With many travellers making Easter a four-day weekend, travel between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland is among the busiest on BC Ferries, making it a potentially stressful endeavour.
To be ready, the corporation offers tips to for those making the voyage, including booking in advance, avoiding peak travel times, walking on board rather than driving, and arriving at the terminal prepared.
Reservations are almost a requirement most days of the week on the larger BC Ferries routes. This long weekend is no different, particularly between Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo), and Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
The most popular travel times are usually Thursday afternoon, Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, with lots of travellers departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals.
BC Ferries anticipates the highest demand coming to the Island, with peak travel leaving the Lower Mainland expected April 17 and 18, with volume on the return trips April 20 and 21.
With limited space, the agency also recommends considering walking aboard, or considering alternate routes.
As of Wednesday (April 16) reservations remained available on off-peak days and early morning and late evening sailings for travel between North Saanich (Swartz Bay) or Nanaimo (Duke Point) and Tsawwassen.
Travellers are encouraged to check the Current Conditions page to know what to expect at the terminal.
Foot passengers can also book tickets in advance. With more people walking on, parking lots also fill up during high travel times.
There is also a BC Ferries Connector bus, operated by Wilson's Group, that runs between the downtown Vancouver bus terminal (Pacific Central Station) to the downtown Victoria terminal (Capital City Station).
To maximize space on ferries, drivers should remember to cozy up to the car in front.
Finally, in consideration of fellow travellers and Ferries staff, deactivate car alarms.
