My family and I recently took a day trip from Victoria to Galiano Island. Find out what to expect plus a few tips when you take travel this BC Ferry route.
Check out my recap video below of our BC Ferries ride between Swartz Bay (Victoria) and Sturdies Bay (Galiano).
Reservations are not accepted for this route so aim to arrive at the terminal earlier. However, the ferries were not full in the departure and return ride for us.
There are nonstop and indirect (stops on Pender and Mayne Islands) ferry sailings available to Galiano from Swartz Bay. We took a Sunday sailing departing Victoria at 9:45 am which had scheduled stops for Pender and Mayne Island. However, it seems like no one needed to go to Mayne so we didn’t stop there and just had the one stop on Pender.
If you taking a route to Galiano which has tops, you get a piece of paper which identifies your stop. They arrange the vehicles accordingly into the appropriate lanes on the ferry.
At Swartz Bay terminal, there is Lands End Cafe where you can find Bread Garden Sandwiches and Starbucks Coffee, plus magazines and pocketbooks. There is also a grassy area where you can walk your dog.
You pay for your roundtrip to Galiano when you check-in at Swartz Bay. The cost was $11.40 per adult, $5.70 per child age 5 – 11, and $35.60 for a standard vehicle.
A few more tips about traveling on BC Ferries and some anecdotes about my experience:
When you check-in, the staff person will ask you a few questions about whether you have COVID symptoms and whether each person traveling has a mask.
Face masks are required.
As of August 24, all walk-on and vehicle passengers will be required to wear non-medical masks or face coverings at all times when at a BC Ferries terminal or on a BC Ferries vessel except:
- When inside a vehicle
- When consuming food or drinks, provided physical distancing is maintained
- Children under 2 years of age
- Medical condition or disability that inhibits the ability to wear a mask
- Persons unable to place or remove a mask without assistance
If you are driving on, you are encouraged to stay in your car during the voyage.
On the ferry, food services is available in takeaway format. Many seats on the passenger deck are blocked off. You’ll find hand sanitizer readily available on the ferry.
And while you are traveling on BC Ferries, be sure to take in the beautiful coastlines.
Do you have any tips for traveling on BC Ferries? Let me know in the comments below.
Safe and happy travels!