How to get to Salt Spring Island

How do you get to Salt Spring Island? This island is one of the most connected Southern Gulf Islands, with three ferry terminals, eight moorage options for boaters, float plane service, and an excellent public transit system once you get here. 

But with so many options, it can be confusing for anyone unfamiliar with the routes and schedules of the many Salt Spring ferries. Let’s break it down into more manageable pieces.

Here is everything you need to know about Salt Spring ferry schedules, thru-fare options, and alternative ways to reach the island so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring this incredible destination.

Salt Spring Island Ferry: Everything you need to know

Salt Spring is the only Gulf Island that has more than one ferry service. When planning your next adventure here, you’ll first need to figure out which ferry makes sense. There are three main routes (alongside quieter inter-island connections):

• Crofton (Vancouver Island) to Vesuvius (Salt Spring Island)
• Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island) to Fulford (Salt Spring Island)
• Tsawwassen (Mainland) to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island)

The Crofton ferry is a short and sweet trip between Crofton on Vancouver Island and the tiny village of Vesuvius located on the north end of Salt Spring Island.

The trip is non-reservable, which means you have to plan ahead when travelling during the summer, on long weekends, or over holidays. Year-round, the Vesuvius ferry schedule offers more than ten sailings a day.

The Vesuvius ferry is a smaller one, with no onboard services, but the trip only takes 25 minutes from end to end. 

The cost for a standard vehicle is under $40, plus an adult fare is roughly $12. You’ll only pay to get to Salt Spring Island (to get back to Crofton is free). Have an Experience Card? This route qualifies for additional savings.

When travelling between Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and Fulford on Salt Spring, this is the primary route for those coming from Victoria. This is another smaller, non-reservable ferry. The sailing time is roughly 35 minutes. 

Plan to give yourself plenty of time during busy travel periods to make sure you get the ferry you’re aiming for. On the Fulford ferry schedule, there are typically at least seven sailings a day and more in summer.

A standard vehicle is under $40, and an adult fare is roughly $12. You don’t need to pay to leave Salt Spring on this route. You can also save on fares with your Experience Card.

Welcome to the longest route and the largest ferry serving Salt Spring. This ferry operates between Tsawwassen, near Vancouver, and Long Harbour, which is near Ganges and Central Salt Spring. This route isn’t always direct and may stop at other Gulf Islands along the way. It takes anywhere from 1.5 to nearly three hours, depending on the stops.

This is the only reservable route to Salt Spring, and it is highly recommended that you book in advance. Reservations fill up quickly in the summer and over holidays. While there are sometimes as few as two sailings a day in winter, in the summer, there are multiple options to choose from.

Fares apply in both directions, with rates varying according to peak and off-peak periods. Peak prices are $75 per standard vehicle and $20 for adults. Leaving Salt Spring is less expensive.

If you are travelling from one of the other Southern Gulf Islands, you’ll be travelling to Long Harbour. The routes are less regular, but at least in the summer, there should be at least one open per day, no matter which island you are coming from. 

Check the schedules well in advance to best plan your route. Few sailings are direct, and you may stop at one or more other islands before you hit Long Harbour. Worst case, if the inter-island schedule doesn’t work with yours, you may have to head to Swartz Bay and then hop on a second ferry from there.

Too many options? Check out the BC Ferries Online Schedule, or give them a call for booking assistance (1-888-223-3779).

Please note that fares, schedules, and conditions are subject to change with little notice. To get the most accurate information on what to expect and sailing times, always refer to the source — BC Ferries.

How To Get to Salt Spring Island by Bike and Foot

No car? No problem! Salt Spring Island’s ferries are designed to serve foot passengers and cyclists just as effectively as they do vehicle traffic.

To get to Salt Spring Island from Victoria and Vancouver without a car, there are regular public transit routes from downtown to the ferry terminals. If you are travelling on the Crofton ferry, there is also regular bus service from nearby Duncan.

Although there are no reservations for bikes or walk-ons, if you’re taking the ferry to Salt Spring Island, it’s a good idea to arrive early. This gives you time to park, get your bearings, buy a ticket, and make your way to the boarding area. Walk-on passengers and cyclists are usually called first, so pay attention to the announcements. 

When it’s time to disembark, follow the BC Ferries crew’s instructions. Walk-on passengers exit via the lower vehicle decks. If you’re on a bike, you may be asked to wait until vehicles have cleared to avoid creating traffic on the island’s narrow roads.

How To Get to Salt Spring Island with a vehicle

• If you are driving to Salt Spring Island from the Vancouver side, follow Highway 17 to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. 
• From the Vancouver Island side, you’ll also need to take Highway 17, this time towards the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

By now, you’re probably tired of hearing this, but we really can’t say it enough: If you are travelling from Vancouver via Tsawwassen, make a reservation! At peak travel times, you could face a multi-sailing wait without one, which will eat into your valuable Salt Spring adventure time.

According to BC Ferries’ recommendations, plan to arrive at the terminal 30 to 90 minutes before your scheduled departure. Don’t forget to plan around highway traffic and rush hour, especially for the tunnel and the Malahat, both of which are prone to congestion.

If you show up within 30 minutes of your sailing, BC Ferries may have revoked your reservation, with no refunds. 

At Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, follow the signage for either Salt Spring Island or the Gulf Islands to get your tickets at the designated booth. The agent will direct you to a numbered lane, and you might even get a Long Harbour sign for your dash.

Listen closely to the terminal announcements, and be ready when they announce your vessel is loading.

How To Get to Salt Spring Island by Plane

Skip the traffic and the long ferry wait by flying to Salt Spring Island on a float plane.

Harbour Air offers daily services to Salt Spring Island, departing from their downtown terminal and YVR Richmond. SeaAir also has a daily service, flying from YVR Richmond. 

Private charters are possible outside of these services. Contact the company directly to inquire.

How To Get to Salt Spring Island by Boat

For anyone ready to set sail to Salt Spring Island on their own vessel, you’ll find yourself pleasantly spoiled for choice on where to tie up. Salt Spring Island has many moorage options:

Ganges Centennial Harbour is the island’s main destination, offering the most services and easy access to the shops and restaurants around Ganges. While it primarily serves permanent contract holders, limited moorage may be available for visitors. Call in advance to confirm. Amenities include potable water, 30-amp power, Wi-Fi, garbage and waste oil disposal, washrooms, showers, and a boat launch.

Kanaka Dock, also located in Ganges, is available for daily transient use from May to September, with limited winter moorage options. A small portion is reserved for water taxis, but the majority of the facility caters to short-term visitors. It shares services with Centennial Harbour, including water, shore power, lighting, and access to showers and garbage disposal.

Breakwater Float at the Ganges Coast Guard facility supports commercial users, tour boats, and larger vessels. You’ll find water, limited shore power, and access to Centennial’s full amenities.

Further afield from Ganges is the Fulford Outer Dock, which is a visitor-friendly option just beside the ferry terminal in Fulford Harbour. It offers easy access to the nearby village services and bus transit, with 48-hour moorage available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no permanent services, but emergency electricity and nearby washrooms may be accessible via the ferry terminal.

Fulford Inner Dock is reserved for contract users only and does not accept transient traffic. It has potable water and shore power but no garbage facilities. Moorage is limited, and liveaboards are prohibited under current policy.

For boaters seeking quieter spots around Salt Spring Island, Musgrave Landing, Burgoyne Bay, and Vesuvius Bay all offer short-term, no-frills moorage. Musgrave Landing, on the island’s southwest coast, is the quietest tie-up with 48m of dock space and no services. All three operate on an honour box system and are best suited for self-sufficient vessels.

Find out more about boating in the Southern Gulf Islands here.

Boating from the US? Head to Ganges, where the Canada Border Services Agency is available with prior arrangement. Call ahead, and Canada Customs will advise if an inspection is required. Or they may clear you over the phone.

Getting around Salt Spring Island

Foot traffic

No matter which ferry you have taken to Salt Spring Island, you have options for getting around without your own vehicle. Salt Spring Island Transit operates six daily routes across the island, with regular bus service to each of the ferry terminals: Long Harbour, Fulford, and Vesuvius. 

In some areas of the island, there are designated bus stops; in others, give a friendly wave to the bus as it approaches. It will pull over to pick you up.

After hours or for transport to non-bus routes, you can also give Silver Shadow Taxi a call, which is the island’s only taxi service.

Cyclists

The secret is out! Salt Spring Island has become one of BC’s best bikepacking destinations (check out the Cowichan to Salt Spring Loop).

As a cyclist, when you disembark from the ferries, you’ll often be asked to wait until after the vehicles have passed. This helps prevent congestion behind bikes on Salt Spring’s windy, shoulderless roads, where it can be difficult and unsafe to pass for long stretches. 

For those new to bikepacking, a few words of caution for your trip here. While Salt Spring Island is a picture-perfect place to pedal, like all the Gulf Islands, it’s exceptionally hilly with many blind corners and few shoulders. Yes, some routes have been upgraded with small bike lanes, gravel paths, or, for those heading to Ruckle Park, designated bike routes.

But generally, you’ll have to be car-aware as you pedal your way across the island. Make sure you wear bright colors and have functional bike lights when travelling at night.

Vehicle

From one end to the other, the drive takes about 45 minutes (up to an hour if you are hitting Musgrave Landing), but there’s no need to rush. Use Google Maps or grab a printed map onboard the ferry or at the Visitor Centre to help navigate the island’s winding roads. 

Keep your speed down and stay alert — deer and cyclists are around every turn, especially around corners and at dusk.

FAQ

What is a Salt Spring Thru-Fare?

Trying to get to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver, but can’t find a direct ferry that fits your schedule? Take the scenic Thru-Fare route, a local secret. 

This two-ferry journey starts with a 95-minute sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. From there, you’ll transfer to a second ferry bound for Salt Spring Island. This option may take a bit longer, but it’s a beautiful way to explore more of the Gulf Islands en route.

As you are paying for your ticket on the Vancouver side, tell the agent you would like to book a Thru-Fare. They will book both at the same time and give you a sign for your dash.

You can only book a Thru-Fare at the terminals or by calling their customer service line: 1-888-223-3779. You cannot book Thru-Fare tickets online.

Do the Ferries Have Food & Drinks?

The Long Harbour-bound Salt Spring Island Ferry has onboard services, including a cafeteria. The Fulford and Vesuvius ferries are much smaller, with no food services beyond a vending machine.

Can I Take My Dog on the Ferry?

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

How Much Does the Ferry to Salt Spring Cost?

The best way to confirm BC Ferries prices is directly on their website (check out their Fare Calculator), as prices are prone to change without notice. But that doesn’t mean we can’t offer a few rough estimates of ticket prices.

• Walk-Ons and Bikes: Depending on the route you are travelling, you can expect to pay upwards of $20 (with no extra charge for bikes). 
• Vehicles: Costs range widely depending on size, route, and number of passengers, but as a starting point, you can expect to pay roughly $120 for two people and one regular-sized vehicle when travelling from Vancouver. Costs on the Fulford and between the Gulf Islands are significantly less expensive, averaging around $60 for a vehicle and two adults.

Want to save a bit of money? Grab an Experience Card to save on the smaller inter-island routes, like Crofton to Vesuvius and Swartz Bay to Fulford.

How Long Does the Ferry Take To Get to Salt Spring Island?

As always, it depends on which ferry you take and what sailing. The shortest ferry route is from Crofton to Vesuvius; it’s only a 25-minute trip. Sailing from Swartz Bay? It’s a short 35-minute ride.

How long is the ferry ride to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver? This is the longest route and takes anywhere from 90 minutes to over three hours, depending on stops to other islands.

What to do on Salt Spring Island?

There are so many things to do on Salt Spring Island, it’s too much to cover in a short FAQ. The island is known for its farms, markets, artists, and landscape. Explore the island’s food scene through local food trucks and other uniquely local food hubs. See Salt Spring culture on display at the famous Saturday Market. Then get outside for a hike, bike, or ocean adventure.