Thinking about travelling between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen over the long weekend? Patrons heading from the mainland to the island on Saturday can expect a one sailing wait while those on the Swartz Bay side have leeway.
By noon on Sept. 5, the 1 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay was 100 per cent full and BC Ferries was predicting a one sailing wait for the drivers of both standard and oversized vehicles. By that time, the 2 p.m. sailing was 70 per cent full, the 3 p.m. was 65 per cent full, the 5 p.m. was at 60 per cent capacity and the 6 p.m. was nearing 50 per cent capacity.
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On the Swartz Bay side, drivers heading to Tsawwassen weren’t facing a wait as of 12 p.m. The noon sailing departed at 80 per cent capacity and the 1 p.m. was just over 50 per cent capacity by that time. The 3 p.m. sailing was just under 50 per cent, the 4 p.m. was at 35 per cent and the 5 p.m. was at nearly 50 per cent capacity.
In a written statement on Aug 31, BC Ferries reminded customers to plan ahead as long weekend sailings are notoriously busy. The ferry corporation recommended that drive-on and foot passengers arrive at least an hour before their desired sailings. Patrons should also expect COVID-19 screenings and should be prepared to wear a mask as face coverings are required at all times at terminals and on board ferries – except while eating or sitting inside vehicles.
Passengers are advised to check the current conditions for their route before heading out or check the @BCFerries Twitter page for updates.
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