Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)
BC Ferries runs 4 to 6 sailings a day from Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay), the first at 07:00 and the last at 23:10. The crossing takes between 35 minutes and 2 hours 10 minutes, depending on the sailing, and no fare is charged for it, as the return bought at Port McNeill covers it.
Every fare the operators publish on this crossing, for passengers and vehicles.
Passengers
Passengers fares
Class
Operator
Fare
Adult passenger 12+
BC Ferries
No charge
Child passenger 5-11
BC Ferries
No charge
Vehicles
Vehicles fares
Class
Operator
Fare
Motorcycle
BC Ferries
No charge
Standard vehicle up to 20ft
BC Ferries
No charge
This crossing has no fare of its own: it is covered by the return ticket bought at Port McNeill. 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
Both ends of this crossing are small islands off the north-eastern shore of Vancouver Island, and the same BC Ferries vessel that links them also calls at Port McNeill on the big island. The water gap is about 8 km and the passage is booked at 35 minutes. Neither Malcolm nor Cormorant Island can be reached by road, so this leg is what allows a move between the two without doubling back through Port McNeill, which would mean 25 minutes on one boat and 40 on another. No fare is listed leaving Sointula. The return appears separately as Alert Bay to Sointula.
Common questions
How long is the ferry from Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)?
Between 35 minutes and 2 hours 10 minutes, depending on the sailing. The typical crossing on the timetable is 1 hour 25 minutes.
How many ferries a day go from Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)?
Between 4 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 07:00 and the last at 23:10, local time.
Who runs the ferry from Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert 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 Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)?
No fare is collected in this direction: the return fare is paid at Port McNeill. Vehicles travel without a fare in this direction. Prices as the operator published them on 5 August 2026.
