To get from Courtenay to Denman Island, drive south to the Buckley Bay ferry terminal on Highway 19 and take the BC Ferries sailing across Baynes Sound. The crossing is on a small cable ferry, the Baynes Sound Connector, and it is short.
Driving to Buckley Bay
Highway 19 runs south from Courtenay along the Comox Valley toward the terminal. Buckley Bay is on the Vancouver Island side of the sound, and the ferry lands on the west side of Denman Island. Follow the BC Ferries signs and the lane markings once you reach the terminal.
Check fuel before you leave Courtenay if you plan to continue onto Denman and beyond. Island services are limited.
Sailing times and tickets
The BC Ferries website has the current sailing schedule, fares and any service notices for this route. Check it on the day, because times change with the season and delays do happen. Arrive with enough time to queue, especially on summer weekends and holidays. The page also states how to pay and whether reservations apply on this route.
If you plan to go on to Hornby Island, note that it is reached from the east side of Denman by a second ferry from Gravelly Bay. That is a separate sailing with its own schedule, so look at both together.
Getting there without driving
A taxi from the Comox Valley is straightforward to book for a drop at the terminal. See Comox taxi for local service, and use the taxi fare estimator for a starting figure.
Walk on passengers should check the BC Transit trip planner for the Comox Valley to see whether any bus reaches Buckley Bay at a useful time. Do not assume there is one that matches a particular sailing.
Once on Denman, distances are short but there is no large town centre, so decide where you are headed before you board. Bring what you need for the day, because shops and services are limited compared with Courtenay.
Dress for wind on the open deck, and keep an eye on the weather if you are on a bike or on foot.