Visitor Info » Getting Here
Getting Here
Ferry Travellers
From West Vancouver (40 min sailing)
Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale/Sunshine Coast. The 40 minute trip is very scenic with views of Bowen and Gambier Islands and the coastal mountains. The ship is a large "C class" vessel with full service cafeteria, gift shop, snack bar. Capacity 311 vehicles, 1494 passengers & crew. The race start is about 5km from the Langdale terminal.
The Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal is easy to find with lots of clear signage on the highway from either direction, and within the terminal (detailed driving directions on BC Ferries site). Cut-off time for ticket sales is 10 minutes but you'll want to arrive at least 30 minutes before sailing time if driving, 20 minutes if parking and walking on.
The sailing time is 40-45 minutes. The cost for the round trip as of April 1 2021 is $13.70 per 'adult' (12+), $6.85 per child (5-11), $45.90 per passenger vehicle (up to 20'), $2 per bicycle. Seniors free Mon-Thur. You don't pay on the way back to Horseshoe Bay, and children under 5 are free.
TIP #1: Carpool to save $; and get a BC Ferries 'Experience Card' and pre-load it to get approx 23% savings on fares. Minimum pre-load amount is $95 for a vehicle/passenger card and $55 for a passenger-only card. You can use the card for discounted fares on most minor routes, and payment of regular fares on the major routes — so the unused balance from race weekend won't be "wasted".
TIP #2: avoid ferry food, other than the porridge, which is actually quite good for a pre-race breakfast.
TIP #3: on the ferry, face diapers are not required when eating or drinking, or when inside your vehicle. So bring tea or coffee in a travel mug and some snacks that take 45 mins to eat (e.g. sunflower seeds!) so you can breathe freely and stay healthy.
Schedule and fares subject to change. Check BC Ferries website for latest information before travelling. Note: credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, BCF Experience Card), debit (new), travellers cheques and cash accepted at ferry terminal and on ferry. There are also ATM's on board.
From Powell River (50 min sailing)
For those coming from Powell River, Texada, Comox, etc: sailing time is 50 minutes from Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove, and fares are slightly less than the HSB-Langdale route. Driving time from Earl's Cove to Gibsons is approximately 1 hr 15 mins. Click here for schedule. The vessel is the Malaspina Sky. Your 'Experience Card' (see above) will save you about 22% on this route.
Foot Passengers, Cyclists & Public Transit
Save money by leaving your car at home or in Horseshoe Bay (pay parking) and travelling as a foot passenger.
To get to Horseshoe Bay from Vancouver, take the #250 or #257 bus from downtown, Park Royal, or another stop along the way. Use Translink's handy Trip Planner.
Once in Langdale, you can take public transit (Route 1 or Route 90) from Langdale to Gibsons and beyond at a cost of $2 pp. The bus stop is at the end of the passenger walkway.
TIP: after the run, once you're back in Gibsons, take the public bus down to Gibsons Landing and celebrate your run at Molly's Reach, Gramma's Pub, or another friendly establishment in the Landing. THEN you can get on a later bus to the ferry.
Cyclists: the cost to bring your bike on the ferry is only $2 (in addition to the foot passenger fare) or FREE with an Experience Card. On the Gibsons side you can put your bike on the rack in front of the public bus, or ride in (if you're training for a triathlon and like hill climbs!). See driving directions below. Tip: for a gentler climb, take the "Tourist Route".
Driving directions from Langdale ferry terminal
If you are using GPS, input 700 Park Road (Gibsons) as your destination.
Map of start area and hotels
The direct route (about 7 minutes): Upon leaving the ferry terminal, go straight at the first set of lights and head up the big hill with the main traffic. Turn left at the top (the main route) and then right again after a short downhill (follow the traffic). Now you are on North Road.
Keep going until you reach the traffic lights at Gibsons Way / Sunshine Coast Highway, then turn right. After you pass Sunnycrest Mall, turn immediately right at the Chevron (traffic light). Go to the end of this short access road and turn left to enter the Gibsons Community Centre parking lot. You'll see the centre ahead to your left. Plenty of parking is available at the Centre.
If you miss the turn at the Chevron, take the next right which is Park Road. This takes you to the Community Centre from the other side. Look for the entrance at the top of the first hill.
The tourist route (about 10 minutes): From the ferry get into the left lane and turn left at the first lights, onto Marine Drive. Follow this into Gibsons Landing, just over 3 km. You will see the famous "Molly's Reach" from The Beachcombers straight ahead as you near the shops.
After passing Molly's Reach and going up the short hill, turn right at the intersection (you're the only one without a stop sign at this 3-way stop, but watch for pedestrians) onto Gibsons Way. Follow this up the hill and eventually it becomes the Sunshine Coast Highway.
In Upper Gibsons, turn right at the Chevron or Park Road as instructed above for 'the direct route'.
Ride Sharing
Participants interested in carpooling to attend the Fools Run can use a service like Rideshare to post a ride wanted or ride offered. It is free and easy to use, no registration required. Click here to go to the website.
Other Modes of Travel
For more info on travelling to the Sunshine Coast, check out this page on Sunshine Coast Tourism: Getting to the Sunshine Coast, which includes info on buses and private water taxi service.
Float Plane
Take the shortcut and the scenic route with Harbour Air Seaplanes. Daily scheduled departures between Sechelt, downtown Vancouver, Richmond and Nanaimo. Coming from Victoria? Find a connecting flight via Vancouver or Richmond. For more information visit www.harbourair.com. Book online and find SuperSaver rates!
Another option when coming from Vancouver Island: Sunshine Coast Air offers fast, reliable and affordable schedule services between Nanaimo and Sechelt. For scheduled flights, reservations and other information visit www.sunshinecoastair.com.
Public Transit and Car Rental from Sechelt
So now you've landed in Sechelt with no vehicle — how to get to Gibsons? Easy!
- From Harbour Air terminal — Take public transit: Route 3 connecting bus goes right by and takes you to downtown Sechelt, where you can hop on the Sechelt-Gibsons route or the Express route. Or walk along Wharf Ave to Hwy 101 to the Sechelt-Gibsons route — it's only about 800m.
- From either airline — Rent a car from Prime Rentals 604-885-6422, right at the airline office
