Arrival information

By Air

If students are flying to Nanaimo it is a 15-minute connecting flight (Air Canada) from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Nanaimo-Collishaw Airport (YCD). Students can then take a taxi from the airport to get to the final destination. 

By Sea/land 

Option 1: Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) – Departure Bay (Nanaimo)

Students can get to Nanaimo by taking BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay. There are no direct buses to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal from the airport so students should

  • Take the SkyTrain from the airport to Vancouver City Center Station
  • After getting out of the station walk for about 100 meters to WB w Georgia St NS Granville St.
  • Catch the bus number 257 or 250 to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal
  • Catch the ferry to Departure Bay (Nanaimo), the ride takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes

Check BC Ferries for schedule and fare.

Option 2: Vancouver Airport (YVR) -  Tsawwassen (Vancouver) –  Duke Point (Nanaimo)

The other BC Ferries route is from Southern Vancouver, from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) to Duke Point in Nanaimo. This is also a very beautiful trip and takes about 2 hours.