Quadra Island (Heriot Bay) ↔ Cortes Island (Whaletown)

Arrive well before the cutoff when a full deck would spoil your plans. Vehicles load in order of arrival. Heriot Bay closes ticket sales and check-in three minutes before departure; Whaletown closes check-in five minutes before. Those are hard cutoffs, not useful targets for joining a busy vehicle queue.

Yes. Route 24 is a return fare, and BC Ferries says no proof of payment is required on the return leg. At the terminals you can pay with cash, debit, major credit cards or an Experience Card. Use the current fare guide and its effective date rather than an old island price.

Heriot Bay lists limited free roadside parking nearby. Whaletown lists only ten parking spaces. Neither is a dependable large lot, so follow posted signs, keep ferry approaches clear and arrange a drop-off or backup before travel if leaving a vehicle is central to the plan.

Yes. Bicycles travel free with the passenger fare. Identify the bike at check-in, walk it aboard when directed and secure it on the vehicle deck. Bring lights, water and repair supplies; the island roads and the ride between Quadra's two ferry terminals are the larger part of the trip.

No. BC Ferries lists this route as non-bookable, and vehicles load first-come. Current Conditions can show current traffic and estimated deck space, but neither holds a place. On busy summer sailings, arrive early and keep the following ferry workable.

The Campbell River ferry lands at Quathiaski Cove, while the Cortes ferry leaves from Heriot Bay on the other side of Quadra. BC Ferries describes Heriot Bay as about a ten-minute drive east. You must leave the first ferry, cross the island and join a new first-come queue, so allow much more than the drive time.

It takes advance planning. BC Ferries lists no public transportation at Heriot Bay or Whaletown, and the two Quadra ferry terminals are separate. Arrange a shuttle, taxi, host pickup or bicycle before leaving Campbell River, and confirm the Cortes-side ride rather than hoping one meets the ferry.

Heriot Bay has an accessible portable toilet, waiting room, Wi-Fi and a restaurant nearby. Whaletown has an accessible washroom, waiting room, Wi-Fi and a bike rack. Contact BC Ferries before travel if you need a specific boarding arrangement, and identify the need before the short check-in window closes.