Sunny August long weekend attracts high volumes on BC Ferries

Forecasts for the August long weekend show a streak of sunny skies, which means many Vancouverites will be heading out on the water to the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

But those without a reservation may take a while to get to their destination.

BC Ferries says the upcoming long weekend is the busiest one of the year — and it just keeps on getting busier.

"In general, for more than a year now, traffic has been increasing compared to the same time the previous year," said BC Ferries public affairs manager Darin Guenette in an email.

The company reached its traffic peak in 2008. Guenette says while BC Ferries hasn't quite reached those numbers, the upward trend is continuing with last week's traffic at all terminals up about five per cent from last year.

Prepare to be flexible with travel time

Guenette is advising travellers to plan ahead for longer wait times this weekend and to aim for either the first few early sailings or for later ones.

"The peak travel times probably build just before noon all the way until about 7 p.m. So if you're able to travel on an early ferry, you probably have lighter lines, or late at night as well," said Guenette.

He says most reservations for the busiest routes will be filled at this point, but suggests that travellers try the call service line to check for potential "show and go" spots.

"We don't fully reserve those sailings, so even if the reservations are taken — and we might reserve anywhere between 45 and as high as 75 per cent of the sailing — there'll be room, so it doesn't mean that the sailing's not available."

Extra staff to help accommodate the higher volumes will be on duty this weekend, as well as additional sailings available on the newly repaired Queen of Burnaby ship.