BC Ferries sailings booking fast over long weekend

It looks like the May long weekend is shaping up to be both warm and busy, and some BC Ferries sailings are already fully booked.

The ferry service is also seeing some cancellations and warns there is the potential for more.

One Saturday morning sailing was cancelled due to a crew shortage — the 8:45 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay.

Upcoming ferries on that route are also booking up, with the following two at 11:05 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. listed as fully booked, according to BC Ferries website.

Good morning, beautiful West Coast! We are signed on – coffee in hand – and ready to assist with all your @BCFerries-related travel questions.

In the meantime, you can keep up with our #CurrentConditions from the following link https://t.co/LTjWxayfAK ^ts pic.twitter.com/7hgrdKYfSV

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) May 20, 2023

Those looking to hop on the ferry to Snug Cove may also be out of luck, as BC Ferries says in a tweet all evening sailings between Vancouver and Bowen Island have been cancelled, beginning with the 3:30 p.m. sailing out of Horseshoe Bay.

The service says the cancellations are due to being “unable to secure the required crew.”

#ServiceNotice #HorseshoeBay #SnugCove #QofCapilano As BCF was unable to secure the required crew, all sailings today from #Vancouver to #BowenIsland, starting with the 3:30pm sailing, have been cxl’d. Water taxis to provide service on the route.

More: https://t.co/fE8RfVcaNo^at

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) May 20, 2023

All of the sailings out of Vancouver for this route are currently listed as sold-out leading into Sunday morning, with many others already at, or on their way, to full capacity.

Sailings from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour are also busy, with the ferry service’s website showing nearly full capacity until Sunday afternoon.

Related articles: 

• B.C. long weekend travel primer: gas prices, weather, and wildfires

• Pattullo Bridge northbound lanes closing over May long weekend

For those looking to catch a ride, there may be time to still snag a spot on the remaining ferries, as of Saturday morning.

Saturday morning and Monday are expected to be BC Ferries’ busiest days for travel between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

With files from David Nadalini

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