Find Your Way Here
Whether you want to drive, fly, boat, or bike, getting here is part of the experience. Make sure to take your time and enjoy the trip. And when you get here, don’t forget to set your clock to island time.
Traveling Via Car
To reach Hornby by car, you need to take a ferry from Vancouver Island’s Buckley Bay, which is an hour north of Nanaimo and 30 minutes south of Comox and Courtenay. From the Buckley Bay ferry terminal, take the ferry to Denman Island, drive across Denman by following the main road to the Hornby ferry terminal, and take another ferry to Hornby Island.
For a smooth visit, leave yourself plenty of time to reach each ferry terminal. Consider purchasing a BC Ferries Experience Card to save on fares, and check out the ferry schedule to ensure you don’t miss the last sailing of the day.
To view the location of the Hornby and Denman ferries, in real time: www.denmanisland.org
Traveling Via Bus
If you’re coming from Vancouver or Victoria, you can catch an express bus to Buckley Bay, where you can hop on the ferry. The Island Link and Tofino bus lines take reservations year-round while Comox Valley Transit’s Route 10 is a year-round option for those who live or land in the Comox Valley. To get from the Buckley-Denman ferry terminal to the Denman-Hornby one, you can pre-arrange a ride or ask someone on the ferry for a lift. We’re a friendly community, and it’s rare that someone is left stranded.
DURING THE SUMMER, there is a cross Denman bus, FMI. https://www.denmanislandbus.ca
The Hornby Summer Bus operates 7 days/week throughout the summer. FMI, www.HornbyBus.com
Traveling Via Plane
Visitors traveling from far away will find the fastest route to Hornby is to fly into the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ), only a 30-minute drive from Buckley Bay. Airlines with direct flights to the airport include:
- WestJet
- Air Canada (member of Star Alliance)
- Pacific Coastal Airlines
From the airport, you can get to Buckley Bay by renting a vehicle or taking Comox Transit. You can also take a quick taxi or shuttle ride to the Super 8 hotel or Driftwood Mall in Courtenay, both of which are passenger pick up locations for Island Links bus service, which provides one to three daily trips to Buckley Bay.
Alternatively, take a five-minute taxi ride from Comox Valley Airport to Comox Harbour, where you can arrange for a water taxi to bring you to Hornby in about 30 minutes.
DURING THE SUMMER, there is a cross Denman bus, operating 3 days/week, Friday through Sunday. The Hornby Summer Bus operates 7 days/week throughout the summer. FMI, www.HornbyBus.com and the Denman bus schedule is under the tab: CONNECTIONS.
Float Plane Options
NEW FOR 2022:
Gulf Island Seaplanes
F.M.I. Visit: https://hornbyisland.com/shop-service/gulf-island-seaplanes/
Direct scheduled dock to dock seaplane service Shingle Spit – Downtown Vancouver
A number of other companies do charter flights to Hornby and can provide you with quotes suited to your needs.
Another option is to fly with Harbour Air into the Comox Harbour, where a water taxi can be arranged to take you to Hornby Island in about 30 minutes.
DURING THE SUMMER, there is a Hornby Community Bus, which operates 7 days/week throughout the summer. FMI, www.HornbyBus.com
Traveling Via Private Boat
Hornby can be accessed year-round on water by private boat or charter. Ford Cove Harbour, Hornby’s marina, is located at the island’s south-western tip in the Lambert Channel and offers sheltered overnight stays. Contact them to check availability and review marine conditions.
DURING THE SUMMER, there is a Hornby Community Bus, which operates 7 days/week throughout the summer. FMI, www.HornbyBus.com
Traveling Via Bike
Last but not least, you’ll get extra points for your effort by biking! From Nanaimo, it’s about 110 km to Hornby – doable in one strenuous day. It’s more manageable from Comox with only 50 km to cover. Once you get off the ferry at Buckley Bay, it’s 11 km from there to the Hornby ferry.