Ferry to Denman Island

Denman Island is located off of mid-Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Courtenay.

The Buckley Bay ferry terminal is where you connect to Denman Island, about one-hour north of Nanaimo and about one hour south of Campbell River.

The Baynes Sound Connector is the first cable ferry to be introduced to the BC Ferries’ fleet and the longest salt-water cable ferry in the world.

The 10-minute ferry ride is scheduled once per hour, but when it’s busy the ferry may shuttle off of schedule to get people over sooner.

Check the current BC Ferries schedule

Getting around Denman Island

• Car or bicycle are the best ways to explore Denman Island’s 51 square kilometres.
• If you’re on foot, there are three studios just up the hill from the Denman West ferry terminal: Lilac Sun, Gilded Petunia, and Ember Blair Hutchens
• The Denman Craft Shop is also within walking distance of the ferry and some of the potters (like Tom Dennis) sell their wares at this location

Please be mindful of speed limits, watch for pedestrians, cyclists and children, and patient with tractors and slower drivers.

Don’t rely on Google Maps or your car’s GPS!

Denman Island Bus

Denman Island has a FREE bus service! Check out the Scuttle Bus schedule and route information here.

Restrooms

You will find public restrooms at the Denman West ferry terminal (connecting to Buckley Bay) and the Denman East ferry terminal (connecting to Hornby Island – this will be difficult to access).

There are also outhouses at Filongley Park campground and at Bill Mee Park boat launch.

Washrooms are labeled on the map with the initials WC.

Food

Accommodations