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, trains, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from Salt Spring Island to Denman Island.

For scale
As the crow flies131 km
Biking whole way234 km ยท 11 h 14 m
By car233 km ยท 3 h 31 m

We found six ways to get you there, ferries doing the heavy lifting.

๐ŸŽ’ 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 · six legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
A carpool saves the day.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island), about 15 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Silver Shadow Taxi Ltd. might help.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesVesuvius โ€“ CroftonVesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Crofton5.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Crofton to Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan), about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusJoan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) โ†’Duncan11 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option two · seven legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
Pack patience, it connects.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesFulford Harbour โ€“ Swartz Bayor BC Ferries (Swartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf Islands)Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)9.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 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
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan - Victoria ExpressLegislature Exch (Belleville St) Bay G (Victoria) โ†’Duncan54 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option three · seven legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
The same idea as Option two, on different routes.
CarrierRideYour bike
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesFulford Harbour โ€“ Swartz Bayor BC Ferries (Swartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf Islands)Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)9.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit66 CVX Cowichan-Victoria ExpressDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Duncan46 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option four · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A one-way rental fills in the missing piece.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island), about 15 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesVesuvius โ€“ CroftonVesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Crofton5.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Crofton to Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan), about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusJoan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) โ†’Duncan11 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / DoverDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)3.3 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.3 km.
๐Ÿš™National Car & Truck Rental (Vancouver Island)One-way rental: Comox โ€“ NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo โ†’Comox Airport (YQQ)88 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit11 Airport via Powell R. Ferry / DowntownComox Airport (YQQ) โ†’Courtenay8.3 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
One loop serves both the Little River ferry terminal and Comox airport; about 5โ€“7 trips a day, and Sunday service is unconfirmed.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Show five moreShow fewer
Option five · seven legs📱 schedule erratic — check the Poparide app
The long way round, but it works.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island), about 9.2 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsLong Harbour (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)67 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŽTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) โ†’Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” 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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel 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.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
๐Ÿš—PoparideIsland Hwy rideshare (Nanaimo - Courtenay)Downtown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmOnly some rides take bikes โ€” look for the bicycle icon on the listingSchedule is variable โ€” check Poparide for driver-listed dates and times
Only book rides that say they permit bicycles (bike icon on the listing).
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike
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
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island), about 15 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesVesuvius โ€“ CroftonVesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Crofton5.9 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Crofton to Joan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan), about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit6 Crofton-ChemainusJoan & Queen - Saltspring Ferry (North Cowichan) โ†’Duncan11 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
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressDuncan โ†’Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch46 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Not an option · six legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Another way: 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesFulford Harbour โ€“ Swartz Bayor BC Ferries (Swartz Bay โ€“ Southern Gulf Islands)Fulford Harbour (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Swartz Bay (North Saanich)9.4 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 Swartz Bay / Downtownor the 72 Swartz Bay / Downtown (via Saanichton)Swartz Bay (North Saanich) โ†’Douglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria)29 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
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkVictoria Express BusDouglas St at Pandora Ave (Victoria) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange92 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Not an option · seven legs🚫 not possible with a bike
Seven 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
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Long Harbour (Salt Spring Island), about 9.2 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesTsawwassen โ€“ Southern Gulf IslandsLong Harbour (Salt Spring Island) โ†’Tsawwassen (Delta)67 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” 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.
๐ŸšŽTransLink620 Bridgeport Station / Tsawwassen FerryTsawwassen (Delta) โ†’Bridgeport (Richmond)22 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” 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.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkBridgeport (Richmond) โ†’Vancouver Canada PlaceRoll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.
๐ŸšŒIsland LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange โ†’Courtenay97 kmDoes not carry bikes
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
Option 9 · five legs✈ the splurge
Two flights, two city buses, and a ferry.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšฒFirst, get from Central Salt Spring Island to Ganges (Salt Spring Island), about 9.9 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Salt Spring (Ganges)Ganges (Salt Spring Island) โ†’CXH (Vancouver)56 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ ComoxCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Comox Harbour138 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Comox Harbour to Comox Mall Bay B, about 0.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit1 Comox Mall / Anfield Centre via N.I.C.Comox Mall Bay B โ†’Anfield Centre (Courtenay)4 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
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Anfield Centre (Courtenay) to Courtenay, about 2.9 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit10 Fanny Bay / Deep Bay / Downtown CourtenayCourtenay โ†’Buckley Bay20 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
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesBuckley Bay โ€“ Denman WestBuckley Bay โ†’Denman Island West2.5 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at Denman Island West.
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: Denman Island to Salt Spring Island (best: ferry + bus + carpool)

Connections from Salt Spring Island: Langford (best: ferry + bus) · Mission (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · Armstrong (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain) · New Hazelton (best: ferry + bus + SkyTrain)

Connections from Denman Island: Texada Island (best: ferry + bus) · Tofino (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Port Moody (best: ferry + bus + carpool) · Prince Rupert (best: ferry + bus + rental car)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Salt Spring Island and Denman Island