By Dan Marshall

August long weekend typically busiest for BC Ferries

Jul 29, 2016 | 12:02 PM

NANAIMO — This is typically the busiest long weekend of the year on BC Ferries.

The traffic pattern will be heavier coming to Nanaimo Friday, and passengers leaving Duke Point and Departure Bay will pick up Sunday and Monday.

Ferries spokesperson Darin Guenette says it also seems, the better the weather, the more people look to travel.

“This weekend is the peak of the peak, traditionally year in year out, said Guenette.  “And then you can pretty much look down after that at other summer related long weekends.  So Canada Day if there’s a long weekend, Labour Day, those are pretty close behind in terms of traffic and that makes sense I think to alot of people.”

Passenger traffic has also been increasing steadily compared to last year, according to Guenette.

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“In the last year month by month we’ve seen increases in traffic to a notable degree, four or five percent for vehicles and passengers. So what thay means is, if you compare it from the year before month by month we’re seeing steady every month an uptick in traffic.”

Guenette believes the low Canadian dollar has been a major factor in the rise in passenger numbers.

The easiest way to get information on sailings and any possible waits this long weekend is to click on bcferries.com.