So your sailing to Bella Coola has been cancelled — frustrating and stressful, but you’re not out of options.
BC Ferries has confirmed cancellations of Central Coast sailings from August 19–September 7 due to a mechanical issue with the Northern Sea Wolf. The affected route connects Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Shearwater, Ocean Falls and Bella Coola. BC Ferries is working to secure dry-dock capacity for repairs; return to service date is scheduled to be September 8, and they are also working to provide supplementary foot-passenger water taxi service to mid-coast communities.
1. Before you cancel, call your operators
This is the single most important step. The accommodations, guides, and tour operators in this region know the alternatives, they can hold a booking, and they’ll often have ideas you haven’t thought of. Pick up the phone before you cancel. Many will help you reroute, shift dates, or suggest a different way in rather than lose your trip altogether.
2. Rebook the ferry if you can travel later this season
- Rebook online
- Schedule (next sailings)
- Phone (reservations / customer service): 1-888-223-3779 (1-888-BC-FERRY)
3. If BC Ferries cancelled your sailing: refunds & compensation
If BC Ferries cancels your booking and can’t move you to an alternate sailing, you’re entitled to a full refund of your fares and reservation fee.
For out-of-pocket expenses, there’s a claims process through Customer Relations.
4. Fly in and rent a vehicle locally
You can skip the ferry entirely and fly. Pacific Coastal Airlines flies non-stop from Vancouver (YVR South Terminal) to Bella Coola (about 1 hour 20 minutes, three days a week) and to Anahim Lake in the West Chilcotin (daily in summer). Once you land, rent a 4×4 locally from Bella Coola Vehicle Rentals — they’re based at the Bella Coola Airport and also have a location in Anahim Lake. Or ask your experience provider or accommodation for any pick up options or shuttle services.
- Pacific Coastal — flights to Bella Coola
- Pacific Coastal — flights to Anahim Lake
- Bella Coola Vehicle Rentals
5. Drive in via Highway 20
Bella Coola is also reachable by road from Williams Lake via Highway 20 — about 5-6 hours.
- Road conditions: https://www.drivebc.ca
6. Headed to the Chilcotin? Anahim Lake changes the picture
If your destination is the West Chilcotin — Anahim Lake, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the Dean River corridor — you may not need the ferry at all. Anahim Lake sits on Highway 20 on the plateau, so you can drive there from Williams Lake. You can also fly straight into Anahim Lake with Pacific Coastal and pick up a rental from Bella Coola Vehicle Rentals’ Anahim Lake location.
7. Adjust your stay
If your dates or route shift, you’ll likely need to move your accommodation and any tours or bookings. Here’s where to start:
- Contact your originally booked accommodations & experience providers.
- Things to do & where to stay
A cancelled ferry doesn’t have to mean a cancelled trip. Between rebooking, flying, driving, or simply redirecting through the Chilcotin, the region is still well within reach — and the operators who live there are your best first call.
