By ferry
From the ferry to Casino Nanaimo
Nanaimo has two BC Ferries terminals, Departure Bay to the north and Duke Point across the harbour. The tool below walks through each way of arriving at Casino Nanaimo, from the ship to the door.
By the Chart editorsChecked October 13, 2026
Arriving at Departure Bay
The Departure Bay ferry terminal is at 680 Trans Canada Hwy, a 5 minute drive north of Nanaimo city centre. Of the two Nanaimo terminals, it is the one to the north. Its sailings cross to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. That crossing takes 1 h 42 min from Departure Bay.
Departure Bay sits in central Nanaimo, with frequent transit connections to downtown, North Nanaimo and beyond. Casino Nanaimo stands next to BC Transit's Downtown Nanaimo Exchange. Bay D of the exchange is about 240 m from the casino in a straight line. From the terminal itself, the casino is 3.3 km away as the crow flies. Roads add distance to that line.
Plot the way in
From a terminal or a stop to 620 Terminal Ave
- Departure Bay terminal is at 680 Trans Canada Hwy, a 5 minute drive north of the city centre.
- The terminal has frequent transit connections to downtown Nanaimo.
- Downtown, the casino stands next to the Downtown Nanaimo Exchange; Bay D is about 240 m from the door.
- Bring government-issued photo ID: it is scanned at the entrance.
Arriving at Duke Point
Duke Point terminal lies across the harbour from downtown Nanaimo. Sailings from Tsawwassen terminal in Delta, on the mainland, arrive here. The crossing from Tsawwassen takes 2 h 0 min. The straight line from the terminal to Casino Nanaimo measures 3.2 km. Water sits in between, so the road is longer than that line.
There is no public transit at the terminal. Foot passengers arrange a taxi, a rideshare or a private pickup for the trip into town. Short and long-term parking is on site for those who leave a car.
Leaving from the mainland
On the mainland, sailings to Nanaimo leave from Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen. Horseshoe Bay, in West Vancouver, is a 25 minute drive from downtown Vancouver and sails to Departure Bay. Everyone travelling with a vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay must book and pay in advance.
Tsawwassen terminal, at the southwest end of Highway 17 in Delta, is a 36 km drive from downtown Vancouver. Its sailings serve both Nanaimo terminals, Departure Bay and Duke Point. Other routes go to Swartz Bay near Victoria and the Southern Gulf Islands. Daily schedules and fares change, so this guide does not print them. They are on bcferries.com.
The last few hundred metres
The casino door is at 620 Terminal Ave, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5E2. Bay D of the Downtown Nanaimo Exchange is about 240 m away in a straight line. Closer stops are Victoria Cres at Albert St, about 150 m away, and Front St at Museum Way, about 180 m away. Parking at the casino is free for anyone driving off the ferry. Every guest shows government-issued photo ID at the entrance, and security scans it.
- Distances on this page are straight lines between map points, so roads and ferry routes are longer.
- Casino Nanaimo says nothing about arriving by ferry, so the ferry details on this page come from BC Ferries.
Questions from the dock
Which ferry terminal is closer to Casino Nanaimo by road?
Road distances are not given here. In a straight line, Duke Point is 3.2 km away and Departure Bay is 3.3 km. Duke Point sits across the harbour, so its road is longer than the line. Departure Bay is a 5 minute drive north of the city centre.
Is there a bus from Duke Point?
Duke Point terminal has no public transit. Foot passengers arrange a taxi, a rideshare or a private pickup.
Do drivers need to book the Horseshoe Bay ferry?
Everyone travelling with a vehicle from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay must book and pay in advance.
Where are ferry times published?
BC Ferries changes its daily schedules and fares, so this guide does not print them. Current times and fares are on bcferries.com.