Ferry crossing
BC Ferries runs 4 to 7 sailings a day from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Pender Island (Otter Bay), the first at 07:00 and the last at 19:30. The crossing takes between 2 hours 5 minutes and 4 hours 50 minutes, depending on the sailing, and an adult ticket is C$20.
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.
41 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.
| Departs | Arrives | Runs on | Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 10:15 | Daily | 3h 15m |
| 08:55 | 11:05 | Sat | 2h 10m |
| 09:55 | 12:00 | Mon–Fri | 2h 5m |
| 11:00 | 15:10 | Mon–Sat | 4h 10m |
| 11:10 | 13:20 | Sun | 2h 10m |
| 13:00 | 16:40 | Fri–Sat | 3h 40m |
| 15:00 | 19:50 | Mon–Thu, Sat | 4h 50m |
| 15:20 | 18:05 | Fri | 2h 45m |
| 17:00 | 20:42 | Daily | 3h 42m |
| 17:40 | 21:00 | Sun | 3h 20m |
| 19:30 | 21:40 | Mon–Fri | 2h 10m |
Published fares
Every fare the operators publish on this crossing, for passengers and vehicles.
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Child passenger 5-11 | BC Ferries | C$10 |
| Adult passenger 12+ | BC Ferries | C$20 |
| Class | Operator | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle (off-peak, prepaid, 14 Oct 2026 to 10 Mar 2027) | BC Ferries | C$30 |
| Motorcycle | BC Ferries | C$37.50 |
| Standard vehicle up to 20ft (off-peak, prepaid, 14 Oct 2026 to 10 Mar 2027) | BC Ferries | C$60 |
| Standard vehicle up to 20ft | BC Ferries | C$75 |
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.
A thru fare lets you reach Pender by way of Swartz Bay at the direct price, useful when the direct boats are full. Tell the Tsawwassen ticket agent that Pender is your final stop; foot passengers must see an agent because the self-serve kiosks do not sell thru fares. You receive a voucher and a hanger for the rear-view mirror, and staff try to park thru-fare cars in lanes that unload early at Swartz Bay. There, show the voucher at the ticket booth for the Pender sailing.
Before you sail
The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.
