Sailings here are infrequent and oversized space is scarce. Pick your travel date, watch a sold-out sailing, and we text you, free, if a spot opens.
Saturna is the hardest of the five to reach in a large vehicle, for a reason that has nothing to do with the size of the allocation. There is no direct sailing from Tsawwassen. Every itinerary is a transfer at another Gulf Island or a thru-fare via Swartz Bay, and an oversized booking has to hold over-height space on each leg.
That is two chances to be turned away rather than one. The availability below is oversized space only.
Why oversized space goes first
Two legs, both of which have to work
A transfer itinerary needs over-height room on the sailing that takes you to the connecting island and on the one that finishes the trip. Either leg being full ends the booking, which is why oversized space to Saturna disappears earlier than the raw allocation would suggest.
The thinnest schedule in the group
Fewer daily departures serve Saturna than any other Gulf Islands crossing FerryHawk watches, so each one carries more of the day's over-height demand and a missed spot rolls onto a much later boat rather than the next one.
Is your vehicle oversized?
Over 7' / 2.13 m tall or over 20' / 6.10 m long books as oversized, the same rule as every other route, measured to the highest fixed point and across the full combined length.
Declare accurately and book early. On a transfer itinerary there is no opportunity to sort out a size discrepancy at the terminal without losing the connection.
The full rules, and what they mean for fares and loading, are in the BC Ferries oversized vehicle guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct sailing for an RV from Tsawwassen to Saturna?
No. There is no direct Tsawwassen to Lyall Harbour sailing for any vehicle. Every itinerary is a transfer at another Gulf Island or a thru-fare via Swartz Bay, and your oversized space has to be held on each leg.
Why is oversized space so tight on this route?
Fewer sailings a day than any other Gulf Islands crossing, a small over-height allocation on a small vessel, and a transfer that has to work twice.
How far ahead should I book a trailer or camper?
Further ahead than for any other route in this group. The combination of a thin schedule and a two-leg itinerary means late bookings frequently have no option at all rather than a worse one.
What counts as oversized?
Anything over 7' / 2.13 m tall or over 20' / 6.10 m long, trailers included.
Can I drive up with a trailer and take my chances?
Standby space is held, but with so few sailings and so little over-height room, and a connection to make on the far side, a missed spot here can mean a very long wait.