Travellers looking to capture B.C.'s final weeks of decent camping weather may consider taking a ferry to Vancouver Island.
But what happens if you don't have a car?
Scores of outdoor enthusiasts pack their vehicles for day trips, weekends, and significantly longer stints on the province's largest island, providing ample space for everything from tents to cooking equipment, water sports accessories to mountaineering gear, clothing to food, and everything in between.
Folks planning to walk onto a ferry don't have the luxury of packing a car but may still plan to have more belongings with them than they typically would. However, fitting some camping essentials into a suitcase or duffle bag might not work. Further, people may wish to bring significantly more items than they would if they enjoyed a few nights at a hotel with amenities.
Travellers headed to Vancouver Island can sail with BC Ferries or Hullo Ferries. Each has particular rules about baggage allowances, although both prohibit certain dangerous goods.
BC Ferries baggage allowances
BC Ferries spokesperson Liza Yuzda told V.I.A. passengers who walk on vessels can bring hand-pulled wagons. This means travellers who don't have a car for extra gear - but can't fit it in a suitcase - can wheel additional supplies.
"As each route/port/vessel varies, we always recommend asking a crew member for details on where to walk on with one’s luggage," she noted.
BC Ferries also allows foot passengers with bikes to stow them on the vehicle deck; bikes load before vehicles. These passengers must arrive between 30 and 60 minutes before the scheduled departure and follow the designated bike route or crew directions.
Foot passengers may not remain with bikes on the vehicle deck and must take all belongings. No extra fee is required to bring a bike.
BC Ferries also offers complimentary luggage services on the following routes.
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay)
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
- Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
- Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Sunshine Coast (Langdale)
- North Coast routes
- Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands
Guests using this service must ensure they meet the requirements.
Luggage under 35 pounds does not need a tag and luggage between 35 and 50 pounds requires a yellow one. Any baggage exceeding 50 pounds isn't accepted and must be carried on board.
- It exceeds the 23 kg (50 lb) limit;
- It contains items that are fragile and may become damaged; or
- It may cause damage to other baggage around it (contain items that are sharp or may leak)
BC Ferries: Common dangerous goods
Travellers cannot bring certain dangerous goods on BC Ferries, even if they stow them on the vehicle deck.
Coleman's fuel, naphtha and white gas products can fill camp stoves and lanterns are permitted in five-litre metal containers in vehicles. However, foot passengers are prohibited from carrying them.
Foot passengers who are camping must hand over camping fuel to the loading officer.
Most foot passengers may not carry firearms, except on select sailings between Port Hardy (Bear Cove) and Prince Rupert, and between Prince Rupert and Graham Island (Skidegate) on Haida Gwaii. On these routes, foot passengers with firearms must:
- Check with the departure terminal for confirmation.
- Be responsible for securing the firearms in a locker designated by the ship's officer.
BC Ferries notes that "airsoft guns, pellet guns, crossbows, bow and arrows, axes and similar items of concern are subject to restrictions."
Passengers should check BC Ferries' list of common dangerous goods if unsure about an item.
Hullo baggage allowances
Each Hullo guest may bring one carry-on-sized bag and personal item aboard at no additional cost. Guests can also purchase extra baggage for larger bags and sports gear.
Guests can purchase space for up to three large bags ($25 per bag). They may also bring golf clubs, skis, snowboards (in a bag), and a surfboard (up to 12 feet) for $30.
Bikes are not currently permitted on Hullo vessels.
Cats and small dogs no more than 22 pounds are welcome on board at no additional cost. Pets must be in a contained pet carrier and on your lap for the entire trip.
Hullo does not permit the following goods with its walk-on passengers.
- Air bottles, scuba tanks and enriched air
- Airsoft guns, pellet guns, crossbows, bow and arrows, axes and similar dangerous sporting goods
- Batteries: Lithium batteries which are not otherwise excepted below
- Camp stove/lantern fuel (incl. naphtha, white gas)
- Cleansers like bleach and other household cleansers, unless securely contained to keep them upright to avoid spillage and harmful fumes.
- E-bikes, electric scooters
- Fuel- Gasoline/Propane/ Diesel/Boat/RV gas.
- Firearms and Ammunition
- Fire extinguishers
- Fireworks
- Hay
- Helium/Methanol (gases)
- Marine pollutants
- Paint and related paint products (including lacquer, enamel, stain, shellac, varnish, polish, liquid filler and liquid lacquer base, paint thinners or reducing compounds are allowed for personal use, and if purchased at a public retail outlet). Latex or water-based paint is not subject to the prohibition.
- Power tools, chainsaws
Exceptions to Hullo's dangerous goods list include aerosols no larger than 750 ml and batteries for a personal laptop, camera, mobile phone, video camera, watch, and small personal medical equipment.
Oxygen for personal use (in cylinders up to 5 litre water capacity) is also permitted. Guests must notify the terminal staff if they are carrying personal medical oxygen.
Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.
Want to learn more about a specific destination or have a travel concern or idea you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at [email protected]. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about.
