Tag Archives: Whaletown Terminal

Island Nagalis Takes Over This Friday

The ‘Island Nagalis’ is expected to begin service on the Quadra Island–Cortes Island route on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Kit Billings, a Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, emailed, “Based on the current transition plan, the Tachek is expected to complete its final sailing on Route 24 late morning from Whaletown, and the Island Nagalis is anticipated to enter service later that afternoon. BC Ferries is working to ensure a seamless transition with no anticipated disruptions to service; however, timing remains subject to operational requirements.”

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Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming

Construction on the BC Ferries Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals will soon be coming to an end, and we will probably have a brand-new-to-us hybrid electric ferry this summer.

Sheila Reynolds, Senior Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, explained: “Construction at the terminals actually began last spring to replace both berths at Heriot Bay and Whaletown, which were both nearing the end of their service lives and needed replacing.”

Continue reading Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming

BC Ferries: Shutdown of Cortes Ferry reduced to 3 weeks; Hydro Electric Ferry coming sooner

Work on the Heriot Bay and Whaletown ferry terminals is proceeding faster than expected, and the much-anticipated shutdown of service on the Cortes to Quadra run has been shortened to three weeks. Cortes Island’s new hydroelectric ferry could arrive as early as late spring or summer of 2026. The Cortes and Campbell River ferries could both be fully electric earlier than previously expected. The key word for both of those last items is ‘could’ because they are possibilities, not promises. In this morning’s interview, Sheila Reynolds from BC Ferries gave Cortes Currents an update on the scheduling for our area.

Continue reading BC Ferries: Shutdown of Cortes Ferry reduced to 3 weeks; Hydro Electric Ferry coming sooner

Area C Director’s Report: seeking ferry-related traffic solutions

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
Summer’s bustle has faded while the warm amber of the big leaf maples is brightening our shorter days. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful place which visitors want to experience and while visiting, support our island economy. Along with our golden memories of a lovely island summer, some folks may have recollections of seasonal ferry-related traffic concerns.

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Planned price increases; dismantling FAC’s – Changes Coming To BC Ferries 

As some of you may have already heard, BC Ferries is going through changes. They range from a total revamp of the way they have been engaging with the public, to  expenses that probably won’t effect fares until 2028.

Let’s start with finances. BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez recently informed the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce the cost to build ferries has risen 40% since 2020. Speaking as a customer, my immediate thought was this sounds like there is a fare hike coming. 

Jeff Groot, BC Ferries Executive Director in charge of communications, responded “I think that’s a fair reaction. There’s a couple of things that we’re experiencing right now.”  

Continue reading Planned price increases; dismantling FAC’s – Changes Coming To BC Ferries