How to get to Mayne Island

Wondering how to get to Mayne Island for your next Southern Gulf Islands adventure? As one of the smallest and quietest islands in the region, you’ll be happy to discover that there are plenty of routes here, whether it’s pedal-powered, ferry-assisted, or cruising in on a boat of your own.

Consider this your definitive guide to getting to Mayne Island. Whether it’s navigating the Mayne Island ferry schedule (including both the Victoria ferry and Vancouver ferry routes), cycling Mayne Island, or how far in advance you should book your ferry reservation, your Mayne trip starts here. 

Ready to plan your next trip to Mayne Island? Let’s get started. 

Everything You Need to Know About the Mayne Island Ferry Schedule and Routes

Mayne Island is a part of the larger BC Ferries network. There are daily routes between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) and Victoria (Swartz Bay), as well as several less direct inter-island routes between the other Gulf Islands. The ferry schedules are very seasonal, with more trips during the busy summer months than during the winter. 

• From Vancouver: Depending on what sailing you end up on, the trip from Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to Village Bay can take anywhere from a little over one hour to more than four hours. The latter trip takes a long detour with stops at several other islands before disembarking on Mayne. 
• From Victoria: The trip from Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Mayne can take under one hour for the most direct route to two hours if it stops at other islands.

Not sure the best way here? Check out the BC Ferries Mayne Island Schedule or phone 1-888-223-3779 for booking assistance. 

All ferry routes to Mayne Island accommodate walk-on passengers, bicycles, motorcycles, vehicles, RVs, and boat trailers. They also accept any four-legged travelers you may be bringing along, but pets must stay within the designated pet areas. 

The Vancouver route offers reservations for vehicles, which are strongly recommended no matter when you visit. However, reservations are almost non-negotiable during the busy season (May through September) as well as on weekends year-round. To ensure a smooth trip, it’s best to reserve your ferry well in advance.

BC Ferries changes its schedule seasonally, so to get the most up-to-date times for your next trip to Mayne Island, make sure to check their website. 

How to Get to Mayne Island by Bike and Foot

Planning a trip to Manye Island without a vehicle? You’ll likely be taking one of the usual ferry routes here from either Vancouver or Victoria.

From Vancouver, you’ll have to make your way to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, which is about an hour by public transit from downtown. If you are walking or biking to a Mayne Island-bound ferry, you will not require a reservation.

From Victoria, take public transit to Swartz Bay. From downtown, a bus to the ferry terminals takes between 60 and 90 minutes. Again, you do not need a reservation to walk or bike on board.

No matter what ferry route you are taking here, you’ll want to get to the terminal 30 to 90 minutes before departure time. In the busy summer months, the earlier the better.

While you are awaiting departure, keep your ears open for the terminal announcements. There are often several ferries loading at once, and you don’t want to miss your departure in the confusion.

If you are on one of the many ferry routes that make pit stops at other islands, you also want to listen for the upcoming arrival into Village Bay. If you miss your stop, chances are you’ll end up spending a night elsewhere.

When the ferry arrives on Mayne, follow the BC Ferries staff’s directions about when and where to disembark (although it’s typically via the vehicle deck). Bikes are usually held back until after vehicle traffic to help reduce local traffic at peak travel times.

How to Get to Mayne Island With a Vehicle

• From Vancouver (Tsawwassen), you’ll have to follow a route along Highway 17 to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. 
• From Victoria (Swartz Bay), you’ll also need to take Highway 17 towards the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

Most importantly, if you are driving to Mayne from Vancouver, it’s highly recommended to book both to-and-from reservations. In the peak summer months, there are often multiple sailing waits for those who didn’t secure a reservation in advance.

Whether you have a reservation or not, you’ll need to arrive at the terminal 30 to 90 minutes before your scheduled departure. On non-reservable routes, the earlier you can get there, the better. After the 30-minute mark, BC Ferries reserves the right to cancel your reservation without a refund.

Remember to consider potential traffic along your route to the terminal, especially during busy periods such as Fridays, long weekends, and rush hour. You’ll be joining the rest of the world in trying to get out of the city for the weekend, so you don’t want to risk missing your reservation due to tunnel traffic or a slow Malahat crawl.

At either terminal, follow the signs to the ticket booth serving Gulf Islands- or Mayne Island-bound vehicles. The ticketing agent will provide you with instructions on which numbered lane to proceed to. You might also get a fun Gulf Islands souvenir: the “Village Bay” paper to display proudly on your dash! 

How to Get to Mayne Island by Plane

If you’d rather cut down on travel time to Mayne to make the most of your weekend, why not take a float plane from Vancouver or Victoria to Mayne Island?

Seasonally, Seair offers daily flights from Richmond (YVR) to Miners Bay on Mayne Island. 

Alongside Harbour Air, the other regional service provider, they also offer private charter services from around the Salish Sea.

How to Get to Mayne Island by Boat

Mayne Island is also readily accessible by boat. Although the island doesn’t have any marinas, there are two public options for boaters: Anson Road/Horton Bay and Miners Bay.

Anson Road Dock, also called Horton Bay Dock, is a newly constructed public dock offering approximately 720 feet of moorage. This dock is on the more sheltered, quieter side of the island. While local boaters typically occupy dock space, rafting is allowed, and anchoring is easy in the surrounding bay. There are no nearby services on Mayne, but it’s a calm retreat from rougher weather on the Strait of Georgia. It offers transient, monthly, and annual options. The dock includes parking and a toilet.

Miners Bay, on the southeast side of Active Pass, is steeped in history as a gold rush-era stopover. The dock offers about 250 feet of berthage and serves as a hub for transport vessels, water taxis, and float planes. Ferry wake can cause noticeable float movement, especially during low tides or northerly winds. But its location is ideal, as it’s just a short walk to groceries, restaurants, a pub, and other island amenities.

Both options are part of the regional CRD system. You’ll find instructions and payment info on the gangways. 

Find out more about boating in the Southern Gulf Islands here, and don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the rules about navigating the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve here.

Getting Around the Island 

Foot Traffic

Mayne is one of the smallest and quietest Gulf Islands, making it ideal for walk-on adventures. As one example, if you have the gumption, it’s only a 45-minute walk from the ferry terminal in Village Bay to Miners Bay, where most of the island’s shopping and services are located.

With that said, the roads here require a bit of common sense. Walk against traffic, and pay extra attention to the many blind corners and hills that span the roads. Make sure to wear bright colors and bring a light if walking in rainy weather or after dark.

While Mayne Island doesn’t have a taxi service, it does have an incredible volunteer-run community bus. With at least 24 hours’ notice, the bus can meet incoming ferries, especially on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday mornings. Look for it parked near the ramp or at the top of the hill during busy times. 

It’s run entirely off donations. As your budget allows, try to make a donation each way ($3 to $20 per person is recommended based on your trip). Book online or contact 250-539-0851 or maynebus@protonmail.com directly.

And while you’re exploring Mayne on foot, don’t forget to check out one of the many scenic trails here.

Cyclists

Like all the Gulf Islands, Mayne Island is an extremely popular cycling destination. Small enough to explore by pedal power in a day, it’s the perfect place to try bikepacking for the first time. It has everything you could want: a few challenging hills and the perfect bike-friendly oceanside campground. There is even a newly completed bike trail from the Village Bay Ferry Terminal to Miners Bay.

As you plan your two-wheeled adventure here, remember that while the roads are quiet, they’re windy with little to no shoulder. Wear bright colors, obey traffic laws, and ensure bike lights are fully functional.

Vehicles

Mayne Island is small enough that it’s hard to get lost here, and rest assured, islanders are very friendly if you have to ask for directions. Use Google Maps or the physical Mayne Island Map available at the ferry terminals, visitor center, and on the ferries themselves to navigate the island. Make a wrong turn? Don’t stress! It only takes around 30 minutes to circumnavigate the entire island.

FAQs

How Much Does the Ferry to the Island Cost?

BC Ferries prices depend on how you are traveling, when you are traveling, and your reservation options. To get the most accurate picture of the price, use the BC Ferries Fare Calculator. 

With that caveat out of the way, here’s what you can expect to pay to get to Mayne, roughly speaking:

• Walk-Ons and Bikes: From Vancouver, a walk-on (or bike-on) ticket is $20, and from Victoria, it’s around $13.
• Vehicles: From Vancouver, the price for two people and a standard vehicle is around $115 one way. From Victoria, the trip costs approximately $70.

How much does it cost to leave Mayne? Like most BC Ferries Gulf Islands routes, it’s free or significantly cheaper (route-dependent) to head off-island than it is to travel to the island.

How Long Does the Ferry Take?

The trip to Mayne varies depending on where you are traveling from and the route you take. 

For example, it can take under an hour via the direct route from the Victoria side, but over four hours for the “milk-run” from the Vancouver side. If you prefer a shorter trip, plan in advance using the BC Ferries Schedule to find one of the more direct routes with fewer Gulf Islands pit stops along the way.

What Is a Thru-Fare?

If the direct sailing from Vancouver to Mayne Island doesn’t line up with your plans, don’t worry, there is a workaround! It’s called the Thru-Fare, and it involves a scenic two-ferry journey. 

First, hop on the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (about 95 minutes). Once you arrive, transfer to the next sailing headed to Mayne Island. Schedules vary, but connections are typically smooth.

Thru-Fare tickets aren’t available online, so you’ll need to purchase them in person at the terminal or by calling BC Ferries directly at 1-888-223-3779.

How Early Should I Book My Ferry Reservation?

Realistically, if you are traveling on a reservable route, book as soon as you can. In the summer months, reservations fill up weeks in advance, and while there are always a small number of non-reservable spots for vehicles, this leaves your plans at the whims of tourist season. To ensure you arrive at Mayne Island when you plan to, try to book a few weeks in advance of your intended travel date.

What if you are planning a last-minute trip to Mayne? The good news is that during the busy season, there are multiple sailings a day on both routes. If you show up early in the day without a reservation and with a lot of patience, you can probably get there. No promises though!

Can I Take My Dog on the Ferry?

Yes! You can take dogs on the ferry, but they must remain in your vehicle or in the designated pet area. They are not allowed to enter the passenger areas unless they are registered service animals.