BC Cycle Tourism Society

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 and ferries can carry you and your bike from Galiano Island to Penelakut Island.

For scale
As the crow flies27 km
Biking whole way52 km Β· 3 h 31 m
By car137 km Β· 3 h 12 m

We found five ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

πŸŽ’ 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Not far, just fiddly.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) β†’Duncan54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan β†’Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) β†’Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus β†’Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option one, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) β†’Duncan46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan β†’Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) β†’Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus β†’Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option three · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a ferry instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Swartz Bay (North Saanich) to Brentwood Bay, about 13 km.
⛴️BC FerriesBrentwood Bay – Mill BayBrentwood Bay β†’Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)12 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
Daily, with fewer sailings on Sundays.
🚎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 RdDeloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay) β†’Duncan17 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan β†’Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) β†’Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus β†’Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector β€” Vancouver / VictoriaSwartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or boxed$42 per bike β€” 50 lb maxReserve bike spot β€” recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) β†’Duncan54 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan β†’Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) β†’Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus β†’Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option five · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsSturdies Bay (Galiano Island) β†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)23 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector β€” Vancouver / VictoriaSwartz Bay (North Saanich) β†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmRides in the hold β€” bagged or boxed$42 per bike β€” 50 lb maxReserve bike spot β€” recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) β†’Duncan46 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan β†’Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) β†’Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmFront rack, no fee β€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only β€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus β†’Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free β€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK β€” no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut 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: Penelakut Island to Galiano Island (best: ferry + bus)

Connections from Galiano Island: Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: ferry + bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Armstrong (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Connections from Penelakut Island: Lake Cowichan (best: ferry + bus) · Langford (best: ferry + bus) · Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · Seattle, WA (best: ferry + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Galiano Island