Travellers heading to and from Vancouver Island this Easter long weekend are being urged to plan ahead, as BC Ferries deals with significant service disruptions on two key routes.
At a press conference on Thursday, April 2nd, CEO Nicolas Jimenez confirmed that two major vessels — the Spirit of Vancouver Island and the Queen of Surrey — are currently out of service during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The Spirit of Vancouver Island, which services the busy Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Swartz Bay ferry terminal route, is dealing with a generator issue.
Meanwhile, the Queen of Surrey, which operates between Horseshoe Bay and the Sunshine Coast, has been delayed returning from its annual refit.
“A number of sailings have been cancelled this week, and it is not lost on us that this affects people’s travel plans,” Jimenez said.
He added that engineering teams are working around the clock and said he is “cautiously optimistic” the Spirit of Vancouver Island could return to service in time to support travel during the long weekend.
“We will know more about this [Friday] morning,” he said.
Water safety concerns addressed
Jimenez also addressed recent concerns surrounding potable water onboard several vessels after coliform and E. coli were detected in March.
“In all cases, we acted immediately, restricting use, notifying customers, and working closely with public health,” he said.
According to BC Ferries, none of the initial test results — including those involving E. coli, total coliform, or lead — were found to exceed acceptable levels.
The organization noted that its water systems follow industry best practices and are sourced from the same supplies used in residential communities.
Travellers urged to avoid standby
With the long weekend expected to bring a surge of travellers, BC Ferries is warning passengers without reservations to expect extremely limited standby availability.
“If you’re traveling over Easter and you don’t have a reservation, you should still expect extremely limited standby availability on the affected routes throughout the entire weekend,” Jimenez said.
He added that long waits are likely and encouraged travellers to consider walking on, using public transit, or arranging drop-offs, as terminal parking lots are expected to fill quickly.
Aging fleet part of the challenge
Jimenez acknowledged the situation highlights broader challenges facing the ferry system, including an aging fleet and limited vessel availability.
“We can’t point to one single solution,” he said, noting that major investments are underway to improve reliability.
BC Ferries is currently advancing a fleet renewal program that includes four new Island Class vessels expected to arrive in the coming months, as well as four new major vessels slated to enter service between 2029 and 2031.
Despite questions from reporters about potential fare increases amid service disruptions, Jimenez maintained the system remains reliable overall but requires significant funding to operate and modernize.
He also noted the company is preparing for increased travel demand tied to upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup.
In response to the disruptions, Harbour Air has stepped in with a limited-time offer for travellers impacted by cancellations.
The airline is offering 50% off scheduled flights between Vancouver and both Victoria and Nanaimo for those with a valid BC Ferries reservation.
Travellers can book using the promo code EASTER2026 between April 2nd and April 3rd for travel from April 3rd to April 6th.
Proof of a BC Ferries reservation is required at check-in.
