Trip 326 - May 6, 2025 (Tuesday)

Vancouver BC to Texada Island BC Trip

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Texada Island Location: Off BC Sunshine Coast, across from Powell River.

Liked: Three ferry rides, driving on Sunshine Coast Highway (BC Highway 101).

Of Note: Sunshine Coast Highway is mostly one lane in each direction, with few passing opportunities. Ferries can get very busy, especially during Summer weekends - sailing waits are possible.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2019 edition) Trip Coordinates : Maps 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 and 20.

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Texada Island is a very large island located between Sunshine Coast of BC and Vancouver Island. It is home to just over 1,200 people and a whole lot of deer, as there are no natural predators on Texada Island. A ferry from Powell River (Westview Ferry Terminal) takes 40 minutes to reach the Northern tip of Texada Island (Blubber Bay Ferry Terminal). Two more ferries (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale and Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay) are required to reach Powell River from Greater Vancouver. One can also get to Powell River via a ferry from Comox on Vancouver Island.

Our trip report shows how we got to Texada Island (Gillies Bay general store) from downtown Vancouver BC by taking those three ferries, as well as driving on TransCanada Highway 1 and Sunshine Coast Highway (BC Highway 101).

1. Here are Google Maps directions from downtown Vancouver to Gillies Bay general store on Texada Island.

2. We are westbound on Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.

Georgia Street - Vancouver, BC Canada

3. Crossing Lions Gate bridge.

Lions Gate Bridge

4. Approaching Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal ticket booths.

Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal Ticket Booths

5. Boarding BC Ferry "Queen of Surrey" en route to Langdale.

Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal

Here is our video of driving from downtown Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay and boarding a ferry.

6. A fragment of a map by Earl's Cove ferry terminal, which we would reach later in the day, shows this stretch of our journey.

Horseshoe Bay to Langdale ferry route map

7. We have now reached Langdale and are starting to drive on BC Highway 101 (Sunshine Coast Highway) towards Earl's Cove Ferry Terminal (via Gibsons and Sechelt).

Highway 101 - BC Sunshine Coast

8. Driving through Sechelt, BC.

Sechelt, BC

Here is our video of disembarking at Langdale Terminal and driving to Sechelt via Hwy 101.

9. Driving by Egmont Road (the way to Skookumchuck Narrows). Approaching Earl's Cove.

BC Highway 101 at Egmont Road

10. Entering Earl's Cove Ferry Terminal.

BC Highway 101 at Earl's Cove Ferry Terminal

11. Here it is. There is no ticket needed to board a ferry here. The payment is required on the way back, if you would take a ferry from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove.

Earl's Cove Ferry Terminal Parking

Here is our video of driving from Sechelt to Earl's Cove ferry terminal.

12. Earl's Cove Ferry Terminal.

BC Ferries Earl's Cove Terminal

13-14. Here is that map we have mentioned earlier, to the right of the vehicle waiting area.

Sunshine Coast Map

15-16. And here is the upcoming ferry crossing from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay. Texada Island can be seen across Malaspina Strait from Sunshine Coast, where we are currently located. A ferry connection from Powell River to Texada's Island northern tip can also be seen.

Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay ferry route map

17-18. BC Ferry Malaspina Sky runs the route from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay and back. Here it is approaching Earl's Cove ferry terminal. Plain and zoomed views.