BC Ferries

Great Ferry system. Super huge can hold up to hundreds of cars. The online website and load tracker is also very helpful so you can keep track of open spaces on the ferry per run. It is very expensive though, almost 100 CAD 1 way in a small car and two persons. The whole trip can easily cost 200 dollars. :(Oh yeah and the wifi is almost non-​existent as well, super slow with lack of signal.

The last time I took a the ferry to Victoria was probably almost 20 years ago so my memory of that is pretty hazy.
What I didn’t remember was how quick and efficient they were at getting all the cars on and off the ferry. We initially got there late which meant we were one of the last cars in the ferry. But it also worked out because we bought our ticket and drove straight onto the ferry.
Coming back from Victoria we had to wait nearly 30 minutes for the ferry. But that’s not my fault so not deducting any stars for that.
The ferry itself wasn’t anything too special. Apparently the buffet is pretty good but we weren’t in the mood for buffet. The café and all the food on the ferry definitely seemed to be over priced but that’s expected when you have a bunch of people held captive. The experience on the ferry was smooth and easy and there was plenty of seating despite being quite full for the weekend.

Everything comes down to the fact that there are really no other forms of affordable travel to and from the island so BCFerries is sitting pretty. The ferry service itself is good although I have attempted to eat at the cafeteria twice and both times have been severely disappointed. The breakfast in particular is not worth any amount of money. The scrambled eggs taste like rubber, the sausages are some sort of oil/​salty goo and the bacon might as well be either overcooked leather or undercooked chewy fat. I don’t consider myself a picky eater but after paying $ 12 for food that is very close to inedible I’ve grown very tired with the food service. Pack some food for the trip and save yourself the $$ and anger.

Good ride, smooth and lovely views. Very expensive for a family to drive on. Would rather have less amenities and a cheaper fare. Food on the ferry is over priced and we could not find many gluten free options, lucky my wife is accustomed to packing her own food every where.

Good ride, terrible wifi. Don’t count on being able to work if you need to.
5 for the ride 1 for the poor wifi

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!

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!

Nice accommodations. Big vessel, on our way to Victoria. If u don’t hear back from us, either;
1. It was terrific and no need to update any bad words.
2. We sank and I was too busy to write.
So sit back and wait and see if I update this! And learn to swim.

I was shocked at the price for a ferry ride over to Vancouver Island (Victoria). I took the ferry over 20 years ago and alot has changed since then. I guess with inflation I shouldn’t complain, but I don’t see how the local community can afford to travel back and forth from Vancouver to Victoria if they had to work on either side. The ferry now is a lot bigger and has a lot of amenities on board. A café, gift shop, a buffet area, an adult lounge to name a few of the amenities. And of course there is free wifi. The ride is smooth and the staff are pretty good about getting people on and off the ferry as fast as possible. There is a little wait to get on the ferry if you have a car. But not too bad at all. If you go up to the deck, the fresh ocean breeze is pretty amazing.

It was a fun ride getting from Vancouver to Victoria. If you are taking your car, make sure to get there early so you can be towards the front. They have a little mall with shops and food you can explore as you wait to board. I was in the front so it was easy to board and got to be towards the front of the ferry so it was also easy and fast to get off at the end.
I was on the Coastal Celbration, which is a newer ferry. On the ferry there is a lot of seating. There is a café and different areas to get food. It is really nice on the top deck to see the view and the have the wind in your hair. It was a relaxing and enjoyable ride and a great way to get over to the islands. Be sure to make your reservations on the internet so you can get your spot reserved.

We took the ferry round trip to Pender Island for a long weekend to visit family.
It was a pretty easy trip both directions. Because we were traveling during the busy season and over a holiday weekend we were able to book a reservation even as foot passengers. It certainly made the ticketing process easy for us. I didn’t understand the transfer ticket process until we were already en route but a women in the café explained it and the process was very seamless.
We had cheeseburgers from the café during the trip over, nothing special — I’d recommend getting food to bring with you if you have the opportunity.
The ferry ride is pretty long but it goes by quick as a tourist because there is so much to look at! We had a gorgeous sunset on the way of and saw whales on the way there and the way back. They came right up next to the boat and put on quite a show. The captain announced the sighting so we all had a good opportunity to get to the deck to see them. The captain was also good about announcing the horn before it went off each time, we spent a lot of time out on the deck so that was much appreciated!

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.

They got an monopoly on motor vehicles getting to the island and back… the service is extremely reliable however I feel there should be discounts for frequent travellers. It’s can get costly if your bring a vehicle over often.
They do have onboard lounge, cafeteria, work station (w/​questionable wifi), arcades and kids play area and typical the news or sporting event on the TVs

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!

I’ve been on ferries in Washington State, Maryland and Scotland, and BC ferries rates as the best. The Coastal class boats are superb, and the Tsawwassen terminal is one of the best anywhere.
I use the ferries several times a year, and I’ve never had a problem with on time performance. The only issue is probably price, with $ 180 return for my wife and I to the island a little on the expensive side.
Overall, no major complaints about BC ferries.

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:)

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)

Unfortunately the sticker shock to take my truck and family onto the ferry to Victoria ($ 115) had left a bad taste in my mouth so we went up to the buffet for breakfast and had another sticker shock. $ 75 holy crap!
It’s a nice ferry and the staff are friendly. Prices are out to lunch though… Wow. I get to pay it again on the way back too! Yay!
For a essential service, it would be nice to maybe get a tourist discount?
Very nice experience for my kids. They enjoyed the scenery!

Great ferry to Victoria. Restaurant on board with pretty good food surprisingly. Averagely priced too, which was a surprise. They also have vending machines with techy accessories in it. It also has a little store so you can do some shopping. Great views on the upper decks. I had a great time with great views.

Ok, so obviously take off a star for the ridiculous fares. $ 88 one way? There’s no reason it needs to be that expensive other than to stuff the pockets of their overpaid executives. Another star off for not having ferries every hour during the Victoria Day long weekend. Really? That’s just plain stupidity.
Everything else is fine in my opinion. Once you’ve boarded there’s enough food to choose from, lots of seating, and they keep everything pretty clean. My favourite though is the adult only lounge, where you can get away from screaming brats if it happens to be one those ferry rides.
The amenities on the Tsawwassen waiting side are pretty awesome too. They’ve got everything from Starbucks, to pizza, to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Sadly the Swartz Bay side doesn’t even compare, with their pathetic little cafeteria and vending machines.
Overall, it’s usually an okay experience.