B.C. Ferries has travelling suggestions for this holiday season, when it expects to carry more than 900,000 passengers and 400,000 vehicles.
More than 150 additional sailings have been scheduled between Vancouver Island, metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
Between Thursday and Jan. 1, B.C. Ferries is adding 112 extra sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, and 34 extra sailings between Departure Bay in Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay, plus six extra sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast.
So far, 62 per cent of bookable space is reserved, the company said Wednesday.
B.C. Ferries says Dec. 23 — Saturday this year — is typically the busiest pre-Christmas travel day, followed by Dec. 26 and 27 post-Christmas.
It says demand is normally low on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, when some sailing schedules are reduced.
The company recommends travellers check the status of sailings on its website at bcferries.com, and watch @BCFerries on X for updates.
B.C. Ferries also suggests arriving early at terminals — 45 to 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time for those with reservations, 45 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.
Those without a booking should expect sailing waits at popular times, it said. B.C. Ferries recommends travelling at less-busy times — typically early-morning or late-evening sailings mid-week.
It also suggests that travellers consider carpooling, boarding as a foot passengers or taking public transit, as deck space for vehicles fills up quickly.
Parking at terminals also fills up quickly during busy times. Watch for updates on social media.
To track Santa as he arrives in B.C. with the help of Captain Kelp, a B.C. reindeer equipped with a camera, go to B.C. Ferries’ Facebook page starting at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
