Horseshoe Bay Terminal Essential Infrastructure Improvements

The Horseshoe Bay terminal has been in operation for over 65 years and is one of our oldest and busiest terminals. Annually the terminal serves almost 7 million passengers and over 3 million vehicles travelling to and from Nanaimo, the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island. The terminal is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Vancouver and is the mainland terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway providing an important link to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Sign up for updates by subscribing to the Stay Informed email list on this page.
The Horseshoe Bay terminal has been in operation for over 65 years and is one of our oldest and busiest terminals. Annually the terminal serves almost 7 million passengers and over 3 million vehicles travelling to and from Nanaimo, the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island. The terminal is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Vancouver and is the mainland terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway providing an important link to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Sign up for updates by subscribing to the Stay Informed email list on this page.
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Horseshoe Bay booking changes to include customer improvements
Share Horseshoe Bay booking changes to include customer improvements on Facebook Share Horseshoe Bay booking changes to include customer improvements on Twitter Share Horseshoe Bay booking changes to include customer improvements on Linkedin Email Horseshoe Bay booking changes to include customer improvements linkStarting October 15, all customers travelling by vehicle, including motorcycles, from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) will be required to book and pay in advance, before arriving at the terminal. This is only required for travel in this direction. This change will help keep customers moving and maintain safety through the multi-year construction program at the terminal, where vehicle staging space will be reduced by 25%.
Once these changes take effect, Drive-up (at-terminal) and Reservation-only fares will no longer be available in this direction. Customers will be able to choose between Prepaid and Saver fares for their travel. Commercial vehicles will also need to reserve in advance, but their fare structure and payment process will remain unchanged.
For more information, please visit: www.bcferries.com/news-releases/horseshoe-bay-booking-changes-to-include-customer-improvements
For travel tips, please visit: www.bcferries.com/hsb-travel
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Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) advance booking model survey
Share Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) advance booking model survey on Facebook Share Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) advance booking model survey on Twitter Share Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) advance booking model survey on Linkedin Email Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) advance booking model survey linkBeginning in fall 2025, an advance booking model will be introduced for all vehicles travelling from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay). The option to purchase ‘At Terminal’ fare will no longer be available (except to foot passengers). This change is required in order to better manage traffic and the flow of vehicles, and to accommodate a 25% reduction in space at the terminal during the critical infrastructure renewal project at Horseshoe Bay.
To better understand customer choices and preferences for booking travel, we surveyed customers who use this route in spring and summer 2025 and engaged with customers onboard. This survey is now closed.
Thanks for participating. Your insights will help us better understand how this model will impact travellers and identify opportunities for improvement. Decisions about this project will also be informed by regulatory obligations, budgetary constraints, safety standards, environmental standards, technical and operational feasibility, and other considerations.
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May Update: Construction advances, customer-focused improvements coming for Horseshoe Bay
Share May Update: Construction advances, customer-focused improvements coming for Horseshoe Bay on Facebook Share May Update: Construction advances, customer-focused improvements coming for Horseshoe Bay on Twitter Share May Update: Construction advances, customer-focused improvements coming for Horseshoe Bay on Linkedin Email May Update: Construction advances, customer-focused improvements coming for Horseshoe Bay linkIn May 2025 we announced we're advancing critical infrastructure renewal at the Horseshoe Bay terminal, with planning and procurement underway and the first major phase of construction set to begin this fall.
About the essential infrastructure improvements and customer-focused changes
BC Ferries is introducing several customer-focused changes, including moving to an advance booking model one-way only from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay. For more information, please visit: www.bcferries.com/news-releases/bc-ferries-advances-construction-introduces-customer-focused-improvements-Horseshoe-Bay
Committed to regular updates
As this work progresses, we are committed to keeping the community and interest holders informed about the work being undertaken and will provide as much notice as possible in advance of any anticipated changes or disruptions.
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February update: essential infrastructure improvements announced
Share February update: essential infrastructure improvements announced on Facebook Share February update: essential infrastructure improvements announced on Twitter Share February update: essential infrastructure improvements announced on Linkedin Email February update: essential infrastructure improvements announced linkIn February 2025 we announced we’re planning a series of essential infrastructure improvements at Horseshoe Bay terminal over the next several years.
About the Essential Infrastructure Improvements
Over the next several years, the terminal will undergo a series of essential improvements to address aging infrastructure and improve operations, as well as address current and future demand for ferry service, driven by significant population growth along the BC coast.
For more information, please visit: https://www.bcferries.com/news-releases/essential-infrastructure-renewal-program-at-horseshoe-bay-terminal-gets-underwayCommitted to Regular Updates
As this work progresses, we are committed to keeping the community and interest holders informed about the work being undertaken and will provide as much notice as possible in advance of any anticipated changes or disruptions.
Who's Listening
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BC Ferries, Community Relations
Email engagement@bcferries.com
FAQs
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Bookings and Schedules
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Essential Infrastructure Improvements
- What infrastructure improvements are happening at Horseshoe Bay terminal?
- What will be the total cost of the Horseshoe Bay infrastructure improvements?
- What’s the timeline to complete the infrastructure improvements?
- Why are the infrastructure improvements necessary?
- Have you consulted the community about this change?
- How will passengers be impacted by construction?
- How will passengers with accessibility challenges be impacted?
- Will there be construction activity at night?
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Control Tower and Elevated Structure Improvements