Getting to Hornby Island

Most visitors reach Hornby Island by taking two short ferry crossings from Vancouver Island.

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Step 1:

Vancouver Island to Denman Island

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Drive to Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal (about 20 minutes south of the Comox Valley). From there, take the BC Ferries route to Denman Island (Denman West). The crossing takes approximately 10 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day.

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Step 2:

Denman Island to Hornby Island

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Once on Denman Island, drive across the island for about 10 minutes to the Denman East Ferry Terminal. From there, board the Hornby Island ferry, which takes about 10 minutes to reach Hornby Island. When you arrive, Hornby Island Resort is located just moments from the ferry dock, making it one of the most convenient locations on the island.

Hornby Island is also easily accessible by private boat, offering a scenic and flexible way to arrive. Hornby Island Resort provides convenient dock access, allowing boaters to come ashore directly at the property.

 

The surrounding waters of the Salish Sea make the journey just as memorable as the destination, with beautiful cruising routes, sheltered passages, and frequent sightings of marine wildlife along the way.

 

From calm morning crossings to sunset arrivals, traveling by boat offers a uniquely coastal way to experience Hornby Island.

For the fastest and most scenic way to reach Hornby Island, visitors can travel by float plane. Flights are available from several locations including:

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• Vancouver Harbour

• Richmond (YVR South Terminal)

• Victoria Inner Harbour

• Nanaimo Harbour

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​Float planes can dock directly at Hornby Island Resort’s private dock, allowing guests and owners to arrive right at the resort with no additional transportation required.​

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Flying time from Vancouver is typically 30–40 minutes, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island coastline, and the Salish Sea.​ Float plane travel is an especially popular option for weekend getaways or quick trips to the island.