Kootenay Lake Ferry

The Kootenay Lake ferry runs across Kootenay Lake, 35 kilometres east of Nelson on Highway 3A, between Balfour (west side) and Kootenay Bay (east side), 70 kilometres from Creston on Highway 3A.

Ferry capacity: 

Capacity of the M.V. Osprey 2000 is 70 vehicles and 144 passengers. The M.V. Balfour can accommodate 19 vehicles and 150 passengers.

Crossing time: 35 minutes

Service hours:

The M.V. Osprey 2000 operates

• From Balfour
  6:30 am – 9:40 pm
• From Kootenay Bay
  7:10 am – 10:20 pm

The M.V. Osprey runs the regular winter schedule except when it is down for regular maintenance.  At that time the M.V. Balfour will service the run with it’s reduced capacity of 19 vehicles

Additional summer service:

The M.V. Balfour operates:

• From Balfour
  10:40 am – 5:20 pm
• From Kootenay Bay
  11:30 am – 6:10 pm

The summer schedule is generally in effect from the third week of June until after the Labour Day weekend.

* Currently operating on winter schedule.

The summer schedule is generally in effect from the third week of June until after the Labour Day weekend.

All times are Pacific Time (PST). Times in bold indicate peak ferry travel. Anticipate delays during this period.​

​