B.C. Ferries has put 44 extra sailings on between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen to manage heavy traffic during the Canada Day long weekend, traditionally the second-busiest of the year.
Queen of Alberni began service June 20 as a supplemental vessel during the summer between Duke Point and Tsawwassen. It runs daily, making two round trips.
“Heading into this long weekend, all of our 37 vessels are in service, so we can run more sailings,” said B.C. Ferries spokesperson Ceilidh Marlow.
The Horseshoe Bay terminal for travellers going to Departure Bay was full for drive-up traffic for the rest of the day as of mid-afternoon Friday.
During this weekend, the corporation expects that between Saturday and Tuesday it will carry more than 530,000 passengers and 195,000 vehicles,
Thursday and Friday are the most popular days for travel from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, while Monday is the most popular day for travel back to Metro Vancouver.
Anyone travelling this weekend should plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes in advance for a reservation and at least 45 minutes for a walk-on.
Reservations were essentially sold out Friday from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island, Marlow said.
B.C. Ferries is recommending that customers book ahead this summer to avoid waits.
As of early evening Friday reservations were sold out on several Saturday sailings out of Tsawwassen and out of Swartz but there were still sailing not fully booked as well.
For travel updates, check B.C. Ferries’ website at bcferries.com/current-conditions or follow @bcferries on X.
