Chemainus ↔ Penelakut Island

Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early on an ordinary day. At Chemainus, check-in closes five minutes before departure for vehicles and foot passengers. At Penelakut, it closes three minutes before departure for foot passengers and five minutes for vehicles.

BC Ferries marks Chemainus–Thetis–Penelakut as a return-fare route. Use the current calculator to check the total for your passengers and vehicle. The published terminal payment options include cash, debit, major credit cards and the Experience Card.

Chemainus lists 12 free spaces and Penelakut lists 10, both with a 48-hour limit. These are small lots, so allow time to change plans if every space is taken. Park only in the designated areas and arrange a drop-off when you need more certainty.

Yes. BC Ferries carries a bicycle free with the passenger fare, and a bike is useful because Penelakut lists no public transit. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes before sailing, identify yourself at check-in, walk the bike aboard and secure it where crew direct. Charge an e-bike ashore because onboard charging is not allowed.

Vehicles are ticketed and loaded in arrival order at both terminals. Check current conditions before leaving and arrive well before the cutoff when you need a particular sailing. The cutoff only tells you when check-in closes; it does not guarantee that the deck still has room.

It depends on the departure. Chemainus, Thetis and Penelakut share one service, but individual sailings can have different stop patterns. Check the stops and destination shown for your exact sailing before you leave.

Chemainus lists BC Transit and a local taxi, so the mainland terminal can work without a car. Penelakut lists no public transportation. Confirm an island pickup, bring a bicycle or make sure your destination is close enough to walk before you board.

The estimate includes booked customers and drive-up vehicles already processed at the booth. It does not include vehicles still outside the terminal waiting to buy a ticket. Use it as a current snapshot, but leave extra time because the unprocessed queue can still fill the remaining deck space.