BC Ferries, Marine Atlantic, Bay Ferries, Northumberland Ferries, and more. Everything RV travellers need to know about booking, sizing, costs, and what to expect onboard Canada's ferry routes.
Vancouver Island is BC's premier RV destination — and reaching it means crossing on BC Ferries, the largest ferry system in North America. Three key routes serve RV travellers, with reservations strongly recommended in summer. Northern Stay members have access to campgrounds across Vancouver Island through the network.
The busiest route — serves Victoria and the south island. Year-round, frequent sailings. Book vehicle reservations at bcferries.com — essential in July and August.
The preferred route for large RVs and commercial trucks heading to Nanaimo and central/north island. More freight-oriented dock layout — ideal for oversize vehicles.
Ideal for RVers approaching from North Shore or Whistler corridor. Connects to Nanaimo and the central island. Also serves Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast routes.
Canada's ferry network connects islands, peninsulas, and provinces that would otherwise require enormous road detours. Here are the key routes RV campers need to know.
The primary Newfoundland ferry route — operating year-round. A 6-7 hour crossing on the Cabot Strait. The most practical option for travellers arriving from the Maritimes or coming from the US/Ontario through Nova Scotia. Year-round operation makes this the reliable choice for fall and spring Newfoundland visits.
The overnight ferry to the Avalon Peninsula — arriving near St. John's. 14-17 hours with cabin accommodations available. The most popular choice for travellers wanting to start their Newfoundland trip from the east. Book in January for July-August. Cabins and meals are available onboard. Runs June through September only.
BC's busiest ferry route — the main connection between Metro Vancouver and Victoria. 95-minute crossing. For RV travellers heading to Vancouver Island for Tofino, Pacific Rim, and the north island. Essential to reserve in advance for summer sailings; BC Ferries' reservations system opens 2 months ahead. Departs from Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, or Horseshoe Bay (alternate route via Nanaimo).
An alternative to the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route, connecting West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo — useful for travellers heading to central and northern Vancouver Island. 95-minute crossing. Also connects to Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale). Popular with RVers heading to Campbell River and the north island.
The scenic alternative to the Confederation Bridge for getting an RV to PEI. 75-minute crossing from Caribou (near Pictou, NS) to Wood Islands on PEI's south shore. Running May through December. The bridge is free to enter PEI (toll applies leaving via bridge), while the ferry charges a fare each direction — choose based on your route and preference.
International passenger and vehicle ferry connecting Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor, Maine. Seasonal service (May–October). An excellent option for US RVers heading to Nova Scotia or Canadians looking to shortcut the New England drive. 3.5-hour crossing. Vehicle reservations required and strongly recommended for summer sailings.
Ferry schedules, fares, sailing times, and RV reservation policies change seasonally. Confirm current details directly with the ferry operator and book early — RV spots fill quickly on peak sailings.
The 12.9 km Confederation Bridge is the primary year-round link between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island — and for most RV travellers, the fastest and most practical way to reach PEI. Here's everything you need to know before you roll on.
All Canadian ferry operators categorize vehicles by length — so knowing your exact overall length is essential. For a motorhome, this is the total length of the vehicle. For a trailer combination, this is the combined length of the tow vehicle plus trailer with any hitch tongue included.
BC Ferries designates vehicles over 2.0 metres in height as "overheight" — this includes most large motorhomes, truck campers, and some SUVs with roof tents. Overheight vehicles must be declared when booking online or at the terminal. They are typically loaded on the lower (Main Deck) which has more vertical clearance, and may be boarded earlier or later than standard vehicles. Reservations for overheight vehicles are strongly recommended on peak sailings.
On all Canadian ferries, passengers must leave their vehicles once the ship departs — you cannot remain in your RV during the crossing. Access to the vehicle deck is restricted to safety emergencies only. All valuables, medications, pet carriers, and anything you need during the crossing should be removed from the vehicle before you leave the car deck. Pets may need to remain in vehicles on some shorter routes or in designated pet areas on longer crossings — check each ferry operator's pet policy when booking.
For the Port aux Basques crossing (6-7 hours) and especially the Argentia crossing (14-17 hours), Marine Atlantic offers cabin accommodations ranging from reclining chairs to 4-berth cabins to accessible cabins. Book cabins simultaneously with your vehicle reservation — they fill quickly for summer sailings. The ships also have cafeteria dining, a lounge, and gift shops. The Argentia crossing is effectively an overnight sailing, departing North Sydney in the afternoon and arriving in Newfoundland the following morning.
Factor ferry crossing times into your daily driving calculations. A BC Ferries crossing adds 2+ hours (including loading, crossing, and unloading time) to any Vancouver Island trip. A Marine Atlantic crossing adds half a day or a full day to your Newfoundland arrival. Build buffer time — weather delays, mechanical issues, and high-demand sailings can push departure times back. Do not book ferry crossings back-to-back with fixed commitments on either end without padding.
Northern Stay's network spans from BC's island shores to Newfoundland's fjords. Guaranteed campsite availability — so your ferry arrival is the beginning of the adventure, not a scramble for a site.
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