When are you travelling? Pick your date and see which sailings are sold out. Watch one and we text you, free, if a spot opens.
Sturdies Bay is the closest Gulf Islands terminal to Tsawwassen by sailing route, and on a non-stop departure the crossing is 55 minutes. That makes it the fastest way from the mainland to any of the Southern Gulf Islands, faster than the run to Victoria.
It is also the widest spread of the five. Most Tsawwassen departures to Sturdies Bay are the 55-minute non-stop; a minority call at Salt Spring, Mayne or Pender first and take up to 2 hours 45 minutes. Same route, same terminal, three times the journey. The stop details on the sailing tell you which one you have booked.
Being an early call on the multi-island runs helps the mainland-bound side of the ledger, because the ship reaches Galiano with its deck still mostly empty. It does not raise the ceiling: the vessel is small, the daily schedule is short, and a sold-out sailing releases cancellations that a free FerryHawk alert will text you about.
When this route sells out
Tsawwassen → Sturdies Bay: hikers and cabin owners want the same boat
Galiano's trails and provincial parkland pull weekend outdoor traffic on top of the usual cottage demand, and the 55-minute non-stop departures on Friday and Saturday absorb both. Those specific sailings sell out well before the slower multi-stop ones on the same day, which is the first place to look when the fast one has gone.
Sturdies Bay → Tsawwassen: Sunday, and the pickup-order effect
Sunday afternoon is the busiest window home. Whether space is left when the ship reaches Galiano depends on where its run started: a sailing that has already collected from Salt Spring and Pender arrives fuller than one heading straight back. Check the specific departure's stop order when timing is tight.
Oversized vehicles, RVs, and trailers
Over-height space (over 7' / 2.13 m tall or over 20' / 6.10 m long) is limited to a small number of spots per sailing here, shared with whatever the run picked up at other islands. Galiano's camping and hiking traffic means camper vans and trailer-towed gear compete for them all summer. Book the spot, and set a FerryHawk oversized alert to catch a cancellation if it is gone.
The BC Ferries oversized vehicle guide covers the height and length thresholds, what counts toward your measurement, and why over-height space sells out first. For this crossing specifically, see live oversized availability on Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ⇄ Galiano Island (Sturdies Bay).
Travelling without a reservation
Drive-up rules are not the same on every crossing, and one direction stopped taking drive-up traffic in October 2025. See which routes still allow drive-up, how much of each deck is held back for the queue, and what to do on the direction that takes none.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Tsawwassen to Galiano Island?
55 minutes on a non-stop sailing, which is most of them, and up to 2 hours 45 minutes when the ship calls at Salt Spring, Mayne or Pender first. Check the stop details on your specific departure.
Is Galiano the fastest Gulf Island to reach from Tsawwassen?
Yes. At 55 minutes non-stop, Sturdies Bay is the quickest mainland crossing to any Southern Gulf Island, and quicker than the run to Victoria.
The Tsawwassen to Galiano ferry is sold out. What now?
Set a free FerryHawk alert for the sailing you want. Also check the other departures that day: the fast non-stop sailings sell out first, so a slower multi-stop one is often still open.
How far ahead should I book to Galiano Island?
Earlier than for a mainland crossing, particularly for Friday and Saturday sailings in hiking and camping season, when outdoor and cottage traffic peak on the same boats.
Can I drive up without a reservation?
Standby space is held on every sailing, but it is a small deck. On a busy weekend expect a real chance of waiting for a later sailing.
Does FerryHawk track oversized space to Galiano Island?
Yes, separately from standard vehicles and in both directions. Worth an alert given how few over-height spots the route carries per sailing.