Ferry crossing
BC Ferries runs 5 to 6 sailings a day from Cormorant Island (Alert Bay) to Port McNeill, the first at 06:20 and the last at 21:15. The crossing takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the sailing, and no fare is charged in this direction, as the return is paid at Port McNeill.
Sailing times
As published by the operators. Times shift with the season and are suspended in heavy weather — confirm at the terminal before you travel.
From BC Ferries's published timetable, which runs until . The next one starts , and the page switches to it that day.
Times from BC Ferries' printed seasonal timetables, read into this site on . Seasonal timetables change; confirm with the line before you travel.
41 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.
| Departs | Arrives | Runs on | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:20 | 07:05 | Daily | 45m |
| 09:15 | 10:10 | Tue–Wed, Fri–Sun | 55m |
| 09:25 | 10:10 | Mon, Thu | 45m |
| 12:15 | 13:05 | Daily | 50m |
| 15:15 | 16:00 | Daily | 45m |
| 18:05 | 18:55 | Mon, Wed–Sun | 50m |
| 21:15 | 22:30 | Daily | 1h 15m |
Published fares
Every fare the operators publish on this crossing, for passengers and vehicles.
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passenger 12+ | BC Ferries | No charge |
| Child passenger 5-11 | BC Ferries | No charge |
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | BC Ferries | No charge |
| Standard vehicle up to 20ft | BC Ferries | No charge |
Fares on this crossing are returns, paid at Port McNeill: one ticket covers the trip there and back. Fares as published by the operators, in CAD, last checked . Fares move with the season and, on the busiest routes, with the sailing — check the operator's price for your day before you travel.
Port McNeill is where Cormorant Island meets the Vancouver Island road network, and travellers without a car have choices on arrival: BC Transit's Mount Waddington buses, the Vancouver Island Connector and a local taxi company all serve the terminal. Alert Bay stops checking in cars and walk-on passengers five minutes before each departure, and there is no booking system to secure a place in advance.
Before you sail
The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.
