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Ferry crossing

Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)

BC Ferries runs 6 to 10 sailings a day from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay), the first at 05:00 and the last at 20:35. The crossing takes between 40 minutes and 3 hours 25 minutes, depending on the sailing, and an adult return is C$13.55.

FromVictoria (Swartz Bay)
40m
ToPender Island (Otter Bay)

Sailing times

Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter 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 . The next one starts , and the page switches to it that day.

Sailing on

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

Sailing times for Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)
DepartsArrivesRuns onCrossing
05:0007:30Mon–Fri2h 30m
05:1507:20Sun2h 5m
05:3007:55Sun2h 25m
05:4006:20Sat40m
08:2009:02Mon–Sat42m
08:4009:20Sun40m
09:1012:35Mon–Fri3h 25m
09:3510:17Sat42m
10:2512:10Mon–Fri1h 45m
14:1014:55Mon, Sun45m
14:1514:57Fri42m
14:2015:02Mon–Thu42m
14:3015:10Sat40m
15:4016:20Sat40m
17:1517:58Mon, Sun43m
18:1518:58Mon, Sun43m
18:3519:15Sat40m
18:4019:20Fri40m
19:1019:50Mon–Thu40m
19:2520:05Sat40m
20:0020:42Mon–Thu42m
20:3521:15Fri40m
Coming backPender Island (Otter Bay) → Victoria (Swartz Bay)54 a week · 40m · return from C$13.55

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$6.80
Adult passenger 12+BC FerriesC$13.55

Vehicles

Vehicles fares
ClassOperatorFare
MotorcycleBC FerriesC$21.45
Standard vehicle up to 20ftBC FerriesC$42.85

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

Around 40 minutes when the boat heads straight for Otter Bay, Pender is normally the quickest of the four islands on this run to reach from Swartz Bay. Some sailings go round by Saturna and Mayne first and can take more than three hours, so BC Ferries' stop details are worth checking before you pick one. None of these island sailings from Swartz Bay take bookings. Otter Bay lies on the northwest side of North Pender, which a short bridge links to South Pender, and the terminal also has bookable sailings to Tsawwassen on the mainland.

Common questions

How long is the ferry from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)?
Between 40 minutes and 3 hours 25 minutes, depending on the sailing. The typical crossing on the timetable is 42 minutes.
How many ferries a day go from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)?
Between 6 and 10 a day, depending on the day of the week. The most run on Monday. The first boat leaves at 05:00 and the last at 20:35, local time.
Who runs the ferry from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter 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 Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Pender Island (Otter Bay)?
An adult return is C$13.55 (Adult passenger 12+). Taking a vehicle starts at C$21.45 (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 Victoria (Swartz Bay)

Before you sail

Reading for this crossing

The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.

All guides