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, ferries, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Quadra Island to Alert Bay.

For scale
As the crow flies136 km
Biking whole way213 km ยท 13 h 26 m
By car212 km ยท 3 h 20 m

We found three 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 · four legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCampbell River โ€“ Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) โ†’Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Campbell River to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Port HardyYBL (Campbell River) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)170 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy โ†’Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort McNeill โ€“ Sointula โ€“ Alert BayPort McNeill โ†’Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option two · five legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A ferry and a water taxi make a fun combination.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Quadra Island to Heriot Bay (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) โ€“ Whaletown (Cortes)Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) โ†’Whaletown (Cortes Island)11 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Whaletown (Cortes Island) to Manson's Landing (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km.
๐Ÿ›ฅ๏ธQaya Way West TransportationCampbell River โ€“ Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River โ€“ Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) โ†’Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file โ€” check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River โ€“ Port HardyYBL (Campbell River) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)170 kmOne-way between Island branches โ€” no drop chargeBike rides inside โ€” SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy โ†’Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort McNeill โ€“ Sointula โ€“ Alert BayPort McNeill โ†’Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant Island).
Option three · five legs✈ the splurge⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Fly most of the way, then let transit finish the trip.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesCampbell River โ€“ Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) โ†’Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Campbell River to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km.
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Campbell RiverYBL (Campbell River) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)173 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
โœˆ๏ธPacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver โ€“ Port HardyVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) โ†’YZT (Port Hardy)343 kmRides in the hold โ€” small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Port Hardy, about 10 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1/2 Port McNeill - Port HardyPort Hardy โ†’Port McNeill33 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Five trips a day on weekdays, two on Saturday, and no service on Sunday.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesPort McNeill โ€“ Sointula โ€“ Alert BayPort McNeill โ†’Alert Bay (Cormorant Island)14 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Alert Bay (Cormorant 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: Alert Bay to Quadra Island (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Connections from Quadra Island: Lund (best: ferry) · North Vancouver (best: ferry + rental car + bus) · Princeton (best: ferry + rental car + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: ferry + rental car + SkyTrain)

Connections from Alert Bay: Port Hardy (best: ferry + bus) · Ocean Falls (best: ferry + bus) · Vancouver (best: ferry + bus + rental car) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + train)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Alert Bay