Directions

Getting to OUR Ecovillage

Depending on where you are coming from, there are plenty of options for traveling to OUR Ecovillage.

Though we do not have a shuttle service for guests and participants, our hope is to reach out and conserve resources by linking those who can mutually create ride opportunities. If you can give us a good deal of advanced notice we will attempt to link people for rideshare.

We’ve tried to provide options for many of them below. Please let us know if you need further clarification. If you wish more information than this Google Map, just scroll down for more information and directions from nearby airports and ferries

O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE

1565 Baldy Mountain Rd
Shawnigan Lake, BC
V8H 2A9
Canada

Air Travel

The closest fairly well-accessed international airport to OUR is Victoria International Airport (YYJ), which is served by flights to and from Abbotsford, Calgary, Cancun, Edmonton, Honolulu, Kelowna, Las Vegas, Los Cabos, Nanaimo, Pheonix, Puerta Vallarta, San Francisco, Seattle, Tofino, Toronto, and Vancouver. You may also fly into Nanaimo Airport (YCD), which is a smaller regional airport with flights from places such as Vancouver, Victoria, and Abbotsford. Guests arriving from overseas are most likely to find direct flights or less expensive tickets from their home airport to either Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Read below for ground transportation options to complete your journey. Passengers flying domestically within the US may find it more economical to fly into Bellingham International Airport (BLI) and travel north on ground or water transport, as domestic US flights, especially on discount carriers such as Allegiant, can be much cheaper than international flights to Canada. Even factoring in additional travel costs to complete the trip to Shawnigan, flying to an alternate airport can be more economical.

LOOKING FOR FLIGHTS?

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Public Transit

While you cannot reach OUR Ecovillage by public transit alone; much of BC is connected by an extensive and low-cost network of buses, trains, and subways, making it an excellent option for transportation.

Buses:
BC Transit provides bus service to much of the south island, with service waning outside of Greater Victoria and ending in Courtenay. For trips to or from the North Island, Island Link Buses offers reliable albeit expensive service along the entirety of the Island, spanning from Victoria all the way to Port Hardy. Within Vancouver, bus service is provided by TransLink, which services the Metro Vancouver area.

Trains:
Vancouver is served by North America’s train networks and it is quite easy to travel to the island from Vancouver by other means. Traveling from within Canada, Via Rail is our main service provider, with main routes running from Vancouver to Toronto and then East to Halifax. Check ViaRail for ticket prices, schedules, and routes. US Amtrak winds up in Vancouver via Portland and Seattle but has routes originating from all across the mainland US. Visit Amtrak to find out more.

Ferries:
BC Ferries serves the Island with trips from Tsawassen Ferry Terminal (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay (north of Victoria) every two hours from 7am–9pm (hourly during the summer holidays and on peak holiday weekends). You can also sail from Tsawassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo, 1.5 hours north of us), 6–8 times a day, depending on the day of the week. Coming from north of Vancouver, you can take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay (North Vancouver) to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) 8–14 times a day, depending on volume. The above ferries are large car and passenger ferries with multiple food service options. Within Washington there is the Seattle Clipper, a passenger-only ferry which departs from downtown Seattle to Victoria once or twice a day depending on the season, and the Coho operated by Black Ball Ferries in Port Angeles, which supports large cars and offers a number of amenities. The Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Ferry and the Seattle Clipper are the best routes for reaching OUR Ecovillage from the mainland, though other routes may be preferred due to scheduling or location.

FROM VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

From the Vancouver International Airport you can reach OUR Ecovillage from two main routes: the Horseshoe Bay Ferry to Nanaimo, or the Tsawwassen Ferry to Victoria. It’s recommended that you take the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay Ferry, as it sails more frequently and Victoria offers easily accessible transportation to Mill Bay. The Tsawwassen to Duke Point Ferry is not recommended, as it sails infrequently and offers no public transit on the Island side. Directions from those ferries to OUR Ecovillage can be found under their respective sections.

To Horseshoe Bay:
Take the Skytrain light rail system (the station is outside arrivals terminal) towards downtown. Get off at Vancouver City Centre, turn left from the station entrance and cross the road to catch route 250 or 257 at the station across the road from the London Drugs. The bus will take you the rest of the way to the terminal from there. The 250/257 doesn’t necessarily arrive in sync with the ferry’s schedule, so be sure to check in advance.

To Tsawwassen:
Take the Skytrain light rail system (the station is outside arrivals terminal) towards downtown. Get off at Bridgeport Station and walk down the stairs to the bus loop. Ask for bus 620 Tsawwassen (or look for all the travelers!) The bus leaves just before the hour, arriving approximately 40 minutes later, but in time to get that hour’s ferry. For example, for the a 9:55 am departure from Bridgeport would have you on the 11 am ferry.

FROM VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

Reaching OUR Ecovillage from the Victoria International Airport is much faster and easier than other airports due to it’s location on the island. Both the Brentwood Bay Ferry and the Victoria Express can be accessed by bus from the airport, and offer transit from Victoria to Mill Bay. Both are excellent options, and which one you choose depends on timing and personal preference.

To Mill Bay (via Brentwood Bay Ferry):
The Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal can be reached by taking route 87 to the Saanichton Exchange, transferring to route 75 at Exchange Bay B, and getting off at Verdier Ave. at Brentwood Dr.

To Mill Bay (via Victoria Express):
Mill Bay can also be reached by taking route 87 or 88 to the McTavish Exchange, transferring to route 72 or 70/70X, getting off at Douglas at Summit, and taking route 99 or 66 to Mill Bay from there.

FROM SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

The fastest route to OUR EcoVillage from SeaTac is via the Seattle Clipper, however due to infrequent sailings and high cost it may be preferable to travel via Quick Shuttle to Tsawwassen. A route to Port Angeles is also possible, although more difficult than the other two. Directions to the EcoVillage from the ferry terminals can be found under their respective sections.

To Seattle Clipper:
The Seattle Clipper’s terminal can be reached by taking the 1 line from the airport, either stopping at Westlake for those willing to walk a distance, or by getting off at Pioneer Square and walking up a block to catch the E or D line on 3rd Ave & Columbus street, getting off at 3rd Ave & Bell Street to shorten the walk. In either case, you’ll need to walk along the waterfront until you reach the Clipper. This route is much shorter than the one to Tsawwassen, but can be more expensive and difficult to schedule.

To Tsawwassen:
The Quick Shuttle departs SeaTac Airport 5–7 times a day, arriving at River Rock Casino in Vancouver approximately four hours later. The casino complex is attached to a major Translink bus depot. Make your way to the bus loop. Ask for bus 620 Tsawassen (or look for all the travelers!) The bus leaves just before the hour, arriving approximately 40 minutes later, but in time to get that hour’s ferry. For example, a 9:55 am the departure from Bridgeport would have you on the 11 am the ferry.

To Port Angeles:
Take the 1 line (the light rail station is just by the main terminal) to Pioneer Square Station, from there walk down Columbia Street to reach the ferry terminal. Take the Seattle to Bainbridge Island Ferry. On the other side, go to the nearby bus stop (just across from the bike rentals) and take the Straight Shot all the way tothe Gateway Transit Center, just a short walk from the Port Angeles ferry terminal where you can catch the Coho Ferry to Victoria.

FROM BELLINGHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

Bellingham International Airport is the closest airport in the US, making it a good option for those flying from within the US due to cheap domestic flights. You can get to the island by travelling to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, taking the ferry to Swartz Bay from there. Directions to OUR Ecovillage from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal can be found under its section.

To Tsawwassen:
The Quick Shuttle departs Bellingham Airport 5–7 times a day, arriving at River Rock Casino in Vancouver approximately 1.5-2 hours later. The casino complex is attached to a major Translink bus depot. Make your way to the bus loop. Ask for bus 620 Tsawassen (or look for all the travelers!) The bus leaves just before the hour, arriving approximately 40 minutes later, but in time to get that hour’s ferry. For example, a 9:55 am the departure from Bridgeport would have you on the 11 am the ferry.

FROM SWARTZ BAY FERRY TERMINAL:

Due to the availability of public transit in Victoria and it’s frequent sailings to Vancouver, via the Swartz Bay ferry is the recommended way to reach OUR Ecovillage from the mainland. From there, we can be reached either by taking the Brentwood Bay Ferry, which is more scenic and bypasses traffic on the Malahat, or by taking the Victoria Express. Directions for both routes can be found below:

To Mill Bay (via Brentwood Bay Ferry):
The Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal can be reached by taking bus 72 or 75 to the Saanichton Exchange, transferring to route 75 at Exchange Bay B, getting off at Verdier Ave. at Brentwood Dr. and taking a short walk down the hill to reach the ferry terminal.

To Mill Bay (via Victoria Express):
Mill Bay can also be reached by taking route 72 or 70/70X to Douglas at Summit, taking route 99 or 66 to Mill Bay from there.

FROM DUKE POINT FERRY TERMINAL:

Unfortunately, the Duke Point Ferry Terminal is not connected to public transit. It is recommended to go to Swartz Bay instead if you are traveling without a car.

FROM DEPARTURE BAY FERRY TERMINAL:

While less convenient than Swartz Bay, the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay ferry may be preferable in some cases. Bus service from here is notably less frequent than in Victoria or Vancouver, so take care to schedule around bus timings if travelling here without a car.

To Mill Bay:
Mill Bay can be reached by taking route 20/20A to the Downtown Nanaimo Exchange, transferring to route 70 at Exchange Bay D, before transferring to route 8 at Canada Ave at Station St.

FROM BELLEVILLE FERRY TERMINAL (SEATTLE CLIPPER/COHO):

The Seattle Clipper and the Coho both dock at Belleville Ferry terminal. Both the Victoria Express and route 75 have stops very close to the terminal, making this a very simple route with no transfers.

To Mill Bay (via Brentwood Bay Ferry):
The Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal can be reached by walking to the Legislature Exchange (Belleville St), taking bus 75 from Bay G, and getting off at Verdier Ave. at Brentwood Dr. Walk down Verdier Ave. to reach the ferry terminal.

To Mill Bay (via Victoria Express):
Mill Bay can also be reached by walking to the legislature terminal (just off government street on superior, near the Royal BC Museum) and taking route 66 or route 99 to to Mill Bay from there.

TRAVELLING BY CAR

Driving from the South (Victoria) follow these Google Map directions

Leaving Victoria, Douglas St becomes Hwy 1/Malahat.
Follow signs to Duncan or Nanaimo.
Drive 41 km/40 minutes.
Just after you come over the Malahat, look out for Mill Bay, which has a Co-op gas station and a big shopping plaza on the right, and A&W, McDonald’s, and Tim Hortons in a small plaza on the left.
Go through those lights, and at the next set of lights, turn left onto Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road. Drive 3.5km/5 minutes to Sylvester Road.
Turn left on Sylvester. Drive 1.3 km/2 minutes, turn right on Baldy Mountain Road.
Slow down at postal boxes on the right.
Turn right at 1565 (orange fence) and take driveway all the way down to the Healing Sanctuary, which is at the bottom of the driveway, behind a small pond.
Park and walk up the hill to the office (go up the left fork of the driveway). Ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.

DRIVING FROM THE NORTH (Nanaimo/Duncan/Crofton Ferry) follow Google directions here

Drive south on Hwy 1.
As you’re arriving into Mill Bay, yield off to the right onto Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road.
If you reach an intersection with a large Co-Op gas station, plaza, and McDonald’s, you’ve gone one set of lights too far.
Drive 3.5km/5 minutes to Sylvester Road. While on Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road you will go past Kerry Park Arena and come under a major power line. Turn left on Sylvester.
Drive 1.3 km/2 minutes, turn right on Baldy Mountain Road.
Slow down at postal boxes on the right. Turn right at 1565 (orange fence) and take driveway all the way down to the Healing Sanctuary, which is at the bottom of the driveway, behind a small pond.
Park and walk up the hill to the office (go up the left fork of the driveway). Ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.

DRIVING FROM COBBLE HILL AREA:

Drive south on Shawnigan Lake Road.
Turn left onto McKernan Rd.
Turn right onto Galland Rd.
Take the 2nd left onto Baldy Mountain Rd. Drive approximately 1 km and turn left at 1565 (orange fence) and take driveway all the way down to the Healing Sanctuary, which is at the bottom of the driveway, behind a small pond.
Park and walk up the hill to the office (go up the left fork of the driveway).
Ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.

DRIVING FROM SHAWNIGAN LAKE VILLAGE:

Go East on Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road.
Slow down when you’ve passed Countryside Place on your right.
Keep looking to the left side for Sylvester Road street sign. It is immediately across from Sylvester Road.
Turn right. Drive 1.3 km/2 minutes, turn right on Baldy Mountain.
Slow down at postal boxes on the right.
Turn right at 1565 (brown fence) and take driveway all the way down to the Healing Sanctuary, which is at the bottom of the driveway, behind a small pond.
Park and walk up the hill to the office (go up the left fork of the driveway).
Ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction.