To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia
My bike and I are in
and we’d like to be in
.
We show what transit connections accept bikes. Check with the operator for prices, schedules, and reservations.
Same place twice. You’re already there, so enjoy the ride.
Good news: buses, ferries, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Bowen Island to Hornby Island.
For scale
As the crow flies100 km
Biking whole way168 km · 9 h 02 m
By car161 km · 3 h 43 m
We found five ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 Riding a coach? Most BC coach operators want your bike bagged or boxed. Our field note walks through packing it, including an inexpensive packable bike bag we like: How to bike-and-bus in BC ›
Note: Most carriers carry only a handful of bikes, and summer weekends fill up fast. Reserve where you can. Where you can't, go early or have a backup plan.
Option one · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mostly a boat trip, really.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →Comox Airport (YQQ)88 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚎BC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) →Courtenay8.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5–7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option two · seven legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Island hopping: four ferries stitched together.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚗PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option three · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – LangdaleHorseshoe Bay →Langdale (Gibsons)16 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Sunshine Coast ConnectorLangdale – Powell RiverLangdale (Gibsons) →Powell River106 kmReserve bike spot — rack space is limited$20 bike · $40 e-bikeNo box needed — rack on the bus
Includes the Earls Cove–Saltery Bay ferry leg.
🚲Travel the short hop from Powell River to Marine & Duncan (Powell River), about 0.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesWestview – Little River (Comox)Marine & Duncan (Powell River) →Little River (Comox)30 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownLittle River (Comox) →Courtenay13 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5–7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option four · seven legs📅 seasonal📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
A shared ride helps bridge the gap.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverHorseshoe Bay →Vancouver Canada Place16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚗PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes — look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable — check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Show three moreShow fewer
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Seven legs, end to end.
🚫 This chain exists, but Island Link does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Another way: seven legs, end to end.
🚫 This chain exists, but Island Link does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverHorseshoe Bay →Vancouver Canada Place16 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes
Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.
🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Option seven · 9 legs✈ the splurge
Every leg of this works, there are just a lot of them.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Snug Cove (Bowen)Snug Cove (Bowen Island) →Horseshoe Bay3.7 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Nanaimo HarbourNanaimo Harbour →CXH (Vancouver)60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee — bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter — other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – ComoxCXH (Vancouver) →Comox Harbour138 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee — bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter — other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Comox Harbour to Comox Mall Bay B, about 0.4 km.
🚎BC Transit1 Comox Mall / Anfield Centre via N.I.C.Comox Mall Bay B →Anfield Centre (Courtenay)4 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Anfield Centre (Courtenay) to Courtenay, about 2.9 km.
🚎BC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay →Buckley Bay20 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
⛴️BC FerriesBuckley Bay – Denman WestBuckley Bay →Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Denman Island West to Gravelly Bay (Denman Island), about 9.4 km.
⛴️BC FerriesGravelly Bay (Denman E) – HornbyGravelly Bay (Denman Island) →Shingle Spit (Hornby Island)2 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Shingle Spit (Hornby Island).
Route facts last checked August 2026. We check that every leg here carries bikes, but policies and seasons change. Check times and book with the operator. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Explore more
Heading back: Hornby Island to Bowen Island (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Connections from Bowen Island: Sechelt (best: ferry + bus) · Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Salmon Arm (best: ferry + bus) · Haida Gwaii (best: ferry + rental car)
Connections from Hornby Island: Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Gabriola Island (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus + rental car)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Bowen Island and Hornby Island