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, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Quadra Island to Lake Cowichan.
For scale
As the crow flies159 km
Biking whole way247 km · 15 h 10 m
By car233 km · 2 h 39 m
We found three ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.
🎒 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
One long leg does most of the travelling.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel 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.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo)YBL (Campbell River) →Downtown Nanaimo127 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture 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 Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Option two · six legs📅 seasonal
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
🚲First, get from Central Quadra Island to Heriot Bay (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
⛴️BC FerriesHeriot Bay (Quadra) – Whaletown (Cortes)Heriot Bay (Quadra Island) →Whaletown (Cortes Island)11 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Whaletown (Cortes Island) to Manson's Landing (Cortes Island), about 7.4 km.
🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River – Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Manson's Landing (Cortes Island) →Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator
Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.
🚲Travel the short hop from Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.
🚙National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimoor Budget (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo)YBL (Campbell River) →Downtown Nanaimo127 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 Downtown Nanaimo to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), about 1.3 km.
🚎BC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDeparture 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 Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike
A ferry, a coach bus, and two city buses.
🚫 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)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲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 Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike
A ferry, two coach buses, and two city buses.
🚫 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)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express Busor West Coast Trail Express (Juan de Fuca Trail route) (seasonal)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲Travel 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.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Show three moreShow fewer
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 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)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚲Travel the short hop from Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) to Douglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria), about 1.9 km.
🚎BC Transit99 SVX Shawnigan Lake - Victoria ExpressDouglas & Finlayson - Mayfair (Victoria) →Deloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay)28 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit8 Mill Bay via Telegraph Rd/Duncan via Shawnigan Lkor the 9 Mill Bay via Shawnigan Lk/Duncan via Telegraph RdDeloume Park & Ride (Mill Bay) →Duncan17 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Another way: a ferry, two coach buses, and two city buses.
🚫 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)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚌Island LinkVictoria Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)92 kmDoes not carry bikes
🚎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 Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
Option seven · six legs✈ the splurge
The scenic splurge: hop a flight.
CarrierRideYour bike
⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) →Campbell River2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to YBL (Campbell River), about 8.3 km.
✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Campbell RiverYBL (Campbell River) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)173 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 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. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
🛩️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 Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria), about 0.7 km.
🚎BC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) →Duncan54 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚎BC Transit7 Cowichan LakeDuncan →South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan)27 kmRack on the bus, free — 2 bikes · first come, first servedE-bikes OK
🚲You arrive at South Shore Rd & King George (Lake Cowichan).
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: Lake Cowichan to Quadra Island (best: bus + rental car + ferry)
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 Lake Cowichan: Thetis Island (best: bus + ferry) · West Vancouver (best: bus + ferry) · Princeton (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)
Check out BC Bike Stops in Lake Cowichan