West Vancouver to Cortes Island 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, water taxis, rental cars and flights can carry you and your bike from West Vancouver to Cortes Island.

For scale

As the crow flies156 km

Biking whole way273 km · 15 h 43 m

By car322 km · 6 h 22 m

We found six ways to get you there.

🎒 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⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

One long leg does most of the travelling.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay11 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 / DoverDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) →Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.

🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Campbell River – NanaimoDowntown Nanaimo →Campbell River134 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 Campbell River to Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River), about 0.7 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Bee-Line Taxi might help.

🛥️Discovery Launch Water TaxiCampbell River – Cortes IslandFishermans Wharf (Campbell River) →Cortes Island landing19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Cortes Island landing.

Option two · five legs📅 seasonal

A little bit of everything.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)5.7 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →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: Campbell River – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Campbell River – Nanaimo) (counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →Campbell River134 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 Campbell River to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 0.7 km.

🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary Islandor Discovery Launch Water Taxi (Campbell River – Cortes Island) (doesn't run every day)Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) →Manson's Landing (Cortes Island)19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Option three · five legs📅 seasonal

Same as Option two, but a SeaBus instead of the SkyTrain.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎TransLinkR2 Marine Dr RapidBusPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Lonsdale Quay (North Vancouver)4.5 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

⛴️SeaBusTransLinkLonsdale Quay (North Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada Place3.5 kmRoll on, free — bikes ride inside the cabin6 bikes per sailing at rush hour — weekdays 7–9:30 am and 3–6:30 pm; no limit other timesE-bikes OK — no charging on boardNo trailers — 185 cm max bike length

Bikes ride inside the cabin; during weekday rush hours there's room for six bikes a sailing.

🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 0.7 km.

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Option four · four legs📅 seasonal

Fill in the gap with a rental car.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Vancouver Canada Place5 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes

Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.

🚲Travel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo, about 1.5 km.

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 0.7 km.

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Show five moreShow fewer

Option five · five legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule

Same as Option one, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚌Squamish ConnectorSquamish – VancouverPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Horseshoe Bay11 kmBook aheadMax 2 bikes per tripSome buses have an outside rack — otherwise carried in the luggage hold$15 each wayNo e-bikes

Bikes welcome May to September; check schedule outside that window.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

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

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Fishermans Wharf (Campbell River), about 0.7 km.

🛥️Discovery Launch Water TaxiCampbell River – Cortes IslandFishermans Wharf (Campbell River) →Cortes Island landing19 kmPolicy not on file — check with the operator

Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Cortes Island landing.

Option six · four legs✈ the splurge📅 seasonal

A city bus, a SkyTrain, a plane, and a water taxi.

CarrierRideYour bike

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)5.7 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)Roll on, free — 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK

✈️Pacific Coastal AirlinesVancouver – Campbell RiverVancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond) →YBL (Campbell River)173 kmRides in the hold — small aircraft, limited spaceAbout $105 per directionNo e-bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from YBL (Campbell River) to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 8.7 km.

🛥️Qaya Way West TransportationCampbell River – Savary IslandCoast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River) →Manson's Landing (Cortes Island)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.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Not an option · four legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal

A ferry, a city bus, a coach bus, and a water taxi.

🚫 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

🚲First, get from West Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, about 11 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

⛴️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 kmFront rack, no fee — 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only — lithium battery off the bike and carried on board

🚌Island LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Campbell River138 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 0.4 km.

Qaya Way West Transportation: Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

Discovery Launch Water Taxi: Scheduled Fridays and Sundays in summer (also calls at Savary, Hernando and Lund); otherwise by charter.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal

A city bus, a SkyTrain, a ferry, a coach bus, and a water taxi.

🚫 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

🚎TransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressPark Royal (West Vancouver) →Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)5.7 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes — first come, first servedE-bikes OK

🚝SkyTrainTransLinkStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) →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.

🚲Travel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, about 1 km.

🚌Island LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Campbell River138 kmDoes not carry bikes

🚲Travel the short hop from Campbell River to Coast Marina (Island Hwy) (Campbell River), about 0.4 km.

Southern run daily June 26 to September 7, calling at Manson's Landing and Hernando; reservations required.

🚲You arrive at Manson's Landing (Cortes Island).

Not an option · five legs🚫 not possible with a bike

Three ferries, a city bus, and a coach bus.

🚫 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

🚲First, get from West Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, about 11 km. Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

⛴️BC FerriesHorseshoe Bay – Departure BayHorseshoe Bay →Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚌Island LinkIsland Express BusDowntown Nanaimo Exchange →Campbell River138 kmDoes not carry bikes

⛴️BC FerriesCampbell River – Quathiaski Cove (Quadra)Campbell River →Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island)2.9 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board

🚲Travel the short hop from Quathiaski Cove (Quadra Island) to Heriot Bay (Quadra Island), about 6.8 km.

⛴️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

🚲At the far end, Central Cortes Island is about 7.4 km from Whaletown (Cortes Island). Ride it, or take a local bus or taxi.

Route facts last checked October 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: Cortes Island to West Vancouver (best: water taxi + bus + ferry)

Connections from West Vancouver: Maple Ridge (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Cumberland (best: ferry + bus) · Castlegar (best: bus + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + SkyTrain + plane)

Connections from Cortes Island: Texada Island (best: water taxi + bus + ferry) · Delta (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry) · Salmon Arm (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: water taxi + rental car + ferry)

Check out BC Bike Stops in West Vancouver

To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia