Getting to Mayne Island Without a Car: Ferry, Floatplane and Getting Around
Quick answer: Take transit to Tsawwassen (from Vancouver) or Swartz Bay (from Victoria) and walk on a BC Ferries sailing to Village Bay, or fly Seair from Richmond to Miners Bay. On the island, use the volunteer Community Bus, the Car Stop ride program, your feet or a bike.
Lots of our visitors arrive with a backpack and a bike, not a car. It is cheaper, it skips the vehicle lineups, and it suits the pace of island life. Mayne is small, and with a bit of planning you can get here from Vancouver or Victoria on public transit and a ferry, or hop over by floatplane. This guide walks you through each route step by step, then covers how to get around once you are here. We link to the official sites for schedules and fares, since those change through the year.
Why come without a car
Plan your rides before you leave home. On Mayne, a little notice goes a long way.
What to know before you go
Schedules change by season. BC Ferries publishes separate schedules for winter, spring, summer and fall, and some Tsawwassen sailings stop at other islands before Mayne. Always check the day you travel.
Fares change too, so we do not quote them here. Use the fare information on bcferries.com for current foot passenger and bicycle pricing, and look into Prepaid or Saver fares if you travel often.
Pack light and pack for weather. You may walk a fair way with your bags, and it can rain hard in the shoulder seasons. Bring a water bottle, snacks for the sailing, and cash for donations and small shops.
Our stores have limited hours, especially in winter. If you arrive late, have dinner sorted. Our dining guides can help you plan.
From Vancouver: transit to Tsawwassen, then walk on
- Ride the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station. Bikes are allowed on the Canada Line at all times, one per car.
- Take TransLink bus 620 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. The trip from Bridgeport takes roughly 35 minutes. Weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules differ, so check the TransLink trip planner before you go. Each bus carries two bikes on the front rack. If it is full, you wait for the next one.
- Buy a foot passenger ticket for the Southern Gulf Islands. Ask for Mayne Island (Village Bay). Some sailings run direct in about an hour. Others stop at other islands first and take much longer, so read the schedule closely.
- Walk or wheel your bike aboard and get off at Village Bay.
From Vancouver via Swartz Bay (the thru fare)
If no direct Tsawwassen sailing suits you, you can go Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, then connect to Mayne. BC Ferries calls this a thru fare.
- See a ticket agent at Tsawwassen. The self-serve kiosks do not sell thru fares to foot passengers. Tell them your final stop is Mayne and you will get a voucher.
- At Swartz Bay, show your voucher at the ticket booth to get your ticket for the island sailing.
- Use it on the next available sailing. Connections are not guaranteed. If you miss the last boat to Mayne, the voucher is good on any sailing before noon the next day.
Going home the same way? Buy your thru fare voucher at the Village Bay ticket booth or from staff on board, then show it at Swartz Bay.
From Victoria or Sidney: transit to Swartz Bay
- Catch a BC Transit bus to Swartz Bay. From downtown Victoria, routes 70, 70X, 71, 72 and 72A serve the terminal. Route 81 runs from Sidney and route 76 from UVic. Details are on BC Transit's connecting with BC Ferries page.
- Buy a foot passenger ticket to Mayne Island. The Swartz Bay to Gulf Islands route does not take bookings, so just arrive in good time.
- Board and ride to Village Bay. A direct sailing takes about 50 minutes.
Remember that Victoria buses and Vancouver buses use different fare systems. Your Compass card will not work on BC Transit.
By floatplane
Seair Seaplanes flies every day between its Richmond terminal at YVR South and Miners Bay, right in our little village. It is only about 38 km, so the flight is short. There are morning and late-afternoon flights each way. Exact times change with the season, so check the Mayne Island schedule before you book. Pets are welcome and Seair offers free parking at its Richmond terminal. Ask about baggage limits and bikes when you book, or call 1-800-447-3247.
We could not confirm any other airline running scheduled flights to Mayne right now. Charter flights may be possible. Contact operators directly.
Getting around once you are here
- Mayne Island Community Bus. A volunteer-run, donation-based service that meets ferries and floatplanes. It carries luggage, bikes and wheelchairs. Book at least a day ahead through its online scheduler or call or text 250-539-0851. It is not an on-call taxi.
- Day Tripper bus to Sidney and Victoria. Every Tuesday, the Day Tripper leaves the Mayne Island Library at 6:00 a.m. and the top of the ferry terminal at 6:10 a.m. for the 6:40 a.m. sailing to Swartz Bay, with drop-offs in Sidney (and Victoria as needed). It comes back on the 4:20 p.m. sailing. Both sailings have assured loading. It is run by the Mayne Island Assisted Living Society (MIALS) with the Community Bus and is open to everyone. The fare covers the bus and return ferry: $15 for seniors and children, $25 for adults, cash or e-transfer. There are 22 seats a week, so book ahead by calling or texting 250-213-6191. Space for groceries is limited, and coolers must be soft and fit under your seat.
- Car Stops. Look for the green-and-white Car Stop signs at about 25 pullouts around the island. Locals give free rides from them. Car Stop #1 is across Village Bay Road from the terminal gate. Drivers and riders both choose, and you ride at your own risk.
- Walking. The Mayne Island Regional Trail, a gravel path of about 2.3 km, links the Village Bay terminal with Miners Bay. Be ready for a climb: the walk from the ferry is uphill most of the way, so allow 45 minutes or more with bags.
- Cycling. Our roads are narrow and winding, with no shoulders or bike lanes, and some hills are steep. Helmets are the law in BC. Use lights and bright clothing if you ride near dusk.
- Taxis. There is no taxi service on Mayne. Plan your rides before you arrive.
- Your host. Some places to stay will meet you at the ferry. Ask when you book through our accommodations directory.
For live sailing status and departures, see our BC Ferries page.
Before you leave home
Download the Car-Free Checklist
Car-free packing and planning checklist
- Check today's ferry schedule and status
- Book the Community Bus at least a day ahead
- Heading to Sidney on a Tuesday? Reserve the Day Tripper
- Ask your host if they offer a ferry pickup
- Compass card for Vancouver, separate fare for Victoria buses
- Helmet, lights and a lock if you are cycling
- Rain layer and comfortable walking shoes
- Water, snacks and some cash for donations
- Offline map and your host's phone number
A printable checklist for booking rides, paying fares and packing light.
Download the Car-Free Checklist
