Tsawwassen to Nanaimo Ferry: The Duke Point Route in Detail

On this page

1. The shape of the schedule
2. The 05:15 sailing
3. Getting to Tsawwassen for this route
4. Fares, reservations, and check-in
5. Arriving at Duke Point
6. Parking at Tsawwassen for walk-ons
7. Before you go
8. Frequently asked questions

The shape of the schedule

The Tsawwassen to Duke Point route is the quieter of the two Tsawwassen services, and its timetable reflects that. There are 10 sailings a day, spread roughly evenly from 05:15 to 22:45, which works out to a departure about every two hours. Because the crossing itself is two hours, the same vessel is usually just returning from Nanaimo as the next sailing loads.

Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal1 Ferry Causeway, Delta, BC V4M 4G6 Google Maps Apple Maps

Duke Point400 Duke Point Hwy, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1H6 Google Maps Apple Maps

That rhythm is worth knowing for two reasons. First, if you miss a sailing, the next one is typically a two-hour wait rather than the shorter gap you might find on the Victoria route. Second, the schedule has a clear early bookend at 05:15 and a late one at 22:45, which makes Duke Point the route of choice for people who want to maximise a day on the island or get back to the mainland late.

If you are still deciding between this route and Horseshoe Bay, the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo page sets the two side by side.

The 05:15 sailing

The first departure is the one people search for, because it delivers you to Nanaimo at 07:15 with the whole day ahead. Reaching Tsawwassen for it, though, means being at the terminal by around 04:45 with a reservation, or earlier without one. From downtown Vancouver that is a 4 a.m. departure; from Surrey or the Fraser Valley it is earlier still, and from YVR there is no transit running that early.

The 05:15 sailing with a reserved car

1. 3:30 Leave downtown VancouverIf you are driving from the city. About 36 minutes at this hour, with no transit alternative.
2. 4:00 Leave Tsawwassen townIf you stayed nearby: about ten minutes down Highway 17 and along the causeway.
3. 4:15 Check-in opens60 minutes before departure.
4. 4:30 Arrive at the vehicle boothsShow your reservation and follow the Duke Point lane signs.
5. 4:45 Check-in closes30 minutes before departure; a late reservation is released to standby.
6. 5:15 Sailing departs
7. 7:15 Arrive at Duke PointJoin the highway north or south within minutes.

The early morning Tsawwassen ferry guide has the step-by-step timing. There is a hotel near Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in town, and for a family or a group heading up-island our private 3-bedroom suite in Tsawwassen (the upper level of a hillside home, with its own private entrance — a short uphill walk and a few steps from the driveway, then everything inside is on one level) sleeps 6, with free driveway parking and a full kitchen, about 10 minutes by car from the terminal and about 30 minutes (26 km) from YVR. Details are on the 3-bedroom suite in Tsawwassen page.

Getting to Tsawwassen for this route

The terminal is at 1 Ferry Causeway, Delta, at the south end of Highway 17. From YVR it is about 29 km and roughly 27 minutes by car; a taxi or rideshare runs somewhere around $50 to $65, and during the day the Canada Line plus the 620 bus from Bridgeport Station gets you to the foot-passenger building. The YVR to Tsawwassen ferry page has the full breakdown.

From downtown Vancouver allow about 36 minutes outside rush hour, more if you hit the George Massey Tunnel on a weekday afternoon.

Fares, reservations, and check-in

Two prepaid vehicle fares are sold on this route, both with a guaranteed spot on a specific sailing:

Fare	Price (car and driver, one way)	Availability	No-show fee
Saver	From $49	Select off-peak sailings	$30
Prepaid	$110	All sailings	$20

Prices are as published at the time of writing and are subject to change. Saver fares are most likely to appear on the early, late, and mid-week sailings, which suits this route well: the 05:15 and the evening departures are exactly the ones budget-conscious drivers tend to want anyway.

The how early to arrive at Tsawwassen guide works through the timing for different days.

Arriving at Duke Point

Duke Point terminal is at 400 Duke Point Highway, on a peninsula that is mostly industrial land south of Nanaimo. There is no town at the terminal. What there is, a few minutes up the terminal road, is the junction with the main island highway, and that is the whole point of the route.

• North to Parksville, Qualicum, Tofino, Courtenay, Campbell River: join the highway northbound. You skirt the east side of Nanaimo without entering the city.
• Into Nanaimo: about 20 minutes to the city centre by road.
• South to Ladysmith, Chemainus, Duncan, and Victoria: join the highway southbound. The Malahat section before Victoria is slow; allow about two hours to downtown Victoria in total.

Parking at Tsawwassen for walk-ons

If you are walking on and leaving a car on the mainland, the long-term lot at Tsawwassen is at the terminal itself, at the end of the causeway. It is paid by licence plate at a meter or through an app, at $19.25 per 24 hours plus tax at the time of writing, and there is no way to reserve a space.

The Tsawwassen ferry parking page covers rates, payment, and alternatives such as leaving the car at your accommodation in town and getting dropped off.

Before you go

• Confirm the sailing you want; with a two-hour gap between departures, missing one is costly.
• Book a Saver fare if your dates are fixed and you can travel on an off-peak sailing.
• For the 05:15, sleep in Tsawwassen rather than driving from the city.
• Walk-ons: arrange a pickup or taxi at Duke Point before you leave the mainland.
• Fill the tank in Delta or Nanaimo; there is nothing at Duke Point itself.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Tsawwassen to Nanaimo ferry arrive?

At Duke Point terminal, 400 Duke Point Highway, on a peninsula south of Nanaimo. It is about 20 minutes by road from the city centre and a few minutes from the main island highway.

How long is the Tsawwassen to Nanaimo ferry?

The crossing is 2 hours. It is about 20 minutes longer than the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route, but the terminal is easier to reach from the airport and from south of the Fraser River.

What time is the first ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo?

The first sailing to Duke Point leaves at 05:15 and the last at 22:45, with 10 sailings a day. Confirm the current schedule before travelling, since seasonal timetables differ.

Is there public transit from Duke Point?

Public transit at Duke Point is limited. If you are walking on, plan a pickup, arrange a taxi, or consider the Departure Bay route, which lands close to downtown Nanaimo.

Do I need a reservation for the Tsawwassen to Nanaimo ferry?

Not on quiet mid-week sailings, but a reservation is strongly recommended for Friday and Sunday afternoons in summer and for long weekends. Saver and Prepaid fares include a guaranteed spot on your chosen sailing.

Can I leave my car at Tsawwassen and walk on to Nanaimo?

Yes. The long-term lot at Tsawwassen is paid by licence plate and there is no reservation for parking. Remember that Duke Point has limited transit, so arrange transport at the other end.

Last updated August 28, 2026. Schedules, fares, and parking rates change — confirm with the operator before you travel.