Complete guide to the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay ferry

You're planning a trip to Victoria and staring at the Tsawwassen ferry schedule. The 5pm sailing gets you there for dinner, but you're wondering if you'll spend two hours in the terminal waiting for the next one. Here's what you need to know about BC Ferries' busiest route.

Route overview

• Sailing time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Distance: 23 nautical miles
• Frequency: Approximately every 2 hours, more frequent in summer
• Vessels: Usually the Spirit class vessels (Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver Island)

When does this route fill up?

The Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route sees the highest traffic of any BC Ferries route. Based on my historical data:

Busiest times:

• Friday afternoons (3pm-7pm departures)
• Sunday evenings (3pm-9pm departures)
• All long weekends
• Summer months (June-August)

Quieter times:

• Tuesday-Thursday
• Morning sailings (6am-10am)
• Off-season (October-April, excluding holidays)

Use my busiest ferry times tool to see detailed capacity history by day of week.

Terminal locations

Tsawwassen Terminal

• Address: 1 Ferry Causeway, Delta, BC
• From Vancouver: About 30 minutes south via Highway 99
• From US Border: About 30 minutes north
• Amenities: Large terminal building with food court, seating, washrooms, and shops

Swartz Bay Terminal

• Address: 11795 Patricia Bay Hwy, North Saanich, BC
• To Victoria: About 30 minutes south on Highway 17
• To Sidney: 10 minutes
• Amenities: Smaller terminal with basic services, Tim Hortons, washrooms

Onboard experience

The Spirit class vessels are the largest in the fleet:

• Passenger Deck: Multiple seating areas, cafeteria
• Upper Decks: Outside deck space, seating areas
• Amenities: Gift shop, arcade, business centre (WiFi available)
• Capacity: 2,100 passengers, 470 vehicles

Booking and reservations

Reservation fee: $17-22 per vehicle

When to book:

• Friday afternoons and evenings - highly recommended
• Sunday evenings - highly recommended
• Summer weekends - recommended
• Long weekends - book well in advance

When you can skip it:

• Tuesday-Thursday mid-day
• Off-season weekday sailings
• Morning sailings (except Monday mornings)

Cost

Fares vary by season and vehicle size. As of 2026:

• Standard vehicle + driver: $89.25 (peak) / $70.75 (off-peak)
• Additional adults: $20.20
• Children 5-11: $10.10
• Under 5: Free
• Bikes: $2.60
• Reservation (optional): $17-22

Tips for this route

1. Arrive early for popular sailings - 60-90 minutes recommended for busy times
2. Stretch your legs onboard - Walk the outside decks, it's a beautiful crossing
3. Eat at the Tsawwassen Quay before boarding - The terminal has a great food court with multiple vendors worth trying. Onboard options are basic White Spot-style fare
4. Book Sidney accommodation if arriving late - It's closer than driving to Victoria
5. Watch for whales - Orcas and other marine life are sometimes visible

Alternative routes

If this route is fully booked:

• Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) - Then drive south to Victoria (2h total + 2h drive)
• Duke Point to Tsawwassen - Useful for bypass travelers

Check real-time capacity

Before your trip, use my tools to see:

• Historical capacity by day of week
• Should you reserve for your specific date
• Current conditions on BC Ferries website

Heading to Nanaimo instead? Read the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo ferry guide.