There are many options for getting to E-Den! Aside from a direct boat or float-plane air charter, one would normally take the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, travel north to French Creek Marina (just north of Parksville), and then take a one hour foot ferry to Lasqueti. Depending on connections, it can take as little as 4 1/2 hours.
1) To Nanaimo:
a) Walk/Bike- take the 250/257 bus from downtown to Horseshoe Bay ($3.75) and take the Nanaimo ferry as a walk-on passenger ($14).
b) Drive- take your car from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay and then onto the ferry (~$47).
2) To French Creek Marina (just north of Parksville):
a) Walk/Bike- The #2/#2A bus picks up at the Nanaimo Departure Bay ferry terminal and with your transfer, get on the #90 bus at Woodgrove mall which takes you to Wembley Mall in Parksville. Here one can do some last minute shopping but unless you’re on bike, it is a 2km walk to French Creek. Note transfer times aren’t great so plan on all day travel but it is a bargain ($2.25).
b) Walk- The Island Link Shuttle is the simplest most direct way for a traveller to go. They pick up at the Nanaimo ferry terminal and drop off at the French Creek Marina Store (~$20). Cheaper options include the Tofino bus and Greyhound but they only go to Parksville or have poorer connection times.
c) Drive to French Creek Marina (look for the Lasqueti ferry terminal sign on your right as you drive north of Parksville). Park your vehicle in the main parking lot or in overflow ($3/day).
3) To Lasqueti Island: Take the Lasqueti foot ferry located at end of parking lot in French Creek marina. Get a boarding pass if they are on the dock- this will help ensure you get on the ferry during peak travel season. A ferry ticket is $8 and runs three times daily Thursday to Monday (+ Wednesday in summer).
Another option is taking a sail-boat- regular excursions run every Tuesday and Wednesday. Contact E-Den for more information.
4) To E-Den: E-Den is located 4 km north from the ferry dock. Constanze (the wonderful resident care-taker) can meet you at the dock and drive up to 4 people to or from E-Den for $20- call her at (250)-333-8587 to pre-arrange. Barry Churchill also runs the local taxi service and can carry more gear- call him at (250) 954-5288 to reserve. If you wish to bike, walk, or hitch-hike (Lasqueti is ‘thumb’ friendly), stay on the main road up the hill, go past the Post Office and the School, turn left on Conn Road. E-Den is the second driveway on your left past the Canada Post mailboxes and is marked by a prominent “E-DEN” sign. You know you’ve arrived in a different place- there aren’t any street addresses here!
For larger groups, there are other direct options:
Cormorant Taxi can provide a charter water taxi service direct to Lasqueti.
Harbour Air offers charter float plane service direct to Lasqueti- 20 minute flight if cost is no object.
