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Catching the ferry this B.C. Day long weekend? Make reservations.

With the B.C. Day long weekend around the corner, BC Ferries is advising passengers to make reservations or sail at off-peak times to avoid long waits.

With the B.C. Day long weekend around the corner, BC Ferries is advising passengers to make reservations or sail at off-peak times to avoid long waits.

 File photo by Adrian Lam/Times ColonistFile photo by Adrian Lam/Times Colonist

Historically, the most popular travel times are Thursday and Friday afternoons, as well as Saturday morning, with large numbers of travellers departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals.

Monday and Tuesday morning are typically the most popular times for sailing from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on a B.C. Day long weekend.

A one-sailing wait between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay can mean staying in the terminal for an additional 60 minutes.

Parking lots at the major terminals also fill up quickly on long weekends. BC Ferries advises taking public transit or ride sharing if possible, or arranging to be dropped off at the terminal to avoid traffic congestion.