By Car from the USA:  We prefer the Black Ball Ferry Line, which operates the M.V. Coho passenger and vehicle ferry linking Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island with Port Angeles, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. It saves loads of driving on the US side and you don't have to drive through the Lower Mainland/Vancouver. The icing on the cake is that customs is quicker; it's altogether a more civilized experience. 
Port Angeles Terminal: 888-99-FERRY / 360-457-4491  |  Victoria Terminal:  800-COHO-4751 / 250-386-2202
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From Victoria it's a 3-4 hour scenic drive North on Hwy 1 to exit 101 - Buckley Bay. Although if you have time, I recommend taking the "Oceanside Route" North of Nanaimo, described in the next paragraph. 
1901 sign, road lit by headlamps, sunset behind Hornby Island
"Here" being 1901 East Road, Denman Island, that's Hornby Island across the water
 
By Land: Once you are on Vancouver Island, the Buckley Bay ferry terminal that connects to Denman Island is a 30-minute drive south of Comox, one-hour drive north of Nanaimo or a 3.5-hour drive north from Victoria. From Nanaimo, travel on Highway 19 (the Inland Highway) or take the scenic Oceanside Route that goes through the seaside communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Bowser, Deep Bay and Fanny Bay before reaching Buckley Bay, which also means there are more eating options on this route as well.
From North Vancouver Island, Buckley Bay is a 3.5-hour drive south of Port Hardy on Highway 19.
 
BC FERRIES to Vancouver Island: Several ferry services link the British Columbia mainland to Vancouver Island. BC Ferry terminals on Vancouver Island are in Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay or Duke Point) with routes to/from the Vancouver area; Comox, to/from Powell River on the Sunshine Coast; and Port Hardy, from Prince Rupert via the Inside Passage. 
​► BC Ferries at www.bcferries.com | call 1-888-223-3779 for route information/reservations.
 
NEW! HULLO Passenger Ferries from Downtown Vancouver to Vancouver Island: 4 Daily 'high-speed' sailings between Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre.and the Nanaimo Port Authority, downtown Nanaimo. "Sailing Comfort gives you a reserved seat on the main deck, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi so you can stay connected through the entire voyage." Sailing time is 1 hour 15 minutes. A round-trip ticket costs $75, or $35 for seniors, minus $10 discount if it's your first voyage!
​► Say Hullo at https://hullo.com | e: [email protected]​
 
By Air: The closest airport is the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) where you can also book a rental car for your stay. It offers daily flights with Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. The drive from the airport to the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal to reach Denman Island is about 30 minutes.  
Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is another feasible option as it's just over an hour's drive to Buckley Bay. ​
 
By Bus: Island Link Bus provides an express bus service between Buckley Bay and other arrival/departure destinations on Vancouver Island. Make a reservation to guarantee a seat.  ► https://www.islandlinkbus.com/​
 
By Float Plane: Gulf Island Seaplanes are proud to introduce their newest scheduled route: Roundtrip from Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (downtown Vancouver), to the dock at the Thatch Pub on Hornby Island which is beside the ferry terminal for Denman Island. This is the most convenient and exciting choice for passengers to travel here! It’s also an affordable option, as the only added cost is a $9.50 round-trip BC Ferries ticket for foot passengers between Hornby and Denman. We will pick you up on this side for the four-minute drive to Manna House.
In contrast to getting to Denman Island from Vancouver via the ferry, which can take the better part of a day, this way will take a couple of hours (or less). Click here for the latest flight schedule.
 
On Foot (with our help :)  ► Shuttle Service ► Ferry Ride
If you prefer not to bring or hire a car, we're here to help. Planning a trip to a remote island can seem a bit daunting, so let us do the heavy lifting...
Stage 1: We will arrange for Ambassador Transport (subject to availability, or we will book a local taxi) to pick you up at Comox Airport, the Comox ferry terminal for the ferry to/from Powell River, or the float plane terminal in Comox Marina. For up to 6 people, it's CAD$60 for the first person, plus $10 per person after that, to bring you to the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal.  [If you fly or sail into Nanaimo please ask us for a quote.]
Ambassador Shuttle Service
Ambassador Shuttle Service
Stage 2: The "Baynes Sound Connector" is the world's longest cable ferry, and you get to ride on it! You'll need to buy your ticket at the booth and board as a foot passenger (for $9.30); the two-mile crossing takes 10 minutes.
​​Find out more about the ferry to Denman Island  ►
Stage 3 - Option 1: Someone will pick you up on the Denman side and whisk you off to Manna House, a mere seven minutes drive! This is a complimentary service to guests that is subject to availability. Please email us at [email protected] with your request, including exactly where and when you will need to be picked up, and we'll get back to you within 48 hours.
Stage 3 - Option 2 (Summer Only): The Scuttlebus ~ Denman Island Bus Service (DIBS) Our new (free!) bus, knicknamed "the Scuttlebus", operates 5 days a week through Summer until the September long weekend, providing a shuttle from Denman West Ferry Terminal to Gravelly Bay Terminal every 45 minutes, connecting foot and bicycle passengers to and from Hornby Island. There are bus-stops, but the driver will pull over wherever you ask, e.g. at the bottom of our driveway!
Find out more about DIBS  ►
Guests boarding the Skuttle Bus
Guests boarding the Skuttle Bus at the bottom of our driveway
 
Denman Island Community Dock
If you have your own boat, you may moor at the Denman Island Community Dock for two consecutive nights. It's on the west side, next to the Denman West ferry terminal. Moorage is free for the first six hours, then $1/foot/day. A payment box is at the top of the dock ramp, with rates & regulations (or go to the Community Dock information on the Denman Residents Association website).
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​Text us on arrival and someone will pick you up.
Purple Martin Nesting Boxes, Denman Island Community Dock
"The Western Purple Martin is a Blue-listed species in British Columbia that is entirely dependent on artificial nest boxes.
The population reached an all-time low of 5 breeding pairs in BC in the mid 1980’s as a result of habitat loss and competition from introduced species, the House Sparrow and European Starling. Stewardship programs on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland began an extensive nest box program in order to save the species from extirpation in BC. Their numbers have since rebounded to approximately 585 nesting pairs in 2010 and then doubling to approximately 1200 pairs in 2018. The population is still limited by lack of suitable nesting habitat, competition from introduced species, and inclement weather conditions."
(Squamish Purple Martin Nest Boxes – Squamish Environment Society)
Purple Martin Nesting Boxes, Denman Island Community Dock
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