False Creek Ferries

A small ferry network in the heart of Vancouver, False Creek Ferries is a handy way to jump between attractions. It’s also an option for sightseeing tours.

For information about this company and its competition – the Aquabus – see our article about Vancouver Mini Ferry Companies. To learn just about False Creek Ferries, which is also sometimes known as Granville Island Ferries, continue reading.

This article contains the following information about False Creek Ferries:

Hours, Admission and Routes | Video | Sightseeing Cruises | Other Information

Granville Island’s False Creek Ferries Company

Operating for around 40 years, False Creek Ferries has grown from a company that started with 4 small boats to one that now has over 15. It services 9 different stops along the False Creek waterfront.

The main hub for the ferry service is Granville Island. That’s where the company originated and is still based. The popular tourist and shopping district is the busiest stop along the company’s three different routes. At peak times there can be ferries stopping at Granville Island seemingly every minute!

False Creek Ferries is one of two Mini Harbour Ferry Companies, along with Aquabus. The two companies are fairly similar, with slight differences in routes and rules. False Creek Ferries is older. Interestingly, it was the son of a former False Creek Ferries partner that founded Aquabus.

False Creek Ferries Boat

Hours, Admission and Routes

False Creek Ferries has three routes with slightly different operating hours. During the busy summer season, the earliest sailing of the day is at 7:15 am. The latest is at 10:00 pm. During the winter season the earliest sailing is at 7:00 am but the latest is at 8:00 pm.

Below is some more detail about each of the main three routes (with winter hours and rates as of January, 2024). Hours at other times of the year are different.

Route 1 (Blue)

The shortest, cheapest and most frequent route, this one goes back and forth between just two stops – Granville Island and the Aquatic Centre at Sunset Beach.

(Note: Details are as of early 2024. Sailing frequencies, prices and other details are different at other times of the year.)

Cost – $3.75 for adults ($6.50 for return trip); $2.50 for seniors and children ($4.50 return).
Stops – Granville Island and the Aquatic Centre.
First and Last Sailings – first sailing is at 7:00 am and last is at 9:00 pm.
Length and Frequency – ferries depart about every 5 minutes; the sailing time is 3 minutes.

Route 2 (Yellow)

(Note: Again, details are as of early 2024. Sailing frequencies, prices and other details are different at other times of the year.)

One extra stop compared to the Blue Route, this is how you can reach the Maritime Museum (the westernmost stop that the ferry visits). It’s a great museum, especially if you like history, boats and model ships.

Cost – $6 for adults ($9.50 for return trip) and $4.50 for seniors and children ($6.50 for return).
Stops – Granville Island, the Aquatic Centre and the Maritime Museum
First and Last Sailings – first sailings are at 9:48 am from Granville Island and 10:00 am from the Maritime Museum. Last sailings are at 4:48 pm from Granville Island and 5:00 pm from the Maritime Museum.
Length and Frequency – ferries depart every 15 minutes; the sailing time is 15 minutes.

False Creek Ferry and Aquabus

Route 3 (Red)

(Note: Again, details are as of early 2024. Sailing frequencies, prices and other details are different at other times of the year.)

The Red Route is the longest of the three routes and includes all six other stops. It’s also split into two different versions. The first one ends at Yaletown which isn’t the easternmost stop that the ferry visits.

Cost – $5.25 for adults ($9 for return trip) and $3.75 for seniors and children ($6 for return).
Stops – Granville Island, David Lam Park, Stamp’s Landing, Spyglass, Yaletown.
First and Last Sailings – first sailings are at 7:25 am from Granville Island and 7:22 am from Yaletown. Last sailings are at 8:10 pm from Granville Island and 8:25 pm from Yaletown.
Length and Frequency – ferries depart every 7 to 15 minutes; the sailing time is 12 minutes.

The second version of the Red Route stretches out from Granville Island all the way to The Village Dock at Science World. It’s the longest of any options.

Cost – $7.25 for adults ($12.50 for return trip) and $5.25 for seniors and children ($9.50 for return).
Stops – Granville Island, David Lam Park, Stamp’s Landing, Spyglass, Yaletown, The Parq Casino, Science World.
First and Last Sailings – first sailings are at 7:10 am from Granville Island and 7:30 am from Science World. Last sailings are at 8:10 pm from Granville Island and 8:30 pm from Science World.
Length and Frequency – ferries depart every 15 minutes; sailing time is 20 minutes.

For those who know they will be using the ferry multiple times over the course of a day, there are day passes available. They cost about $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and children. A day pass gives unlimited access to all routes and stops for that day.

False Creek Ferries Video

To get a good idea of what to expect from a ride on a False Creek Ferries’ boat, check out the following video.

The video starts on the docks at Granville Island. Other scenes you’ll see include the Burrard Street Bridge, other bridges, marinas and the Vancouver skyline along the West End and Yaletown. The video ends at the mouth of False Creek near Sunset Beach (as viewed from Vanier Park).

The experience on an Aquabus vessel is pretty similar. The Aquabus is bigger and can accommodate bicycles. For a video about the Aquabus, see our article about Vancouver Mini Ferry Companies.

Sightseeing Cruises

While the scheduled transit trips are the more well-known part of False Creek Ferries, the company also offers regular sightseeing cruises. There are two sightseeing options, both of which start from Granville Island.

The first is the 20-minute cruise that costs about $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for seniors and children. This option heads west and includes views of the North Shore, Sunset Beach, the West End and more in that area of Vancouver. In the summer the 20-minute cruise departs about every 15 minutes starting at 9:45 am and ending at 7:45 pm.

There’s also the 40-minute cruise that costs about $12.50 for adults and $9.50 for seniors and children. This one heads east and hits the downtown area with sights like Yaletown, BC Place, Rogers Arena and the Olympic Village. The 40-minute cruise leaves roughly every 15 minutes from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm in the summer.