HOW TO GET TO HORNBY ISLAND

Hornby Island is situated between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island approximately 80 miles north-west of Vancouver. Most visitors arrive by car using the BC Ferry system. It can also be reached by floatplane from the South Terminal at Vancouver International Airport or by a scheduled flight from Vancouver to Comox.

By Public Transport
Take the bus from Vancouver or Victoria to Buckley Bay (about 1 hour north of Nanaimo). Then walk on to the ferry to Denman Island. There is NO public transport on Denman Island so you need to ask someone on the ferry for a ride across Denman to the Hornby Island ferry. (This is a common activity and generally supported by most drivers).

By Car From Vancouver
Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. The schedule can be seen at this link . Upon reaching Vancouver Island you drive north on the new Island highway for about 50 minutes. Watch for the Hornby Island/Denman Island Ferry exit. The schedule for these two ferries can be seen here for the Denman Ferry and here for the Hornby Ferry.
The whole trip from Horseshoe Bay to Hornby Island can be done in about 5 hours. (Much longer on busy days.....up to 9 hours)

Take the ferry from Tsawassen to Duke Point (South of Nanaimo). The schedule is here . Upon arriving at Duke Point you should drive north on the new Island highway (toward Campbell River) for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Then You take the ferry to Denman and the next ferry on to Hornby Island. This trip would take about 5.5 hours

By Car From Victoria
Drive north on the Island Highway until you see the Hornby Island/Denman Island Ferry signs. It takes about 4 hours from downtown Victoria to Hornby Island.

By Floatplane
This is the fastest and most expensive way to get here. You can call Harbour Air Seaplanes to charter a plane from the South Terminal to Hornby Island. They can be reached Toll Free at 1-800-665-0212.

The rates start at $605 for up to 3 passengers and go to $1767 for a plane capable of carrying 18 passengers. This would take about 35 minutes from Vancouver to Hornby and is dependent on the weather. (2004 prices)

By Scheduled Flight To Comox
This way continues to be a popular alternative to the time consuming ferry rides. You would take a regular flight from Vancouver to Comox with Air Canada or Pacific Coastal. Before your flight you would make arrangements with the Water Taxi for a pick up at the Comox Marina.
The Water Taxi can be reached at 250-335-2996. You would get to the Comox Marina from the Comox Airport by local taxi. This trip would take about an hour and a half from Vancouver airport to the dock on Hornby Island.
There is now a direct flight from Calgary, Alberta to the new Comox Airport. Water taxi to Hornby for a total trip time (Calgary airport to Ford Cove on Hornby Island) of about two hours.