Island Living Means Boats

In case you missed it: Nanaimo’s on an island, which means getting here is already more exciting than your average road trip. Whether you’re soaring into Nanaimo Airport (YCD), rolling up with a BC Ferries vehicle reservation, or sailing in on your own boat like it’s no big deal, this west coast destination is easier to get to than you’d think. So yeah, we’re on an island… but we’re not hard to reach. (And yes, the views are 100% worth it.)

BC Ferries

Thinking about hopping over to Vancouver Island? Then you’ve definitely heard of BC Ferries. They’re kind of a big deal. With 37 ferries moving more than 60,000 people around coastal BC every day, it’s the go-to way to get here if you’re travelling with a vehicle. If you’re sailing to Nanaimo, you’ve got three scenic routes from the Vancouver area to choose from. Catch a ferry from Horseshoe Bay and arrive at Departure Bay in just about 1 hour and 40 minutes, perfect for rolling right into the heart of Nanaimo. Or depart from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and dock at Duke Point or Departure Bay after a 2-hour crossing. Onboard, stretch your legs, grab a bite, browse the gift shop, or let the kids loose in the play area. It’s not just a ride, it’s the start of your island adventure.

Updates to the System

As Vancouver Island continues to grow in popularity on everyone’s getaway list, BC Ferries is making some moves to keep things smooth sailing… literally. Starting this Fall, 2025, all sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay with a vehicle will now require a reservation. No more winging it at the terminal. If you’re road-tripping to Nanaimo, you’ll want to lock in that BC Ferries vehicle reservation in advance. With increased demand during the summer travel season and on long weekends, this update is all about keeping your Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay crossing stress-free and seamless.

Pro tip? Book early, grab snacks, and enjoy the view. It’s all part of the Nanaimo ferry experience.

Some good news for ferry hoppers: BC Ferries is rolling out an extra sailing to help you get to Nanaimo with less wait and more adventure. While the Tsawwassen to Duke Point route usually brings you into the south end of Nanaimo, there’s a new twist! To help ease traffic and boost access to the Island, BC Ferries is adding an additional Tsawwassen to Departure Bay sailing starting June 19th at 4:30PM daily, bringing you straight into central Nanaimo. That means more flexibility, fewer lineups, and more time to explore. Whether you’re island-bound for the weekend or just craving a Nanaimo Bar where it all began, this added sailing makes getting here that much easier.

Ok, so here’s the recap.

If you’re planning your trip to Nanaimo with a vehicle, BC Ferries is the way to go. There are three ferry routes to choose from, so you’ve got options:

• Tsawwassen to Duke Point (2 hours)
• Tsawwassen to Departure Bay (2 hours) June 19th, 2025
•  Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (1 hour 40 minutes)
  

Vehicle reservations are highly recommended on all sailings, but heads up: if you’re travelling the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route with a vehicle, a reservation is mandatory this Fall, 2025. Trust us, the last thing you want is to miss the boat (literally).

BC Ferries is your best bet if you need wheels on Vancouver Island, but if you’re travelling light or on foot, there are plenty of faster (and stylish) ways to get here. (Scroll back up, we’ve got you covered.)

Don’t Want to Deal With the Hassle? We’ve Got Options.

Missed the boat or just not in the mood for ferry terminal chaos? We’ve got you. There are a few slick alternatives for getting to Nanaimo that’ll get you here faster and with a little extra flair. Hop on a quick flight into Nanaimo Airport (YCD), catch a floatplane for those epic aerial views, or ride the waves in on a private boat or Hullo, our local foot-passenger ferry.

However you choose to travel, there’s more than one way to get to the Island and all of them come with some serious West Coast scenery.

Save the Road Trip and Book a Direct Flight into the Nanaimo Airport (YCD)

Look, we love a good road trip. Windows down, playlists cranked, snacks within reach, and the whole crew along for the ride? It sounds like a dream… until you realize you’ve been in the car for 5+ hours and half your vacation has already passed you by.

So hear us out: hop on a direct flight and be in Nanaimo in as little as 1 to 4 hours. That’s more time exploring, more time relaxing, and way less time on the road.

Skip the long haul and fly straight into the action with direct flights to Nanaimo Airport (YCD) from major hubs like:

Year-Round Routes:

• Calgary (YYC)
• Vancouver (YVR)
• Kelowna (YLW)

Seasonal Route:

• Toronto (YYZ): This route operates seasonally, typically from June through August.

Coming from further away? With easy, seasonal connections from Toronto and beyond, getting to the heart of Vancouver Island has never been easier or faster.

Just Looking for a Weekend Trip? Hullo…

Popping over from Vancouver or the Lower Mainland? Skip the longer crossings and say hullo to a smoother, quicker ride. Hullo is a high-speed, foot-passenger-only ferry departing from downtown Vancouver. You can be in Nanaimo in just 70 minutes. No cars, no stress, just straight-up convenience.

That means more time for all the good stuff: coastal walks, cozy coffee dates, thrift finds, waterfront dinners, and whatever else your heart’s set on.

Hullo can help get you here fast, easy, and scenic. All aboard?

An Aerial Tour and an Efficient Way to Travel? Tell Me More…

If you’re all about efficiency with a side of wow, Harbour Air has you covered. With daily seaplane flights from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo’s harbourfront, you can skip the traffic, dodge the ferry lines, and touch down in the city in just 15 minutes.

Yup. One scenic takeoff over the Salish Sea, and before your coffee has even cooled, you’re landing in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. It’s fast, eco-friendly, and, let’s be real, pretty iconic.

Whether you’re coming for a quick work trip or a spontaneous Vancouver Island weekend getaway, Harbour Air seaplanes turn travel into part of the adventure.

But Wait… There’s More?

Not only does Harbour Air have the downtown crowd covered, but Seair Seaplanes is here for those coming in from just outside the core. With daily seaplane flights to Nanaimo from both their Richmond Terminal and Vancouver Harbour Terminal, Seaair makes it easy to skip the long hauls and fly straight into island mode.

Expect smooth skies, stunning coastal views, and a quick 20-minute hop across the Salish Sea, all landing right in Departure Bay.

Because yes, getting here really can be that easy (and that scenic).

Arrive Like a Celeb? Obviously. We’ve Got That Too.

If you’re looking to travel like a rockstar (without the entourage), Helijet has your name written all over it. With fast, comfortable helicopter flights from Vancouver to Nanaimo, you’ll touch down on Vancouver Island in just 18 minutes. No traffic, no waiting, just pure “main character” energy (in the best way).

Departing from downtown Vancouver’s heliport, Helijet whisks you straight to Nanaimo’s heliport, located conveniently near the city centre.

Bonus? You’ll get aerial views of the coastline, Gulf Islands, and maybe even a few whales along the way.

Because why drive when you can fly in style?

What About Getting Around Without A Car? 

No wheels? No worries. In Nanaimo, you don’t need a car to get moving. You just need a little curiosity and maybe a good pair of shades. Ride-share apps like Uber and Uride have your back, and Evo lets you rent by the hour (just book ahead, no grab-and-go here). You’ll find Evo cars at the Hullo Ferry Terminal and evo electric bikes sprinkled around the city for easy breezy cruising. Want something a bit more commitment-worthy? Modo offers daily rentals when you’re planning a bigger adventure.

Looking for the classic keys-in-hand experience? You’ve got options. Rent from National, Enterprise, or Budget, all easy to find and ready to roll.

And yes, taxis still exist! Yellow Cab and AC Taxi will get you where you’re going, no app required.

Prefer the wind in your hair and some pedal power? Hit up local legends like Hub City Cycles, Pedego Electric Bikes, Rock City Cycles, or Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals. Whether you’re cruising to coffee or coasting along the waterfront, there’s no better way to see the city.

Bottom line? However you roll, Nanaimo makes it easy to ditch the car and still get everywhere you want to be, with a little style and a lot less stress.

No matter how you get here, whether by ferry, floatplane, flight, or your own two sea legs, Nanaimo’s closer than you think and worth every minute of the journey. So book your route, pack your bags, and we’ll see you on island time.