Categories: Travel

The world’s longest free ferry ride sails across this B.C. lake into a different time zone

Photo via Shutterstock

The sun is shining, the days are longer, and we don’t know about you, but that makes us want to plan a couple of local trips. If you’re looking for a beautiful day excursion that gives your wallet a break, the world’s longest free ferry happens to be on Kootenay Lake, operating year-round.

Offering scenic 35-minute trips between Kootenay Bay and Balfour aboard one of two vessels (the M.V. Balfour and the Osprey 2000), the ferry service starts its summer operation in mid-June and runs through Labour Day weekend, after which point reduced winter hours will be in effect.

According to Kootenay Lake Ferry, riding the ferry is your only way to experience the lake by boat, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

Photo via Shutterstock

During the summer months, the ferry operates between 6:30 a.m. and 9:40 p.m., with plenty of scheduled rides in between.

“When traffic is heavy, the ferries ignore the schedule and unload, reload, and depart as quickly as they can to keep your wait as short as possible.”

However, those who end up having a bit of a wait are treated to some truly spectacular sandy beaches, restaurants, and rest stops in both Kootenay Bay and Balfour.

Operators suggest leaving one hour and 15 minutes before the next scheduled departure if you’re heading north from Creston.

Note that both vessels can accommodate RVS and vehicles of all sizes, though food services are only available aboard the Osprey 2000.

Crossing time zones

While you won’t have to change your watch when Daylight Saving Time is in effect, passengers do technically cross from one time zone to another.

“The east shore of Kootenay Lake to Creston doesn’t ever change its time – it’s on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Mountain Standard Time is the same as Pacific Daylight Time,” says Kootenay Lake Ferry.

So there you have it, lake day enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more local travel gems as we uncover them.