other employees take home. Things that irritate me: - BC Ferries employees smoking on the outer deck next to doorways, in areas specifically marked "No Smoking". - Expired muffins that are slimy and gross (it was replaced with a fresh one once I brought it back, but still, nasty). - Staff vacuuming under me and my boyfriend's legs as we tried to catch up on some sleep on the way home. - Sad excuse for a burrito. Thanks for the gluten-free option, but this sad looking burrito was small, unexciting, and still cold with slightly warm spots. Really? Come on. The cashier even felt bad charging me for it. I really wish that passenger ferry from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo still existed. Because paying for this kind of service really chaps my ass. read more

After you get over the price of admission, it's such a beautiful ferry ride. I think this my favorite ferry ride I've ever been on. Arrive early because if you don't check in early you could lose your spot. So while you wait there's the gift shop area where you can shop and kill some time, complete with a Starbucks with a massive line. Wander around here while you wait for your ferry. Once you get on the ferry, the restrooms are clean and there are buffets and shopping, if that's your thing. But the main event to me was the scenery. The landscape is simply amazing-45 full minutes of beautiful NW scenery. It's the most beautiful ferry ride I've been on. It's worth the price of admission. Before you arrive, an announcement to return to your cars comes on the loud speaker or just head back when people around you start disappearing back to their cars. Just follow the car in front of you off and the crew's instructions, and you're off to your next adventure! read more

When we arrived early for 6-15 Nanaimo Horseshoe Bay Ferry we asked if we could get on earlier boat We were told we could enter gate but if it was full we would have to leave & would lose our reservation on 6-15. We decided not to chance it & left & parked on street for nearly 3 hours with a boat & trailer. What is the reason we could not enter & if we did not get on just be in line for 6-15 read more

So...you're backpacking through Vancouver and you need somewhere to skin up and hacky sack in the sun, the BCF crossing can be an enjoyable trip once or twice. But if you're forced to rely on the BCF for a long weekend or, god forbid, regular transportation, the BCF is a nightmare; one that lasts for 1 hour and 35 minutes! And that is why I like to fly. The BC Ferries get one star for having Triple-O's on-board and one more for being there when the seaplanes can't cross. That's where the benefits for me cease to exist. read more

Enjoyed my round trip on BC Ferries Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. Is a well run operation. Scenic. read more

Listen to the captain announcements; he'll announce when you can see orcas! The Ferries are the only way to get off Vancouver Island. The do get SUPER busy at high travel times, but their website is great and easy to set up a reservation. The reso requests you get there 30-60 minutes before sailing, which is when you should be there anyhow in my opinion. Staff on the boat and off the boat are friendly and helpful. The Tsawassen terminal has created an awesome food court with sushi, chocolates, gelato and coffees so you can grab a bite before you're headed to Vancouver Island. The only thing that sucks is that the buffet is pretty pricey for what you get - but then again, it's ferry food. The fact that some boats now have a buffet and a cafeteria AND two levels of passenger decks is awesome! I really think BC Ferries has improved a TON since I lived on Vancouver Island and relied on the ferries to take me to the mainland... used to be such a nightmare. (though, at peak times I'm sure it still is :P) read more

The next and only best thing to setting to the Beautiful Vancouver islands (or mainland) other then flying. Depending on what your doing, i reccommend walking on if you can to save the costs of taking a car. If needed you can usually rent a car at your arrival point for cheaper then taking it on a two way trip. That being said some routes (Bowen Island, Langdale) don't charge for the return trip (yay!). Check there schedules online ,and also pre book if it's a long weekend to avoid waiting for up to 9 hours (that is the longest i had to wait one year). Bring food if you can or buy something nice which ever terminal area you are on because the food on board is mediocre cafeteria style and very overpriced. Other then those issues i find the Ferries very well organized to deal with the high volume of daily neve rending traffic. read more

Since there is no other way over to the Island that's less expensive I will give BC Ferries a 4 star rating. If the powers that be would finally build a bridge I would be in heaven but I digress. On my last venture to the island it cost 3 of us $70 each round trip. Then you factor in food. Please be advised to bring your own. The good thing about the ferry is the beauty of the areas it sails trough. Nothing like seeing Whales off the bow of the ship to brighten your sailing day. The washrooms are generally clean and I have never had to wait too long, even on a long weekend. At this terminal there are actually places to shop if you get there early, which you should. If you are driving on I would suggest also making a reservation if you have to be on a particular ferry. read more

Years and years of making this crossing leave me relaxed about the whole process. It's a boat with a beautiful view and it will get you there when it gets you there. While prices have gone up in recent years they are still a great low stress way to get you from the mainland out to the islands... And you can't beat the view of the Georgia Straights. Make sure in summer you keep and eye out for pods of Orcas and Dolphins. Occasional Humpbacks can be seen now as well! read more

Tsawwassen - Schwartz Bay Yes, it's expensive if you're bring the family in the car over, about $110 each way. Yes there is a buffet on board which can cost about $20/person, but it a lot better than the food I remember taking this ferry in 1991. In fact the mini mall at Tsawwassen was added in 2005 while waiting to depart was very nice...got my family out of $50 in souvenirs before we even got to Victoria. Maybe in another 20 years Schwartz Bay could improve their amenities at the terminal. Very organized ferry system, clean ships, smooth sailing, was a joy to take on our vacation! read more

The worst experience ever... there's a line up in Vancouver and we made the 7pm ferry, then on our travels to Vancouver mid way they decide to stop the boat and wait for the lineup in Vancouver... so that lead us to being in a stand still stuck on the ferry for almost 3 hours and finally we are told that we are turning around and heading back to Victoria. Why didn't they make up their minds!?? The amount of incoordination was another level... then to make it even better they made us wait in Swartz bay terminal for cars in the main terminal to leave... and my question is why didn't they phone ahead of time. Figure your stuff out bc ferries please... ur company is horrible and idk how u could've made a mistake this bad. Over expensive and what u get out of it is crap... thanks sooo much for the amazing trip read more

The pricing isn't great for what you get - especially when one lives on an island and need to pay there-and-back anytime they want to go anywhere. I also didn't care for the habit they has of raising prices as gas prices went up but somehow the prices didn't go down when gas prices did. Given their monopoly it's alright. read more

So we're @ Tsawwassen about to sail to Victoria. Problem is we have a reservation to go to Nanaimo! They cancelled that boat due to mechanical failures with no emails to advise us. We 1st booked to leave from Horseshoe Bay but paid to change to this early morning trip because it came on sale for 1/2 price for our trailer. So now they are charging us an extra $70 to go to Victoria instead since that route doesn't have the special sale price. Plus we now face a 90 min drive to get to Nanaimo. The cashier gave us a Customer Service number who says they will give us the reservation fees back but not the price difference. Guess it's our fault their boats keep breaking. We escalated and were told someone would get back to us in 4 -5 weeks! Great customer service BC Ferries! It's time to build a bridge. read more

On the most part BC ferries is pretty good. Sucks when they're late though because I hate waiting. Welcome to summer on the BC coast.

I love the ferries! Especially the modern, up to date ones. I like that there are shops on board that don't sell junk only! I bought my favorite pair of funky silver earrings from there. And the view outside is amazing. On the other hand, the food is horrendous and a rip off. Cafeteria breakfast for $9? Well I would settle for horrendous on the ferry if I'm starving, but what about the portion size. This was a measly breakfast. Why can't you put a bit more eggs!? Half a scoop is 1/4 of what the picture shows the dish to have. :( read more

Of the many modes of transportation we have in Vancouver, BC Ferries are one of the few that I love. I am always excited with the amazing views en route to Victoria from Vancouver. Two hours would go by almost at the snap of a finger. Free wifi on the ferry is a big plus for those who want to keep busy at the workstations where travellers can plug their computers into. As much as I hate fast food, I was quite satisfied with the choices at the cafe. They even have a room for buffet--for the few hungry folks who are willing to pay a little premium. What I don't like are the prices. I feel that $15 for a one way ticket to Vic is quite fair but if you have to drive, it would easily cost $80 or more--they charge $50 for a car and $15 per person in the vehicle. Food on board is pricey; expect to pay about $10 for a plate of salmon meal and a little less for a White Spot burger. And what is up with a terminal all the way at Tsawwassen? I think I would spend as much time getting there as I would sitting on my butt in the ferry. read more

Man oh man. I have a love/hate relationship with the ferry. The love comes from the fact that when i'm on it, I'm usually heading somewhere awesome like Tofino or Juan de Fuca trail. But the hate is because they are so crazy expensive!! A CBC listener put it well...this is supposed to be a continuation of a highway system and no way would you ever consider a toll that high. I'm not saying people shouldn't pay at all, but I think the prices are exorbitant at best. Also, the seats are so uncomfortable. Let a sister get some shut eye without the immediate need for a chiropractor !! Good god. But, at the end of the day, it's kinda like going to the airport for me...just means adventure beckons! And with the right company, it's always a good time. read more

I like BC Ferries. From my limited experience with ferries (WSF and a few water taxis in Chicago), I'd put BC Ferries pretty far up the chart. The ferry I took (Horseshoe-Bowen) was on time. To a fault. We had intended to go to Nanaimo, but missed our ferry by about two minutes. Annoying, but a testament to timetable precision. I'll take it. The crossing was well-practiced, like a NASA mission control crew that's done this a thousand times, but is still ready for anything. The crossing is beautiful. Again, being a landlubber, I was blown away. BC is gorgeous. I only wish I had had the time to take the Horseshoe-Nanaimo route or Tsawwassen-Victoria route. Next time. read more

Took this ferry from Tsawwassen to Namino, the ride was a little bumpy due to a storm they had recently! The ferry we were on though was pretty nice, a lot more expensive though then the Washington State ferries. Had a nice experience with the ride other then the bumpy part, and would go on BC Ferries whenever possible :) read more

Great experience! We travelled from Victoria, BC Canada to Vancouver. It was right on time, systematic, well seated and comfortable. I love the experience! read more

I just took the Vancouver to Victoria and back twice this weekend and was super impressed. I am used to taking the Washington State Ferries, which are ok, but nothing compared to the BC Ferries. They are super clean, fast and the check in and wait times were a breeze. They have a great shop on board for all kinds of books, clothes and tchockies. They even have a buffet and nail salon/massage in addition to the regular cafe. On the second ferry we took they had a naturalist presentation where you could sit out on deck and hear all about the wildlife of the area. An hour and a half flew by. The only drawback was the price. It was vastly higher than what we pay on the WA State Ferries, but it is a much nicer experience. PS: The ferry terminal at Tsawwassen is awesome. They have a whole mini mall with numerous food choices, little shops and a very clean restroom. The metaphysical shop is particularly nice. It's great that they announce the time to go back to your cars for loading well in advance on a clear loudspeaker. So, you can just enjoy and hang out till it's time to go... read more

BC FERRIES SUCK..I hate everything about this company and how they do things, they force everyone up to the passenger deck but refuse to have enough seating for everyone so people are left sitting on the ground. Awful service and an awful company. read more

It gets me from the island to van well, however they have begun this system where instead of pre-booking only takes up 20% of passengers it's now 80%. Obvious money grab. read more

Okay, to be fair - I haven't actually EMBARKED on my bcferries trip yet. So I'll be back to update. But - my experience booking my trip has just been awesome. My husband and I are going from Seattle to Quadra Island, spending a night in Victoria on the way. We had to book 4 ferry rides with a car and a hotel in Victoria. We did it for a bit under $300. The customer service was just AMAZING. I spoke with 2 different women, and they were both exceptionally sweet, helpful and on top of things. read more

Well compared to many other ferry systems around the world, these are not bad. The new ferries are an upgrade for sure. It still feels as though we as locals should get some dort of price break over the tourists. Considering it is part of our trans-canada highway. The views are breathtaking, and if you are lucky you can see killer whale pods on your trip. Plan to get there early if you are taking a car over. An hour before your sailing is average to make sure you get on. read more

DON'T TAKE THE LAST FERRY OVER TO VANCOUVER BC We arrived via public transportation from the airport, well before the 6:30pm ferry, but the lone customer service representative wouldn't allow the 50+ of us to purchase tickets to walk on even though the board was showing the ship was at 70% capacity. There was an additional person at the information booth, whom wasn't able to provide us with any information regarding why we weren't able to purchase any tickets from the counter or the kiosks. We had to wait in line for the 7pm ship to arrive and dock before being able to purchase tickets to Vancouver Island. Needless to say, the ship was like a ghost town. There were hardly anyone on it, and the food was scarce. After being on a 3 hour flight, and over an hour ride via public transportation, I was looking forward to decent options for a late night meal. The soup canisters hardly had anything in them, and they appeared to have been sitting for hours. The natural surrounds of the islands was worth the ferry ride. read more

They know their ferries in BC.. We took the Tsawwassen to Schwartz Bay RT and had a lot of fun. Plenty of room to relax. WIFi is super sketchy...so don't rely on that. Captain announced Orcas which nearly caused a riot, but they were not visible once we all got outside. Easy on, easy off. No alcohol on board. HOT TIP: Get to the Ferry early, shops are pretty neat and full of good food options. read more

BC Ferries used to be a reliable service before Covid but not anymore. They are now regularly canceling ferries last minute. Staff are rude and unhelpful when asking for information or trying to figure out how to navigate cancelled ferry reservation. We found out our ferry was cancelled while en route to the terminal. When we arrived we were told our reservation had been moved to late ferry but should be able to get on ferry before that. I was uncertain and flatly told employee I didn't want to get stuck waiting in line for 5 hours so if I wasn't going to get on earlier ferry I would rather come back later. Well guess what...I didn't get on earlier ferry. Now stuck in line up that is NOT for reservations which I already paid for. No restaurants open. Can't eat dinner. I could go on. Be very careful booking in advance. Absolutely no reliability or help from BC ferries to rectify situation. Why don't they get their act together and ONLY OFFER THE SERVICE THEY CAN RELIABLY ACCOMODATE!!!! I wouldn't use them if there were other options. read more

Every time I travel to Vancouver Island I like to use the BC Ferries! You need to get here early to make sure you get a spot on the ferry. They have a decent restaurant onboard. They also have a executive room where you have to pay a little extra to have access. They offer free coffee and tea. Enjoy the ride! read more

BC Ferries - The Eagle has landed - Public Transportation Near Me - Delta, British Columbia

Lots of available short and long term parking and they are priced reasonably. Very convenient system available to purchase tickets at the counter or self-service machine. The ferry tickets are cheap. I am a regular user and I notice the ferries arrive on time and are well maintained. Staff are helpful and professional. read more

I love this terminal. Lots of cute shops, a decent place to wait! Clean bathrooms. Free wifi, great view on the way! I don't understand all the rumbling here about prices, what can be done? Boats aren't cheap ;) read more

The ferry company has done some drastic changes over the past couple years including the purchase of 3 new boats and renovations to the existing boats. I actually enjoy going on the ferries now. A nice relaxing ride! read more

Ferries are just one of those things you gotta endure. Sometimes it is easy. Sometimes it isn't. I'm writing this while waiting for 2 hours for the next boat. That seems about normal. They've recently raised the prices again. I'm looking forward to going to the cafeteria for a whitespot BC burger, then entering a food coma and forgetting about everything else while I watch the Gulf islands pass by. read more

Nice to relax on ferry before the drive to campbell river:) Such beautiful scenery:) Love being on the big ferry:) Very nice crew,very helpful if u need anything:) I like taking this ferry seems I always get on the one I want without waiting for a sailing now that the ferry app tells u how full it is:) We'll be back:) read more

My dining experience at BC ferries was an employee and her family member who doesn't work at BC ferries in the food service area complaining about the fact that I spilled ketchup, and then telling me about their dying dog. I think it's super inappropriate that non employees are in work areas during covid. read more