*please ensure your passport is valid for your travel dates, as well as the passports of all parties & children traveling with you*
TRAVEL ROUTES
Below, we’ve provided most of the details that you will need to plan your trip to Salt Spring Island easily and well! In addition to the information condensed for you below, the Salt Spring’s Tourism website lays it all out as well. You can find their helpful details here: https://www.saltspringtourism.com/plan/
In order to get to Salt Spring Island, you will need to take a ferry. The ferries allow walk-aboard or drive-aboard travel. Links to all travel websites are provided below in blue.
arrival by car
If you are driving to Canada for the event, you can select the ferry terminal of your choice below, based on your travel plans + route.
arrival by air
If you are flying to Canada for the event, arriving via Victoria International Airport (YYJ) or Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will likely be the most convenient.
If arriving to Vancouver International Airport, you may choose to rent a car, in which case it is a 30-40 min drive to the ferry terminal, or you may take Translink (Vancouver Transit), which easily connects YVR to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
Similarly, Victoria International Airport is a quick 15 minute drive or taxi ride to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
ferries
There are 3 different ferry terminals arriving to different parts of the island for you to choose from depending on your departure location. All three accommodate driving-on in a vehicle, your own or a rental, or walking-on as a foot passenger. See below for Ferry travel options.
1 - Victoria, Bc to Salt Spring (fulford harbour)
It’s a 15 minute drive to this ferry terminal from the Victoria airport.
This ferry is a 35 minute direct trip to Salt Spring Island.
Detailed Ferry Schedule and Planning Information
This ferry typically sails every 1.5 hours, every day of the week. Tickets must be purchased day-of at the specific ferry terminal location. Specific times + boats for this sailing cannot be reserved in advance.
You should plan to arrive at the Ferry Terminal with adequate time to pay and get in line before the scheduled boat departure - BC Ferries advises arriving at the terminal 30 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Travel is based on your order of arrival at the terminal.
Ticket sales and check-in for foot passengers close 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure. Ticket sales and check-in for vehicles close 5 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure.
Room on each boat is awarded on a first come first-serve basis, but if the upcoming boat is full when you arrive, you’ll be able to wait for the following sailing.
Fares are charged for traveling to the island, and there is no charge for the return trip. Fare rates are based per passenger and per car, and as of 2025 were:
$36.25 CAD per car
$12.25 CAD per adult
$6.15 CAD per child
2 - Vancouver, BC to Salt Spring (long harbour)
It’s a 35 minute drive to this ferry terminal from Vancouver airport:
This ferry is a beautiful 3 hour trip, making stops along the way at other Gulf Islands.
For vehicles, booking check-in opens 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and closes 40 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
For foot passengers, booking check-in opens 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure and closes 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
One-way fares are charged per passenger and per car for this journey. Rates are lower for return trips, and must be booked separately. As of 2025, fares were approximately
$75 CAD per car
$20 CAD per adult
$10 CAD per child
Sailings are bookable through BC Ferries as early as six months in advance.
3 - Crofton, BC to Salt Spring (vesuvius bay)
This ferry departs from an alternate location on Vancouver Island.
This ferry is a 20 minute direct trip to Salt Spring Island.
This ferry typically sails every 1.5 hours, every day of the week. Tickets must be purchased day-of at the specific ferry terminal location. Specific times + boats for this sailing cannot be reserved in advance.
You should plan to arrive at the Ferry Terminal with adequate time to pay and get in line before the scheduled boat departure - BC Ferries advises arriving at the terminal 30 to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Travel is based on your order of arrival at the terminal.
Ticket Sales and check-in for foot passengers and vehicles closes 5 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing .
Fares are charged for traveling to the island, and there is no charge for the return trip. Fare rates are based per passenger and per car, and as of 2025 were:
$36.25 CAD per car
$12.25 CAD per adult
$6.15 CAD per child
*A Quick Note About Ferry Schedules/Timing
While BC Ferries aim to run like clockwork, there are often delays, or in peak season (which happens to be our scheduled season…) you may be in a queue to load on subsequent ferries for longer than anticipated. As a result, we strongly advise booking travel to arrive and depart earlier than you think you might need to, in order to avoid any possible issues. Check the ‘Detailed Ferry Schedule and Planning Information’ links above for more information related to recommended ferry terminal arrival times and planning, etc.
Alternatives to Ferry Travel (sea planes)
Harbour Air or Seair Seaplanes offer daily flights from Vancouver International Airport to Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island, with one-way fares starting from $109 CAD.
Island Exploration and Beyond
If you hope to do any exploration of the island beyond your lodging or the event venues, we highly recommend having a car or other form of transit. If you are considering arriving without a vehicle, but want the ability to get around while you are there, rental cars are also available on-island through Salt Spring Car & Scooter Rentals.
If you plan on arriving to the island as a foot passenger and do not anticipate renting a car, please reach out to Megan at ridermegan@gmail.com for assistance coordinating carpools to and from the ferry terminals.