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, trains, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Cortes Island to Gabriola Island.
For scale
As the crow flies127 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car202 km · 3 h 45 m
We found four 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 · three legs📅 seasonal
Fill in the gap with a rental car.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River – Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.
🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Campbell River →Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.2 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option two · four legs
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
⛴️BC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) – Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) →Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Campbell River, about 0.3 km.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Campbell River →Downtown Nanaimo134 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.2 km.
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option three · seven legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
A ferry and a water taxi make a fun combination.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Savary Island Government Dock21 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
🛥️Lund Water TaxiLund – Savary IslandSavary Island Government Dock →Lund Harbour4.1 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Year-round walk-on service, near-hourly in July and August; reservations required. E-bikes not carried (barge by arrangement).
🚎BC Transit14 LundLund Harbour →Town Centre Mall Bay A (Powell River)23 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
Runs Monday, Tuesday and Friday most of the year, six days a week from mid-May to Labour Day; some stretches are on-request. Front bike rack; e-bikes under 25 kg allowed.
🚲Travel the short hop from Town Centre Mall Bay A (Powell River) to Marine & Duncan (Powell River), about 1.4 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.
🚗PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Courtenay →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange97 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).
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option four · five legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal
A water taxi, two flights, a SkyTrain, and a ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary IslandManson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Campbell RiverYBL (Campbell River) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)173 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚲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.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Nanaimo Harbour60 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
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
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Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Water taxi to Coast Marina, coach bus to Nanaimo, then a ferry into Descanso Bay.
🚫 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
🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River – Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.
🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 0.4 km.
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Three ferries and a coach bus.
🚫 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
🚲First, get from Central Cortes Island to Whaletown (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
⛴️BC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) – Whaletown (Cortes)Whaletown (Cortes Island) →Heriot Bay (Quadra Island)11 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) to Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
⛴️BC FerriesNanaimo Harbour – Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour →Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Route facts last checked October 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: Gabriola Island to Cortes Island (best: ferry + rental car + water taxi)
Connections from Cortes Island: Texada Island (best: water taxi + bus + ferry) · Delta (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry) · Salmon Arm (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry)
Connections from Gabriola Island: Chemainus (best: ferry + bus) · Victoria (best: ferry + bus) · Vernon (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Gabriola Island