Getting Here & Getting Around

Ferry Crossing Times

Please note that the following BC Ferries routes accept both vehicle and walk-on passengers.

Driving Times

Highway 101, also known as the Sunshine Coast Highway, is the main highway to all communities in the region. You can check current conditions on the DriveBC website.

*A water taxi or small passengers-only ferry is required to get to most islands on the Sunshine Coast. 
 

Planning to travel with an electric vehicle? Check out our blog post about travelling to the Sunshine Coast with an electric vehicle.

Planning to bring your vehicle?

To bring your vehicle to the Sunshine Coast, you must take a car ferry via BC Ferries’ scheduled service for vehicles and pedestrians from either Vancouver (to Gibsons) or Vancouver Island (to Powell River). These ferries take all vehicles (including bicycles) as well as foot passengers, and pets are welcome, too. Check the BC Ferries website for information on fares, schedules, ship amenities, and services.

Reservations are available, but not required, on most Sunshine Coast sailings to and from Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Part of the ship is always available on a first-come, first-served basis. Extra sailings are added during peak periods, but reservations can be very helpful during the summer and holidays when you want to sail at a specific time and avoid waits at the terminal.

Once you're on the Sunshine Coast, BC Ferries also provides transportation to Texada Island, Keats Island, Gambier Island, and between the north and south sections of the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove to Saltery Bay).

You can find up-to-date webcam footage of the current conditions at each terminal, along with the arrival and departure times of each boat throughout the day.
 

Planning to travel by bus, bike, or on foot?

As mentioned above, you can utilize BC Ferries’ scheduled service as a walk on passenger (pedestrian) and bring a bike as well.

There are also other transit options available to you, including the Sunshine Coast Connector (operating seasonally)—a convenient bus service between downtown Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast (all the way up to Powell River) via select BC Ferry sailings. Translink also provides ample service allowing travellers to easily connect from metro Vancouver via the SkyTrain & public bus connections to get to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal or the float plane terminals. Translink service between Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay via the 257 Horseshoe Bay Express or 250 Horseshoe Bay routes will be your go-to options—just be sure to check ahead for ferry departure times to ensure you make your connection, and take into account that buses may not always be exactly on time.

Never travelled with your bike on the ferry? Not to worry! This short video will tell you all you need to know about loading and unloading, as well as where to store your bike during the ride.

Cyclists can buy their tickets at the foot passenger ticket office in Horseshoe Bay—be sure to let them know you are a cyclist. The bike will add an extra $2 to your foot passenger cost. You should then be given directions to the security gate across the street from the ticket office. Walk your bike to the gate and follow signs to the berth. There is a small waiting area for cyclists.

Bikes are loaded before the vehicles. Watch for directions from staff. You will be asked to walk your bike across the loading ramp, and can mount the bike in a rack once you’re on the main ferry deck.

If you don’t plan to bring a car, skip the boat altogether with a short flight. Not only is flying quick and convenient, but it’s a beautiful way to experience more of the Sunshine Coast’s landscape.

Flying from Vancouver?
You can fly direct from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Powell River via Pacific Coastal Airlines or to Sechelt via Sunshine Coast Air or Fly! Coastal . You can also fly straight from downtown Vancouver to Powell River with Harbour Air.

Flying from Vancouver Island?
Both Sunshine Coast Air  and Harbour Air operate regular floatplane flights from Victoria and Nanaimo to Sechelt. Pacific Coastal Airlines operates regular flights from Victoria to Powell River.

Flying from the United States?
Kenmore Air offers seasonal floatplane flights from Washington State to Sunshine Coast destinations such as Desolation Sound, and Harbour Air flies from Seattle (Lake Union) to downtown Vancouver, where you can then catch a flight to Sechelt or Powell River. 

The Sunshine Coast is home to a variety of marinas, as well as plenty of beautiful anchorages. Come and discover vibrant communities and bucket list-worthy boating destinations such as Desolation Sound and Princess Louisa Inlet.

Visit the AhoyBC website to start charting your course. 

BC Transit offers regular bus transit service on the Southern Sunshine Coast between the BC Ferries terminal in Langdale and Halfmoon Bay, including many stops in between in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, & Sechelt.  BC Transit also provides service on the Northern Sunshine Coast, with service throughout the town of Powell River, and limited service to Lund, Stillwater, and occasionally Saltery Bay. Be sure to check schedules when planning your trip. Buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bike racks. You can find a bus route map below.

A DayPASS for the bus can be purchased on the ferry at the gift shop, as well as at a number of other locations on the Sunshine Coast.
Northern Sunshine Coast fares & where to buy | Southern Sunshine Coast fares & where to buy
 

Southern Sunshine Coast Route Map

Northern Sunshine Coast Route Map

*Please note that if you are planning a trip to the Coast without a car and are hoping to explore to the North Coast, there is no public transit past Halfmoon Bay. If you are without a car the Sunshine Coast Connector can help you on your way to the Northern Sunshine Coast. There is public transit once you arrive in Powell River as well as the new Zunga Bus, a new pilot on-demand transit service operated by the City of Powell River. It’s open to anyone and offers fast, fun, easy travel.
 

Another option for those travelling by bus is to take the Sunshine Coast Connector, which operates a convenient bus service between downtown Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast through to Powell River via select ferry sailings.

Coast Journey Bus Charters & Tours has a 23-passenger luxury bus, a 7-passenger luxury SUV, and a 5-passenger vintage Hudson to help you with your transportation needs on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Shuttle is based in Powell River. They can shuttle guests to just about any location on the Northern Sunshine Coast that is reasonably accessible by 4×4 vehicles, including Sunshine Coast Trail access points.

Coast Taxi operates on both the Southern (Sechelt and Gibsons) and Northern Sunshine Coast (Powell River). Rides can be booked by calling or by pre-booking in Coast Taxi's Taxicaller App. 

Sunshine Coast’s first ride-hailing + delivery service, Coastal Rides provides a safe and affordable transportation option on the Sunshine Coast from Port Melon, Langdale and Gibsons on the south coast to Powell River and Lund on the North coast, and all points in between.

Interested in car sharing? The Coast Car Co-Op car sharing service on the South Coast has membership options for regular visitors. Save the ferry fees and pick up a car when you’re here, just when you need it. Coast Car Co-op also maintains two vehicles in the long term parking lot at the Langdale ferry terminal as part of an ongoing partnership with Modo.

The Sunshine Coast also has its first vehicles listed on Turo, a car sharing marketplace. The vehicles are currently available in the Powell River, Sechelt, and Gibsons areas.

If you plan to explore the Sunshine Coast on two wheels, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind to ensure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible! If you are disembarking with your bike from the ferry, you will be riding on the road alongside the cars. It is often a good idea to pull to the side and wait until the bulk of the vehicles have offloaded, especially if you are not comfortable riding in close quarters with cars and trucks. This is true regardless of the ferry you are on.

Once you have firmly arrived on land, there are many opportunities to explore. Check out our cycling page for more info on routes and bike shops. You can also rent e-bikes and scooters in Gibsons from Scotty’s Rentals, adding some extra excitement to your travels. Some of the roads can be quite narrow, so please make sure to wear your helmet and familiarize yourself with some safe cycling tips from Bike Sense.

There are a number of locations on the Sunshine Coast that are only accessible by boat. Making a reservation for water taxis and boat service ahead of time is recommended.

Walk-on transportation to Gambier Island and Keats Island is provided by BC Ferries from the Langdale Ferry Terminal near Gibsons. On the northern section of the Sunshine Coast, BC Ferries operates a car ferry route from the Westview Ferry Terminal (Powell River) to Blubber Bay on Texada Island.

Gibsons Harbour Ferry and Sunshine Coast Water Taxi offer service from Gibsons to Gambier Island and Keats Island. If you’re heading to Thormanby Island, both Buccaneer Marina and Thormanby Transportation provide water taxi service.

If you're heading to Savary Island, Cortes Island, Sarah Point (start of the Sunshine Coast Trail) or Desolation Sound you can catch a ride with operators such as Savary Island Ferry,  Lund Water Taxi, and Terracentric Coastal Adventures. 

Ground transportation to and from all water taxi services is available via Coastal Rides on both the northern and southern sections of the Sunshine Coast. You can book your transfer to any of these operators from anywhere on the Sunshine Coast including: Sechelt Airport; Harbour Air and Sunshine Coast Air Terminal in Sechelt; Powell River Airport; any BC Ferries Terminal; or even your local accommodation.