Directions to Quadra Island
Welcome to Quadra Island! A little paradise located between Vancouver Island and the mainland, across from Campbell River in British Columbia. Quadra Island is the starting location for our Desolation Sound Expedition. Alternatively, you can meet us on Cortes Island (a 45-minute ferry ride from Quadra Island) at the Squirrel Cove Store & boat launch, where we will launch our kayaks. Please get in touch with our office to discuss your travel plans.
Quadra Island is home to a vibrant little community, full of artisans, stunning scenery and is a great location for all types of outdoor adventures including biking, hiking, walking, golfing and of course all kind of water sports. Two grocery and liquor stores, a pharmacy and many other locally run stores are available in case you need something last minute. Parking is secure for your vehicle and free of charge on Quadra Island.
If you are looking for accommodation on Quadra Island please click here.
Travel Details to Quadra Island
+ FROM VANCOUVER
BY CAR
The drive from Vancouver is a lovely way to experience Vancouver Island and area.
If you are travelling from the south end of Vancouver take the Tsawwassen–Duke Point route (closest to Vancouver airport). If you are coming through or downtown Vancouver take the Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay route. The ferry crossing takes approximately 2 hrs. See BC Ferries for rates and schedules.
Once you get to Nanaimo take highway 19 North. It will be marked for Parksville, Campbell River & Port Hardy. Follow highway 19 all the way north to Campbell River to the BC Ferries terminal. You can drive your car on this ferry that leaves every 30 minutes.
*If you are travelling by car, please note that the ferries can get quite congested during the summer months, so we advise you to get an early start or make a reservation for the major routes (no reservations possible for the Quadra Island route, but the ferry runs frequently so waits don’t tend to be long).
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
BY AIR
There is no airport on Quadra Island. Fly to Campbell River with Pacific Coastal Airlines or Central Mountain Air then take a 15-minute ground transfer to the Quadra Island ferry and then it is a 10-minute ferry crossing with BC Ferries to Quadra Island.
Alternatively, you can fly into Comox (YQQ) with WestJet, Air Canada or Pacific Coastal Airlines and take a 45-minute shuttle to the Campbell River Ferry with Ambassador Shuttle.
*Please note that Pacific Coast Airlines and the Central Mountain Air fly from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR).
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
BY public transit
For directions on how to get to Quadra Island from Vancouver, click the “read more” button below.
Read MoreFrom the airport, take the Canada Line skytrain from the airport towards Waterfront Station. Exit the train at Vancouver City Center Station (approx 22 minutes).
Go to the bus stop on West Georgia St at Granville St (in front of the Hudson’s Bay store) to catch Translink Bus #257 Express to Horseshoe Bay. Travel time approx 40 minutes. Exit the bus at the Horseshoe Bay terminus.
Plan to arrive in Horseshoe Bay at least 20-30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. You can buy your walk-on ferry ticket for the Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) boat when you arrive or you can book ahead online here. Please note that even when booking ahead, you must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the ferry’s departure. Sailing time approx 1hr 35 min.
Once you dock in Nanaimo, go to IslandLink Bus Services (located directly outside the terminal entrance in the bus lane) to travel to Campbell River. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online.
When booking, select your final stop as “Bus Stop at CRCC, 401 11th Ave @ Cedar”. This will be the closest stop to the Quadra Island ferry terminal (approximately a 5 minute walk).
The ferry to Quadra Island runs approximately every hour and the ride itself is 10 minutes in length. You can join this ferry as a walk on at the terminal. Please note that this ferry cannot be booked in advance.
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
+ FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND
BY CAR
The drive to Campbell River (where you catch the ferry to Quadra Island) will vary depending on which area of Vancouver Island you are coming from. Most often, guests travel North along Highway 19. If you want to take the waterfront scenic route (Highway 19A) anticipate a slightly longer drive. We recommend checking Google Maps for an accurate travel time. Head north and stay on the highway until you reach Campbell River. The Quadra Island ferry terminal is located on Highway 19A in downtown Campbell River.
*Please note that the Quadra Island Ferry tends to be very busy during the summer and its important to arrive early for your sailing. We recommend leaving some wiggle room in your timeline to ensure you are able to make your tour start time.
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
BY AIR
There is no airport on Quadra Island. There is however an airport in Campbell River which is just a short 15-minute ground transfer to the Quadra Island Ferry and then a 10-minute ferry crossing with BC Ferries.
There are very few direct flights from other airports on Vancouver Island to Campbell River (YBL) but you can fly with Pacific Coastal Airlines to Campbell River from many different Vancouver Island based Airports with a stop over in Vancouver (YVR).
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
BY public transit
For directions on how to get to Quadra Island from Vancouver Island, click the “read more” button below.
Read MoreWe recommend riding with IslandLink Bus Services to travel to Campbell River. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online.
When booking, select your final stop as “Bus Stop at CRCC, 401 11th Ave @ Cedar”. This will be the closest stop to the Quadra Island ferry terminal (approximately a 5 minute walk).
The ferry to Quadra Island runs approximately every 30 minutes and the ride itself is 10 minutes in length. You can join this ferry as a walk on at the terminal. Please note that this ferry cannot be booked in advance.
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
+ FROM SEATTLE
BY CAR
Driving times to Quadra Island will be dependent on border waits and ferry connections/waiting times, but plan for a minimum of 8 hours of travel.
To start, take Interstate 5 North out of Seattle and continue onto Delta, Canada. Take exit 26 from BC-99 N and cross the border. Once crossed, continue on BC 99N. Once again take exit 26 but this time for BC-17 W toward Tsawwassen/Port. Follow BC-17 to Duke Point, BC – Tsawwassen, BC where you can catch the ferry to Duke Point Nanaimo. We strongly urge all guests to make reservations for this sailing with BC Ferries.
Once off the ferry, you will get on BC-19 N and take the Trans Canada Highway/BC-1 N ramp to BC-19/Nanaimo/Campbell River. Turn right onto Island Hwy/BC-19A S (signs for British Columbia 19 Alternate S/Downtown/Quadra Island) and you will eventually reach the ferry terminal.
The Quadra Island Ferry is located on the water in downtown Campbell River along Highway 19-A. The ferry runs every 30 minutes and you can drive your car on board. You can not make reservations on this ferry.
*Please note that the Quadra Island Ferry tends to be very busy during the summer and its important to arrive early for your sailing. We recommend leaving some wiggle room in your timeline to ensure you are able to make your tour start time.
CARPOOLING
For guests looking to carpool with others on their tour, we provide a carpooling sign-up platform that can be used by guests to arrange shared rides amongst themselves. Upon registering for your tour you will gain access to the carpooling platform.
*Carpool availability depends on other guests signing up to be drivers. Therefore, carpool options may not be available for your tour dates. Please keep this in mind when making travel plans.
BY AIR
There are no direct flights from Seattle to Campbell River.
You can fly Seattle to Vancouver (YVR) with many major airlines and from there take a flight with Pacific Coastal Airlines to Campbell River which is the closest airport to Quadra Island. From Campbell River airport it is a short 15-minute ground transfer to the Quadra Island Ferry and then a 10 minute ferry crossing with BC Ferries.
*Please note that Pacific Coast Airlines flies from the South Terminal at Vancouver Airport (YVR)
Kenmore Air offers floatplane flights from Seattle to several locations including Campbell River & Quadra Island.
Northwest Seaplanes offers floatplane flights from Renton, Washington near Seattle including Campbell River & Quadra Island.
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
BY public transit
For directions on how to get to Quadra Island from Seattle, click the “read more” button below.
Read MoreFrom King Street Station, you can take the Amtrak Cascades train to Pacific Central Station (4hrs) or the Flix Bus from “6th Ave S & S Lane St” to Pacific Central Station (4.5hrs).
From Pacific Central Station, walk 3 minutes to the Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station. Ride the Expo Line towards Waterfront station for 2 stops (3 mins) to Granville Station.
Go to the Westbound West Georgia St at Seymour St bus stop to catch Translink Bus #257 Express to Horseshoe Bay. Travel time approx. 40 minutes. Exit the bus at the Horseshoe Bay terminus.
Plan to arrive in Horseshoe Bay at least 20-30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. You can buy your walk-on ferry ticket for the Nanaimo (Vancouver Island) boat when you arrive or you can book ahead online here. Please note that even when booking ahead, you must arrive 20-30 minutes prior to the ferry’s departure. Sailing time approx. 2 hours
Once you dock in Nanaimo, go to IslandLink Bus Services (located directly outside the terminal entrance in the bus lane) to travel to Campbell River. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on the day before travel online. When booking, select your final stop as “Bus Stop at CRCC, 401 11th Ave @ Cedar”. This will be the closest stop to the Quadra Island ferry terminal (approximately 5 minute walk).
The ferry to Quadra Island runs approximately every 30 minutes and the ride itself is 10 minutes in length. You can join this ferry as a walk on at the terminal. Please note that this ferry cannot be booked in advance.
On Quadra Island, our taxi provider is “Al’s your Pal”. He can be reached at 250-204-0709. Please be in touch with him in advance to confirm he is available.
Depending on where you are staying in Campbell River or Quadra Island the night before your tour, you may either be able to walk or get Al to drop you off at our base (1313 Cramer Road) for our meeting time. From here you will ride with our guides to the starting point of your kayaking tour!
