B.C. ferry company Hullo announces launch date

You’ll soon have another option to get between Vancouver and the Island, with Hullo bookings soon starting for August.

The Vancouver Island Ferry Company says its two new high-speed passenger ferries — sthuqi’ and spuhe´ls — have arrived at the Nanaimo Port Authority’s Assembly Wharf ahead of Hullo’s official launch.

Booking will soon open for reservations beginning Aug. 14 between Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver.

“It’s a tremendously exciting period for us all,” said Hullo CEO Alastair Caddick. “Our dedicated Hullo crew has been working relentlessly to bring this highly anticipated bi-coastal service to life. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests aboard in just a few short weeks.”

Related articles: 

• ‘Fast-ferry’ between Vancouver and Nanaimo launching in August

• Fast ferries arrive in Nanaimo ahead of Hullo launch next month

Crews, as well as the boats, have been taking part in sea trials, training drills, certifications, and other preparation work over the past few weeks in Victoria.

The company says workers will use the weeks leading up to the official launch date to conduct more drills and sail the route between its terminals.

To start, Hullo will be offering four sailings a day in each direction, between the Nanaimo Port Authority and Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre.

An additional three sailings are expected to be added each way, bringing the sailings per day up to seven.

While customers will be able to start booking sailings from Aug. 14 onward, Hullo says it’s possible sailings will be launching earlier, “after July 28.”

Travel between Vancouver and Vancouver Island is set to speed up in August, as two new “fast ferries” arrived in Nanaimo on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Courtesy Hullo)

The company estimates travel time between its two ports will be about 70 minutes — almost 30 minutes faster than a BC Ferries services from Horseshoe Bay.

The service will offer pricing in tiers — Comfort, Premium, and Business. In a statement earlier in July, Hullo said first-trip fares will start at $29.99, and then rising to $39.99. Premium seats are $49.99, with Business coming in at $59.99.

Hullo’s launch comes at a time when many people are looking for alternatives to get between Vancouver Island and the mainland.

BC Ferries typically sees increased demand over the summer months, and has also been plagued by cancellations and delays due to mechanical and staffing issues in recent weeks.

-With files from Charlie Carey