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 and flights can carry you and your bike from Mayne Island to Gabriola Island.
For scale
As the crow flies54 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car78 km Β· 2 h 24 m
We found seven ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
π 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 · five legs
Not far, just fiddly.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesTsawwassen β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βTsawwassen (Delta)32 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β 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.
πTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) βBridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β first come, first servedE-bikes OK
620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferry: 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.
900 Bike Bus: Seasonal: June 12 to September 7, Fridays, weekends and holidays; hourly, timed to ferry sailings. Carries 10 bikes.
πSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) βVancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free β 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
π²Travel 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.
β΄οΈHulloHullo (Nanaimo β Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) βHullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead β 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β $25 in personNo e-bikes β no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
π²Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option two · five legs
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesSwartz Bay β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βSwartz Bay (North Saanich)19 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
πBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) βDouglas 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
π²Travel 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.
πBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) βDuncan54 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
πBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan βBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
π²Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.1 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option three · five legs
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesSwartz Bay β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βSwartz Bay (North Saanich)19 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²Travel the short hop from Swartz Bay (North Saanich) to Brentwood Bay, about 13 km.
πBC Transit75 Saanichton / Royal Oak / DowntownBrentwood Bay βLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria)20 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
πBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) βDuncan54 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
πBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan βBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
π²Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.1 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option four · seven legs
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesTsawwassen β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βTsawwassen (Delta)32 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β 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.
πTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) βBridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β 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.
πSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) βStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free β 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
πTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) βHorseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β first come, first servedE-bikes OK
β΄οΈBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay β Departure BayHorseshoe Bay βDeparture Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
πBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) βDowntown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 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
π²Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.6 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
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Option five · five legs
Same as Option two, but a ferry instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesSwartz Bay β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βSwartz Bay (North Saanich)19 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²Travel the short hop from Swartz Bay (North Saanich) to Brentwood Bay, about 13 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesBrentwood Bay β Mill BayBrentwood Bay βDeloume 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.
πBC 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) βDuncan17 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
πBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan βBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
π²Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Nanaimo Harbour, about 1.1 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option six · five legs📅 seasonal
Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the SkyTrain.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesTsawwassen β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βTsawwassen (Delta)32 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β 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.
πTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) βBridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes β 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.
πQuick Shuttle (Quick Coach Lines / TRAXX)Vancouver β Seattle (SeaTac)Bridgeport (Richmond) βVancouver Canada Place10 kmBikes accepted β book as an add-on$42 USD each β about $57 CAD
Runs year-round; winter service drops to FridayβMonday only.
π²Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
β΄οΈHulloHullo (Nanaimo β Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) βHullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead β 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way β $25 in personNo e-bikes β no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
π²Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Nanaimo Harbour, about 0.9 km.
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You arrive at Descanso Bay (Gabriola Island).
Option seven · five legs✈ the splurge
The scenic splurge: a floatplane over the water.
CarrierRideYour bike
β΄οΈBC FerriesSwartz Bay β Southern Gulf IslandsVillage Bay (Mayne Island) βSwartz Bay (North Saanich)19 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
πBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / DowntownSwartz Bay (North Saanich) βDouglas 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
π²Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Victoria Belleville Terminal, about 0.7 km.
π©οΈHarbour AirVancouver Harbour β Victoria HarbourVictoria Belleville Terminal βCXH (Vancouver)98 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee β bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter β other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
π©οΈHarbour AirVancouver Harbour β Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) βNanaimo Harbour60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee β bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter β other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
β΄οΈBC FerriesNanaimo Harbour β Descanso Bay (Gabriola)Nanaimo Harbour βDescanso Bay (Gabriola Island)5.4 kmRoll on, free β no reservation neededE-bikes OK β no charging on board
π²You 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 Mayne Island (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus)
Connections from Mayne Island: Chemainus (best: ferry + bus) · Port Alberni (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Salmon Arm (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)
Connections from Gabriola Island: Chemainus (best: ferry + bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Vernon (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Whitehorse, YT (best: ferry + SkyTrain + plane)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Mayne Island and Gabriola Island