Ferry Guide

A bylaw to regulate the ferry line-up was adopted in 2019, so there are some “official rules” you need to know about:

• DO NOT park in the ferry line-up unless you are waiting to board the next sailing.
• Enter the ferry line behind the last vehicle in the line, or in the first open space closest to the ferry. Yes, this means you may “fill the gaps.”

• Park within two feet (or 0.6 metres) of the vehicle in front of you. If there’s a cross-hatched area behind the next vehicle, pull right up to the edge of the cross-hatched area.
• DO NOT stop or park any portion of your vehicle on the cross-hatched areas.
• In the two-lane area of the ferry line, enter the shorter lane. When vehicles start loading, merge like a zipper at the point where it narrows to one lane. Don’t worry, there are signs there to help.

Read Traffic and Use of Streets Amendment Bylaw No. 469, 2019 (Ferry Line-Up)

Ferry line DOs and DON’Ts

Islanders are pretty particular when it comes to the ferry, so we thought we’d let you know about both the official and unwritten rules.

Vehicles: DO

• Line up behind the last vehicle in the line, or in the first open space closest to the ferry. Yes, this means you may “fill the gaps.”
• In the two lane area of the ferry line, park in the shorter lane.
• Snug Up! Park within two feet (0.6 m) of the vehicle in front of you.
• Be in your vehicle at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure of the ferry.
• Motorcycles: you will be loaded and unloaded before cars. Go right to the front of the line.
• Cyclists: load and unload with foot passengers. Walk your bike across the ramp.

Vehicles: DON’T

• Don’t park in the ferry line unless you are waiting to board the next sailing.
• Don’t speed to get to the ferry. Speed limits are enforced by the RCMP.
• Don’t look for a toll booth. The fare you purchased in Horseshoe Bay includes the return trip!
• Don’t make a U-Turn on the hill to get into the ferry line.
• Don’t stop or park beyond the “End of Ferry Line Up” sign. If the lanes are full you will not get on the ferry. Come back for the next sailing.
• Don’t stop or park in cross-hatched areas. They are there so that ferry traffic doesn’t block entrances to stores, side streets and parking lots.

Foot passengers: DO

• Arrive at the waiting area at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
• Wait for ferry traffic to load or unload before crossing the street.

Foot passengers: DON’T

• Don’t walk on the road after you cross the ramp. Move to the sidewalks so that vehicles can unload.
• Don’t look for a toll booth. The fare you purchased in Horseshoe Bay includes the return trip!

Ferry Marshalling on Weekends

Bowen Island Municipality now has two ferry marshals working on weekends throughout the summer. The marshals supervise the movement and positioning of vehicles in the ferry lineup to ensure safety as well as efficiency.

If you see someone doing something that they shouldn’t (like parking in the cross hatched areas) you can let the ferry marshals know.

Questions about ferry marshalling? Please contact Bylaw Services at 604-328-5499 or bylaw@bimbc.ca.

Bowen Ferry Guide

The Bowen Island Ferry Guide is available in print at locations throughout Snug Cove and at Municipal Hall. You can also download a PDF of the Bowen Ferry Guide.