Cortes Island to Salt Spring Island with a bike

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 Salt Spring Island.

For scale

As the crow flies182 km

Biking whole way339 km · 17 h 54 m

By car268 km · 4 h 41 m

We found seven ways to get you there.

🎒 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 · six legs📅 seasonal

A transport smorgasbord: water taxi, rental car, city buses, and ferry.

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 YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.

🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo)YBL (Campbell River) →Downtown Nanaimo127 kmOne-way between Island branches — no drop chargeBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.

🚎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 Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.

🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 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 Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusDuncan →Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (Crofton)11 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 Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (Crofton) to Crofton, about 0.5 km.

⛴️BC FerriesVesuvius – CroftonCrofton →Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island)5.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 15 km from Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Silver Shadow Taxi Ltd. might help.

Option two · 9 legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

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 Powell River, about 1.1 km.

🚌Sunshine Coast ConnectorLangdale – Powell RiverPowell River →Langdale (Gibsons)106 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.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – LangdaleLangdale (Gibsons) →Horseshoe Bay16 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressHorseshoe Bay →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryBridgeport (Richmond) →Tsawwassen (Delta)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

The 620 is year-round, roughly hourly, timed to sailings, with two bike-rack spots. On busy summer ferry days the seasonal 900 Bike Bus can carry an extra 10 bikes.

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsTsawwassen (Delta) →Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island)67 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

Sailing times vary a lot by routing: some trips are about 50 minutes, others run 2 to 3 hours via Swartz Bay. Check the specific sailing before you book.

🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 9.2 km from Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

Option three · six legs📅 seasonal

The same trip, but with Budget for the rental car leg.

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 Campbell River, about 0.7 km.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River – NanaimoCampbell 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 Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressDuncan →Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)54 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 Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.

🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Swartz Bay (North Saanich)29 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 FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).

Option four · seven 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 YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (Crofton) to Crofton, about 0.5 km.

⛴️BC FerriesVesuvius – CroftonCrofton →Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island)5.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 15 km from Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

Show five moreShow fewer

Option five · seven legs

Another way: the same trip, but with Budget for the rental car leg.

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.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) to Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria), about 1.3 km.

⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).

Option six · six legs📅 seasonal

Same as Option one, but a ferry instead of the city bus.

CarrierRideYour bike

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 Campbell River, about 0.7 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1 km.

🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria Expressor the 8 Mill Bay via Telegraph Rd/Duncan via Shawnigan Lk or the 9 Mill Bay via Shawnigan Lk/Duncan via Telegraph RdDuncan →Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)17 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 FerriesBrentwood Bay – Mill BayDeloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay) →Brentwood Bay12 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

Daily, with fewer sailings on Sundays.

🚲Travel the short hop from Brentwood Bay to Swartz Bay (North Saanich), about 13 km.

⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).

Option seven · four legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal

A water taxi, two flights, and a SkyTrain.

CarrierRideYour bike

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 – Salt Spring (Ganges)CXH (Vancouver) →Ganges (Salt Spring Island)56 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

🚲At the far end, Central Salt Spring Island is about 9.9 km from Ganges (Salt Spring Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal

A water taxi, two coach buses, a city bus, and a ferry.

🚫 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

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 Campbell River, about 0.4 km.

🚌Island LinkIsland Express BusCampbell River →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange138 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes

⛴️BC FerriesFulford Harbour – Swartz BaySwartz Bay (North Saanich) →Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island)9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲You arrive at Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island).

Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal

A water taxi, a coach bus, two city buses, and a ferry.