New BC Ferries Route from Tsawwassen to Departure Bay

BC Ferries announced this morning that they’re launching a direct daily sailing from Tsawwassen to Departure Bay in an effort to provide those travelling to Nanaimo with more flexibility.

Currently to get to Nanaimo, Tsawwassen ferries go to Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay ferries from West Vancouver go to Departure Bay.

New BC Ferries Route from Tsawwassen to Departure Bay

From June 19 to September 1st, the Queen of Alberni will sail one way to Departure Bay on its final sailing of the day, departing Tsawwassen at 4:30pm. Bookings for this new route are now open on the BC Ferries website and app.

Passengers travelling to Nanaimo now have two arrival terminal options. With existing Nanaimo-bound sailings from Tsawwassen to Duke Point operating several times daily, and the new sailing travelling to Departure Bay once a day, BC Ferries says it’s more important than ever for passengers to carefully confirm their arrival terminal when booking a reservation. This is especially true for foot passengers, as the terminals are in different areas of the city and transportation options differ significantly between the two ports.

Departure Bay is in central Nanaimo and offers frequent public transit connections to downtown Nanaimo and beyond, while Duke Point is in south Nanaimo and has no public transit options, requiring travellers to arrange private transportation.

This new summer route reflects BC Ferries’ broader strategy to enhance customer travel while ensuring system reliability and efficiency. They hope this sailing will help manage peak-season demand, ease pressure on terminals, and deliver a better experience for passengers and staff alike.

Related: New Seascapes Lounge on BC Ferries