travel
Welcome to Hornby Island
Ready to Breathe in the Fresh Island Air? Here's How to Get Here
travelling by car
Your journey begins with a ferry ride from Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island. Buckley Bay is conveniently located about an hour north of Nanaimo and 30 minutes south of Comox and Courtenay.
From Buckley Bay, you'll take a short ferry ride to Denman Island. Follow the main road across Denman and hop on another ferry to reach beautiful Hornby Island.
Allow yourself ample time to reach each ferry terminal and consider purchasing a BC Ferries Experience Card for savings. Always check the ferry schedule to ensure you catch the right departure.
travelling by bus
For those arriving from Vancouver or Victoria, express buses run directly to Buckley Bay, where you can connect to the ferry. Island Link and Vancouver Island Connector offer yearround reservations, while Comox Valley Transit's Route 10 provides a reliable option for Comox Valley residents.
Getting from the Buckley-Denman ferry terminal to the Denman-Hornby one is simple. Pre-arrange a ride, or don't hesitate to ask a friendly fellow traveler on the ferry for a lift. Our island community is known for its hospitality!
In the summer, a convenient cross-Denman bus operates, making island hopping even smoother. Check out Denman Island Bus for more details. Additionally, the Hornby Summer Bus operates daily throughout the summer season.
travelling by plane
For those arriving from afar, fly above the Salish Sea and land at the nearby Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). This convenient airport welcomes several airlines with direct flights, including WestJet, Air Canada, and Pacific Coastal Airlines.
Upon landing you have several options to reach Buckley Bay, the ferry terminal for Hornby Island. Rent a car for ultimate flexibility and freedom to explore the island at your own pace. Alternatively, take advantage of Comox Transit, a convenient and affordable public transportation option.
Looking for a quicker and more direct route? Hop in a taxi or shuttle ride to the Super 8 Hotel or Driftwood Mall in Courtenay. These locations serve as pick-up points for Island Link bus service, offering one to three daily departures to Buckley Bay.
Prefer a scenic route with a touch of island charm? Take a short taxi ride to Comox Harbour. Here, you can arrange a water taxi directly to Hornby Island, arriving in about 30 minutes and enjoying breathtaking views along the way.
travelling by floatplane
Consider soaring to Hornby Island by floatplane. Gulf Island Seaplanes offers a unique and scenic journey with their direct scheduled dock-to-dock service, whisking you from Downtown Vancouver straight to Shingle Spit.
Looking for a more customized experience? Several other companies offer private charter flights to Hornby Island, allowing you to tailor your arrival to your specific needs and preferences. Feel free to contact these companies directly for quotes.
If you prefer a combination of fixed-wing flight and water travel, consider flying with Harbour Air into Comox Harbour. From there, you can easily arrange a water taxi to complete your journey to Hornby Island in about 30 minutes.