Tuesday July 27, 2021 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Jalen Codrington & Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Be prepared for long sailing waits this weekend, says BC Ferries. According to the corporation, the BC Day weekend sees the highest traffic volumes of the year.
“The most popular travel times are Thursday and Friday afternoon, as well as Saturday morning,” said the company, “with lots of travellers departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. BC Day Monday and the following Tuesday morning are typically the most popular times for people to return from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.”
Long weekend dates:
The BC Day long weekend this year runs from Saturday July 31 through Monday August 2, though many keen travellers will depart on Thursday and Friday, and possibly even return on Tuesday after the peak travel period.
BC Day is one of 10 statutory holidays in the province of British Columbia, observed on the first Monday of August each year.
Step 3 allows for travel within BC:
With high provincial vaccination rates, many British Columbians are again comfortable travelling, and will be flocking to the ferries this August long weekend. For more efficient travelling, BC Ferries offers a number of tips for vacationers.
Plan ahead:
Parking lots at the BC Ferries terminals often fill up quickly during busy summer weekends. The company advises taking transit if possible, or arranging to be dropped off. When parking lots fill up, BC Ferries informs customers via Twitter @BCFerries, and on the BC Ferries website.
The company also suggests taking less popular sailing times — mid-week, early morning, or late evening — or consider using less busy ferry routes.
Passengers travelling between the island and the mainland can opt for the less-trafficked Tsawwassen (Delta) to Duke Point (Nanaimo), instead of the typical Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, or Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
And as always, the company advises booking a reservation at bcferries.com.
Prepare for hot weather:
Weather in Victoria this weekend is projected to reach the mid-to-high 20°C (according to an Environment Canada Weather Alert for July 27 to 31). The lower mainland is expected to reach higher temperatures — in the high twenties to low thirties. And just because the terminals are seaside, doesn’t mean they’re free from the heat.
“Bring plenty of water for you and your pets,” says BC Ferries. “Terminal holding compounds can reach high temperatures while waiting to board a ferry. Hats and sunscreen are always a good idea.
“BC Ferries makes every effort to get traffic inside the holding compounds, however during peak periods, customers may have to wait outside the terminal where access to amenities is extremely limited. Please plan ahead.”
