Intro
After a relatively cold two months of May and June, summer has finally arrived in BC, and the new season is full of things to do. So why not do a bit of travelling? This July, August and September, save 75% on BC Ferries fees! Take advantage of the promotion to travel up and down the Strait of Georgia, explore the Sunshine Coast, and discover the hidden islands and bays up to Desolation Sound in upper BC.
The Offer
From Wednesday, July 6 to Thursday, September 1, Vancouverites and those visiting the area can take advantage of BC Ferries’ new promotion, designed to encourage customers to travel less on busy sailings by giving them discounts, which will free up space at more popular sailing times. Customers who choose to travel on select trips early in the morning or late in the evening can save significantly on standard under-height and over-height vehicle fares, as they will be freeing up space during the day, which is often the busiest time.
For example, a regular fare price from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Salt Spring Island (Fulford Harbour) is approximately $32.80. With the promotion, that fare is slashed down to $8.20. Similarly, a regular fare price from Powell River (Saltery Bay) to the Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove) is around $46.80. After the discount, it was $11.70. In other words, the savings are big and just too good to pass up on!
However, keep in mind that this promotion only applies to non-bookable, inter-island routes when there is capacity available. Also, the 75% discount off the standard rate can only be applied at the ferry terminal, so you won’t be able to purchase it online or in advance. Be sure to arrive early at the terminal so that you can ensure yourself a spot!
Routes included in Promotion
The following routes are included in the promotion:
- Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Salt Spring Island (Fulford Harbour)
- Crofton (Crofton) to Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay)
- Powell River (Saltery Bay) to Sunshine Coast (Earls Cove)
- West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Bowen Island (Snug Cove)
- Powell River (Westview) to Texada Island (Blubber Bay)
- Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) to Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)
- Chemainus (Chemainus) to Thetis Island (Preedy Harbour) to Penelakut Island (Telegraph Harbour)
- Buckley Bay (Buckley Bay) to Denman Island (Denman Island West)
- Campbell River (Campbell River) to Quadra Island (Quathiaski Cove)
- Port McNeill (Port McNeill) to Malcolm Island (Sointula) to Cormorant Island (Alert Bay)
- Graham Island (Skidegate) to Moresby Island (Alliford Bay)
Things To Do
You’ve hopped off the ferry, and you’re at your new destination. Now what? Well, depending on where you are, there can be so much to do! Here are some things you can find at the select locations listed below:
Victoria
- Royal BC Museum
- A natural and human history museum with over 7 million objects and 750,000 records of specimens almost exclusively from BC
- Craigdarroch Castle
- Historical Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion
- National Historic Site of Canada due to its landmark status
- Beacon Hill Park
- A very large and bustling urban retreat with ponds and gardens
- Includes woodland and shoreline trails, two playgrounds, playing fields, waterparks, gardens, tennis courts, a petting zoo, etc.
- Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
- Parliament Buildings of British Columba
- The Butchart Gardens
- A green oasis filled with floral displays and trimmed gardens
- Millions of visitors every year
Bowen Island
- Dormant Point
- Beautiful, scenic point of a hiking trail located in Crippen Regional Park
- Tunstall Bay
- The Cape
- A natural, oceanfront view on 600 acres of land
Powell River
- Sunshine Coast Trail
- Canada’s longest hut-to-hut hiking trail (180 kilometres of beautiful landscapes!)
- Powell Forest Canoe Route
- One of the best canoe journeys in the province
- Expect to see bald eagles, black bears, coastal mountains and valleys up close
- Rock-climbing in the Eldred Valley
Salt Spring Island
- Salt Spring Markets
- Seasonal market hosting organic goods, local artists, and produce
- Ruckle Provincial Park
- 529 hectares of protected forests, coves, farmland and wildlife
- Salt Spring Island Cheese
- Artisan sheep and goat cheese from a special farm on Salt Spring Island
- ArtSpring
- Home to some of the most talented touring artists, performing everything from jazz to opera to contemporary dance
Sources: BC Ferries Offers Deep Discounts on Inter-Island Routes, Best Things to Do on Bowen Island, BC, Sunshine Coast: Powell River (Teeskwat), Salt Spring Island Attractions,
