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Ferry crossing

Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)

BC Ferries runs 21 to 24 sailings a day from Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour), the first at 05:15 and the last at 23:00. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, and an adult return is C$11.60.

FromGabriola Island (Descanso Bay)
25m
ToNanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)

Sailing times

Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) 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

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

Sailing times for Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)
DepartsArrivesRuns onCrossing
05:1505:40Mon–Fri25m
06:2006:45Daily25m
07:0507:30Mon–Fri25m
07:3508:00Mon–Sat25m
08:1008:35Daily25m
08:4509:10Daily25m
09:2009:45Daily25m
09:5510:20Daily25m
10:3511:00Daily25m
11:1511:40Daily25m
11:5012:15Daily25m
13:1013:35Daily25m
13:4514:10Daily25m
14:2014:45Daily25m
14:5515:20Daily25m
15:3015:55Daily25m
16:0516:30Daily25m
16:4017:05Daily25m
17:1517:40Daily25m
17:5518:20Mon, Thu–Sun25m
19:0519:30Daily25m
20:1520:40Daily25m
21:5522:20Daily25m
23:0023:25Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun25m
Coming backNanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) → Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)153 a week · 25m · return from C$11.60

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$5.80
Adult passenger 12+BC FerriesC$11.60

Vehicles

Vehicles fares
ClassOperatorFare
MotorcycleBC FerriesC$13.80
Standard vehicle up to 20ftBC FerriesC$27.55

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

Descanso Bay closes check-in earlier than the Nanaimo side: ten minutes before departure, for cars and foot passengers alike, against three at Nanaimo Harbour. On Gabriola the terminal is served by the GERTIE bus and a local taxi, and drivers leaving a car have a small free lot, limited to 24 hours, and about 40 paid spaces nearby. Anyone continuing to Vancouver on foot can ride BC Transit from a stop on Front Street, the same street as the Nanaimo Harbour terminal, to Departure Bay for the Horseshoe Bay ferry.

Common questions

How long is the ferry from Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)?
About 25 minutes on the published timetable.
How many ferries a day go from Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)?
Between 21 and 24 a day, depending on the day of the week. The most run on Monday, Thursday and Friday. The first boat leaves at 05:15 and the last at 23:00, local time.
Who runs the ferry from Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)?
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 Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)?
An adult return is C$11.60 (Adult passenger 12+). Taking a vehicle starts at C$13.80 (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 Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)

Before you sail

Reading for this crossing

The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.

All guides