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: ferries, trains, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Nanaimo to Quadra Island.
For scale
As the crow flies134 km
Biking whole way167 km · 10 h 14 m
By car161 km · 1 h 54 m
We found two ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
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 · two legs
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲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: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YBL (Campbell River)127 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 YBL (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 8.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Campbell River →Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island)2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island).
Not an option · two legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Coach bus to Campbell River, then a ferry into Quathiaski Cove.
🚫 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 FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Campbell River →Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island)2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island).
Option three · four legs✈ the splurge
The scenic splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
🛩️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
🚲Travel the short hop from CXH (Vancouver) to Vancouver Canada Place, about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkVancouver Canada Place →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Campbell RiverVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YBL (Campbell River)173 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from YBL (Campbell River) to Campbell River, about 8.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Campbell River →Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island)2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island).
Route facts last checked July 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: Quadra Island to Nanaimo (best: ferry + rental car)
Connections from Nanaimo: North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) (best: bus) · Texada Island (best: ferry + bus) · Kelowna (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + SkyTrain + bus)
Connections from Quadra Island: Comox (best: ferry + rental car) · Vancouver (best: ferry + rental car) · Merritt (best: ferry + rental car + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + rental car + SkyTrain)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Nanaimo