Barnston Island Ferry - Port Kells

The staff were very kind and cheerful when my partner and I used the ferry this weekend. We went over to ride our bikes and had a good experience each way. There was good communication letting people know when to walk on and off. I also appreciated that we were treated nicely even though we weren't local to the island and just there to have some fun and enjoy the sun. I'll definitely be using the ferry again.

Note: Ferry is free to use regardless of vehicle or walking on.

Small ferry that can hold between4 to 5 cars. Usually no wait times but ferry also runs on demand. The Barnston starts first run at 6am and closes at midnight...365 days...and is FREE!!!

Easy on and Easy off... Nice little ferry ride to the island. I would definitely recommend anyone looking to escape the city life with this little adventure into a rural setting. Ditch the car at the parking lot and ride around the island.

Small on demand ferry, which can hold 4-5 cars. Cool, short ride and it's free.

The ferry is a simple pontoon, which is moved by a little tug boat.
One of the last and only services, provided 'at no cost'.

However, I believe, that this transfer of vehicles should be reserved for residents only. Visitors should always park on the mainland and continue by foot or bicycle.

I always see people crossing with their car, driving two or three rounds around the island , before they are heading back to the mainland.

Just a great little biking Escape. You currently can't do the whole Island due to Covid restrictions but can do most and turn back around. It was a great day.

Beautiful views while biking around Barnston Island. Ferry was frequent, fast, free and fabulous.

Free ferry runs across the river every 10 minutes. Cool place for a walk/bike ride.

Great little ferry. Polite crew. Short ride. Minimal wait times. Still running during covid but need to stay in your vehicle.

Cool ferry ride friendly people and nice little loop to bike around the island.

Quick ferry ride. Only a few minutes long. Few cars for on it. Not really a ferry either... It's a barge tied to a tugboat. Regardless, still a scenic and interesting ride. It's also free.

We spent 2 hours biking and had lunch. Our group had 14 people, kids range from 5-16 years old, and everyone enjoyed the afternoon. It helped that the weather was overcast and breezy. Ferry was quick and added to the fun experience.

Park you car (free parking) and take the free ferry ride over with your bike for a nice peaceful ride around Barnston Island. Nice and quiet, safe to ride on the road as there are few cars travelling here. Great place for a ride - just wish they could re-pave the road as it is pretty old and crumbled.

Non-residents can drive onto the ferry (back and forth every few mins) but the road is closed for COVID near the reserve and you can’t get through to do an island loop. Really nice lazy and quiet day or half day trip for the family - doesn’t feel like you are in Vancouver. Perfect for biking

Free ferry to get you to the Barnston Island. Only 2 minutes of ferry, but that's pretty much the only way to get to the island. It is fun to take your bike, as it is fun to bike on the island! And bring some cash - you may want to buy some farm eggs from the farmers there.

Only way to get to Barnston Island unless you have a boat so hope it is always available. An amazing location for biking with the family, driving the loop, visiting the river park or just going for a hike. Fun place to take some photos to if you have a mind to.

Great place for photo ops. People are friendly. 5 stars.. would recommend

The shortest ferry ride ever, in and out basically. Staff is friendly and you can ride your motorbike on as well, no issues. Just follow directions from staff about how you will need to park on the ferry.

I really admire the men and women that do this crossing everyday. This ferry is really unique to the lower mainland and I would encourage anybody that lives here to at least visit barnston Island once

Where else can you experience a free, 5-minute crossing of the mighty Fraser River, within the lower mainland? Walk on or take your bike for a beautiful, flat loop trip that takes about 45 minutes to ride. Stop at the MetroVancouver park at the north-west corner for public washrooms and riverfront access.
You can drive if you must, but be prepared to drive backwards when the ferry lands and when you reload for the return trip, and watch your speed as there are lots of kids and families on a sunny day. Be respectful that you are on the unceded traditional territory of the Katzie First Nation, who have lived in the lower Fraser River area for thousands of years.
You will pass through an Avalon Dairy organic dairy farm and see other farm animals, eagles, herons and songbirds.