8 ways to kill time while stuck waiting at a BC Ferries terminal

It’s a drag to be travelling between our coastal areas some days more than others. For those planning travel with BC Ferries, that might mean waiting for a while thanks to busy service, a broken boat, or whatever the reason — so we thought of some ways you could kill time.

If you’ll be stuck waiting at a BC Ferries terminal, here are some ideas to keep you entertained.

Pack your Nintendo Switch

Kick off your summer in style with this new line of pastel Joy-Con controllers, available 6/30. Which color is your fave? #Nintendo pic.twitter.com/PFGHvstoN7

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) June 2, 2023

This feels like a no-brainer, but if you have a Nintendo Switch and are braving BC Ferries this weekend, bring the new Zelda game along for the ride.

Look out the window and try to spot marine wildlife

Chantel, the seal pup

The seal pup pictured above was rescued near the Tsawwassen ferry terminal in 2020.

While you won’t see Chantel by the ferry terminal, there’s a good chance you could spot other seals or marine wildlife.

It’s better than fuming at your existence of dealing with long delays and wondering how long it’ll take you to get to one of Victoria’s best restaurants since you didn’t have breakfast or lunch and don’t want vending machine food. Take a deep breath.

Read Daily Hive articles on your iPad

Daily Hive

This is a shameless plug, to be sure, but you might find information that is relevant to your long delays. There’s also all sorts of other useless crap, but it’s fun to read.

The pictured article above might also be a way to cope with the delays once you’re back in Vancouver.

Now we’re mulling over the 10 best places to cry in a BC Ferries terminal.

Read a fricking book

donatas1205/Shutterstock

The digital age has taken over and the constant doomscrolling and other related factors can seriously impact your mental health.

So instead of anxiously texting and getting angry about the situation at BC Ferries, grab one of the best books ever written and get lost for a while.

You might also like:
• Victoria bound? There's a nine sailing wait for this BC Ferries route today
• Pain in the boat: BC Ferries cancels loads of long weekend sailings
• SkyTrain station renovation to reduce Lougheed Highway to one lane in each direction for months

Spend some loving time with your partner

engagestock/Shutterstock

If you’re travelling with a partner and both are stuck waiting for hours for the next sailing, immerse yourself in each other because, as The Beatles said, all you need is love.

Or you can do what many couples do and bicker, but that probably wouldn’t be as fun.

Spend some time loving ChatGPT

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is potentially full of fun.

If you’re travelling alone, it can keep you company, tell you jokes, or even tell you a story.

Here’s a ChatGPT joke:

ChatGPT

Figure out what you’ll do once you FINALLY get to the other side

Anatoliy Cherkas/Shutterstock

One thing that could be fun to do while you’re waiting stuck at a ferry terminal is to plot out what you’re going to do once you get to your destination.

Whether it’s restaurants you visit, sights you’ll see, or whatever, it’s a better way to kill time than panicking about your delay.

Meditate

Lelechka/Shutterstock

This might seem like a hokey suggestion, but with a busy commute and panicked and anxious people all around you, one of the best things you can do for your mental health is just sit and breathe.

Before you know it, the gates will open, and you’ll be stuck waiting in line to order food instead.

Leave your suggestions in the comments.