BC Ferries is reminding customers to make adjustments in anticipation of their busy summer schedule. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

plan ahead

Dual holidays kicking off busy summer season for BC Ferries

Jun 28, 2022 | 5:00 PM

NANAIMO — It’s routinely one of the busier long weekends for ferry travel, however this year see vessels a little extra crowded.

Both Canada Day on Friday, July 1 and American Independence Day on Monday, July 4 fall over the same weekend, and vehicle and passenger volumes on the ferries are expected to be high.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said it’s a double whammy of traffic.

“This happens every few years, I believe it was about six years ago when July 1 fell on a Friday, and then July 4 falls on a Monday, so basically the holidays book-end the long weekend.”

Typical traffic flows will see travellers start on Thursday, June 30 into Friday morning as people head to Vancouver Island, and then again from Sunday, July 3 into Monday morning as they make their way back to the Lower Mainland.

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Marshall always recommends booking your sailings in advance.

“Some of the peak sailings times, those reservations have already been fully subscribed. We do still leave room for standby traffic, customers can also travel as a foot passenger, or if you’re travelling without a booking on the long weekend, Saturday would be the best day to travel.”

Nanaimo’s Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route will be serviced by three ships with up to 22 sailings per day.

Tsawwassen to Duke Point will have two vessels providing 16 sailings per day, while their busiest route, the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay will be serviced by four vessels with up to 32 sailings per day.

Additional weekend sailings are also planned for the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route.

BC Ferries reminds anyone travelling on one of their ferries during the summer to book in advance, especially if you’re travelling with a vehicle, ride-share if possible, and always arrive early.

More information can be found at BCferries.com, or follow them on Twitter @BCferries for up-to-the-minute updates.

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