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 Nelson to Penelakut Island.
For scale
As the crow flies466 km
Biking whole way731 km · 50 h 27 m
By car782 km · 10 h 36 m
We found six 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 · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Grab a window seat, the scenery's included.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNelson →New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →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.
⛴️HulloHullo (Nanaimo – Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) →Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead — 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way — $25 in personNo e-bikes — no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option two · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The coach takes care of the long stretch.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNelson →Downtown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie)511 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressDowntown Vancouver (Dunsmuir at Cambie) →Horseshoe Bay19 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK
⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲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 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option three · 9 legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Halfway across the province, no car required.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNelson →New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Bridgeport (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 – Swartz BayTsawwassen (Delta) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (Victoria) →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Terminal (Victoria), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bluebird Cabs, Sidney Taxi might help.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Terminal (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option four · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A few connections, but each one moves you closer.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNelson →New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Bridgeport (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.
🚌Wilson's Transportation (BC Connector)BC Ferries Connector — Vancouver / VictoriaTsawwassen (Delta) →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)70 kmRides in the hold — bagged or boxed$42 per bike — 50 lb maxReserve bike spot — recommended
⛴️ Downtown to downtown via the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay ferry crossing.
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Legislature Terminal (Victoria), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Terminal (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
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Option five · 9 legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same idea as Option three, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚌Mountain Man Mike'sKaslo – VancouverNelson →New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote — fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
🚝SkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster →Bridgeport (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Bridgeport (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 – Swartz BayTsawwassen (Delta) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)41 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚎BC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (Victoria) →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Duncan46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut Island.
Option six · eight legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A lot of connections, but it gets you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚎BC Transit99 Kootenay ConnectorNelson →Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar)31 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Hwy 3A at Ootischenia Rd (Castlegar) to Castlegar, about 2.8 km.
✈️Air CanadaVancouver (YVR) – Castlegar (YCG)Castlegar →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)402 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 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.
🛩️Harbour AirVancouver Harbour – Victoria HarbourCXH (Vancouver) →Victoria Harbour98 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 Victoria Harbour to Legislature Terminal (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Terminal (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit36 Ladysmith-Duncan ExpressDuncan →Coronation Mall (Ladysmith)24 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit34 Ladysmith-ChemainusCoronation Mall (Ladysmith) →Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan)8.1 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲Travel the short hop from Pine & Daniel (North Cowichan) to Chemainus, about 1.3 km.
⛴️BC FerriesChemainus – Thetis – PenelakutChemainus →Penelakut Island9.4 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲You arrive at Penelakut 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: Penelakut Island to Nelson (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)
Connections from Nelson: Castlegar (best: bus) · Port Coquitlam (best: bus + SkyTrain + train) · Duncan (Cowichan Valley) (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Prince Rupert (best: bus + ferry + rental car)
Connections from Penelakut Island: Mill Bay (best: ferry + bus) · Saanich (best: ferry + bus) · Port Renfrew (best: ferry + bus) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Nelson