Victoria, Vancouver sailings cancelled, more at risk following wind warning<\/p>\n
Published 12:45 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2026<\/p>\n
Multiple sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen have been cancelled or are at risk of cancellation Wednesday (March 11).<\/p>\n
Environment Canada has issued a severe weather forecast for high winds in the Strait of Georgia, predicting westerly wind gusts up to 90 km\/hr.<\/p>\n
Sailings departing Swartz Bay at 3 and 7 p.m.; and Tsawwassen at 5 and 9 p.m., have been cancelled to ensure the safety of BC Ferries customers and crew.<\/p>\n
All other sailings after 3 p.m. remain at risk of cancellation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know you have important places to be,\u201d said BC Ferries in a service notice. \u201cWe will monitor the weather conditions and will share updates with you as further information becomes available.\u201d<\/p>\n
To assist with high traffic volumes as a result of cancellations, BC Ferries will provide additional round-trip sailings tonight, departing Swartz Bay at 8 p.m. and Tsawwassen at 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
Alternate service is also available via BC Ferries\u2019 Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to the ongoing Horseshoe Bay Essential Infrastructure Program, all vehicle travel departing Horseshoe Bay must be booked and paid in advance up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure,\u201d said BC Ferries.<\/p>\n
Customers booked on a cancelled sailing will hear from our BC Ferries\u2019 customer service centre to let them know if they can be accommodated on an alternate sailing later today, or if their booking must be cancelled and refunded.<\/p>\n
Environment Canada\u2019s weather warning for Greater Victoria, the Gulf Islands and the Malahat says the most intense winds are expected this evening, but conditions will remain gusty through tonight and into Thursday (March 12).<\/p>\n
Local power outages are possible, they say, plus possible damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters. Parks and forests will also likely sustain some damage.<\/p>\n