Lighthouse Country is an hour’s drive north of Nanaimo on Highway 19, and 2 1/2 hours north of Victoria. The Horne Lake exit will bring you into the south end of Lighthouse Country and the Cook Creek exits at the north end.
If you prefer a slower paced route, follow the scenic Oceanside Route, Highway 19A from Parksville, through Qualicum Beach to Lighthouse Country.
BC Ferries Information
BC Ferries serves up to 48 ports of call on 25 routes throughout coastal British Columbia.
The crossings between Vancouver Island and B.C.’s Lower Mainland can last from less than 90 minutes to two hours, depending on which run you take
Vancouver to Nanaimo (Tsawwassen to Duke Point)
Vehicles and foot passengers
Crossing time: 2 hours
8 round trips daily
Reservations are available on this route.
Vancouver to Nanaimo (Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay)
Vehicles and foot passengers
Sailings every 2 hours
Crossing time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Extra sailings during the summer and holidays
Route and fare information
Toll-free: 1 888 223-377
Tel: (250) 386-3431
Website: http://www.bcferries.ca
Reservations are recommended, on Mainland – Vancouver Island routes.
Toll-free: 1 888 724-5223 Tel: (604) 444-2890
Ferry service between Washington State and Vancouver Island
The MV Coho ferry carries vehicles and passengers between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC.
Tel: (360) 457-4491
Website: http://www.northolympic.com/coho
Washington State Ferries operates service for vehicles and passengers between Anacortes WA and Sidney (Victoria) BC.
Toll-free: 1 888 808-7977
Tel: (206) 464-6400
Web: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Motorcoach
Island Coach Lines (Laidlaw) serves Victoria to Port Hardy.
Toll-free: 1 800 318-0818
Tel: (250) 385-4411
Website: http://www.victoriatours.com
Greyhound Bus Lines offers serice between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo
Toll-free: 1 800 661-8747
Tel: (604) 482-8747
Website: http://www.greyhound.ca
Air Service
Air Canada offers service to Nanaimo and Comox Airports
Toll-free: 1 888 247-2262
Tel: (604) 688-5515
Website: http://www.aircanada.ca
WestJet offers service to Comox, British Columbia
Toll-free: 1-888-937-8538
Website: http://www.westjet.com
