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Ferry crossing

Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)

BC Ferries runs 5 to 6 sailings a day from Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay), the first at 07:55 and the last at 17:55. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and an adult return is C$12.45.

FromCortes Island (Whaletown)
45m
ToQuadra Island (Heriot Bay)

Sailing times

Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay) timetable

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 .

Sailing on

41 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.

Sailing times for Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)
DepartsArrivesRuns onCrossing
07:5508:40Daily45m
09:5510:40Daily45m
11:5512:40Mon–Wed, Fri–Sun45m
12:1012:55Thu45m
14:0014:45Mon, Wed–Sun45m
15:5516:40Daily45m
17:5518:40Daily45m
Coming backQuadra Island (Heriot Bay) → Cortes Island (Whaletown)41 a week · 45m · return from C$12.45

Published fares

What it costs

Every fare the operators publish on this crossing, for passengers and vehicles.

Passengers

Passengers fares
ClassOperatorFare
Child passenger 5-11BC FerriesC$6.25
Adult passenger 12+BC FerriesC$12.45

Vehicles

Vehicles fares
ClassOperatorFare
MotorcycleBC FerriesC$14.50
Standard vehicle up to 20ftBC FerriesC$28.95

Fares on this crossing are returns: one ticket covers the trip there and back, and it is collected at one end only. 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.

About this crossing

Leaving Cortes for Vancouver Island means landing at Heriot Bay and driving across Quadra to Quathiaski Cove for the Campbell River ferry. BC Ferries eases that connection on certain weekday mornings by giving Cortes traffic assured loading on the Quadra sailing; its Quathiaski Cove terminal page names the departure. Whaletown check-in closes five minutes before the boat leaves. The Cortes fare is charged as a return, and no proof of payment is needed for the second crossing.

Common questions

How long is the ferry from Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)?
About 45 minutes on the published timetable.
How many ferries a day go from Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)?
Between 5 and 6 a day, depending on the day of the week. The most run on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The first boat leaves at 07:55 and the last at 17:55, local time.
Who runs the ferry from Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)?
BC Ferries runs this crossing. Tickets are sold by the operator; this site lists the timetable and does not sell them.
How much is the ferry from Cortes Island (Whaletown) to Quadra Island (Heriot Bay)?
An adult return is C$12.45 (Adult passenger 12+). Taking a vehicle starts at C$14.50 (Motorcycle). Fares on this crossing are returns: one ticket covers the trip there and back, and it is collected at one end only. Prices as the operator published them on 5 August 2026.

Other crossings at Cortes Island (Whaletown)

Before you sail

Reading for this crossing

The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.

All guides