Pender Island to Haida Gwaii 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, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Pender Island to Haida Gwaii.

For scale

As the crow flies783 km

Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.

By car1,732 km · 25 h 28 m

We found five 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 · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.

CarrierRideYour bike

⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)14 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 Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚲Travel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.

🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

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

🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)295 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.

⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Prince Rupert (Inside Passage)Bear Cove (Port Hardy) →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)445 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

⛴️BC FerriesPrince Rupert – Skidegate (Haida Gwaii)Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St) →Skidegate (Graham Island)160 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham Island).

Option two · eight 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 IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚎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 Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan →Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

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

🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK

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

🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham Island).

Option three · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Mostly a boat trip, really.

CarrierRideYour bike

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Tsawwassen (Delta)27 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.

🚎TransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen Ferryor the 900 Bike Bus (seasonal)Tsawwassen (Delta) →Bridgeport (Richmond)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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (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.

⛴️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 Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham Island).

Option four · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Ride The Canadian through the mountains.

CarrierRideYour bike

⛴️BC FerriesTsawwassen – Southern Gulf IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Tsawwassen (Delta)27 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.

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.

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) →Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

🚆VIA RailThe Canadian (Vancouver – Kamloops North – Jasper)Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) →Jasper AB541 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Two departures a week in season; bikes can be checked on and off at Vancouver and Jasper only.

🚆VIA RailSkeena (Prince Rupert – Prince George – Jasper)Jasper AB →Downtown Prince Rupert (2nd Ave at 3rd St)922 kmChecked baggage — staffed stations only, including Vancouver BC and Jasper AB$25 per directionE-bikes OK — battery disconnected at check-in

Three departures a week; the trip includes an overnight stop in Prince George (book your own hotel).

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham Island).

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Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Six legs, end to end.

🚫 This chain exists, but West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.

CarrierRideYour bike

⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚌West Coast Trail ExpressJuan de Fuca Trail routeor Island Link (Victoria Express Bus)Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange157 kmDoes not carry bikes

Runs May 1 to September 30.

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 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 YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham Island).

Option six · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Three ferries and two flights, riding the Inside Passage.

CarrierRideYour bike

⛴️BC FerriesSwartz Bay – Southern Gulf IslandsOtter Bay (Pender Island) →Swartz Bay (Victoria)14 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Swartz Bay (Victoria) to YYJ (Victoria), about 4.7 km.

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – VictoriaYYJ (Victoria) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)63 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km.

Sails alternate days, roughly 3–4 sailings a week each way in summer.

About 5–6 sailings a week; no Tuesday sailing westbound and no Sunday sailing eastbound.

🚲You arrive at Skidegate (Graham 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: Haida Gwaii to Pender Island (best: ferry + rental car + bus)

Connections from Pender Island: North Cowichan (Chemainus & Crofton) (best: ferry + bus) · Maple Ridge (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Kamloops (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Connections from Haida Gwaii: Prince Rupert (best: ferry) · Courtenay (Comox Valley) (best: ferry + rental car) · Surrey (best: ferry + rental car + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + bus)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Pender Island