Ferry crossing
BC Ferries runs 3 to 4 sailings a day from Saturna Island (Lyall Harbour) to Victoria (Swartz Bay), the first at 06:15 and the last at 22:05. The crossing takes between 1 hour 5 minutes and 3 hours 37 minutes, depending on the sailing, and no fare is charged in this direction, as the return is paid at Victoria (Swartz Bay).
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.
26 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.
| Departs | Arrives | Runs on | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:15 | 07:55 | Mon–Fri | 1h 40m |
| 09:40 | 13:17 | Sun | 3h 37m |
| 10:25 | 12:30 | Mon–Fri | 2h 5m |
| 11:55 | 13:00 | Sat | 1h 5m |
| 16:25 | 18:55 | Fri | 2h 30m |
| 16:35 | 18:43 | Mon–Thu | 2h 8m |
| 16:45 | 18:17 | Sat | 1h 32m |
| 17:30 | 19:10 | Sun | 1h 40m |
| 21:00 | 22:05 | Sun | 1h 5m |
| 21:05 | 22:15 | Sat | 1h 10m |
| 21:55 | 23:05 | Fri | 1h 10m |
| 22:05 | 23:15 | Mon–Thu | 1h 10m |
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 Victoria (Swartz Bay): 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.
Fares between Swartz Bay and the Gulf Islands are charged once per round trip, and the second leg needs no ticket. From Lyall Harbour, some boats run straight to Swartz Bay in a little over an hour; others go by Mayne and Pender, sometimes changing ships at Mayne, and can take more than two and a half hours. Sailings are not bookable. Saturna also has bookable services to Tsawwassen, though those too usually involve a connection.
Before you sail
The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.
