Make sure you make reservations on long weekends and in summer! You can purchase your tickets here at the visitor centre! The ferry terminal is about 35 minutes from the border.
You can buy your tickets in the self service machines or at the counter. Seats inside, very little space to wait, a coffee shop, vending machines, washrooms, etc. Works pretty much as an airport.
Announcements in the shop area are way to quiet. Need to increase the volume, as tons of people miss the announcements and end up running for the ferrylines when loading has already begun.
People complaining about the ferries are babies. Yes it's expensive but its your choice to commute or live on the island. It's over all a pretty reliable means of transportation off or on to the rock.
I have been riding the BC Ferries since 1971. lost track of how many trips. the trip may be the same scenery, but I still find a quiet Zen peacefulness in the ride.
If you're late, just drive up the ramp to the ferry without being directed to. It's really funny and everyone will see the humour. The ferry workers will give you high-fives as you pass them!
Remember to pay for parking. If you forget to pay then you can phone the terminal attendent and they will place an IOU envelope on your dash and you pay when you go back to your car.
Be sure to check out the Gift Shop onboard - GREAT books with local flavour, selection of Canadian authors. Nice clothing and gift items too, but bit pricey.
I like to hang out in the seawest lounge when the ferry is busy. It's quiet, no crowd, and all the coffee, tea and snacks you want. It's $10 but worth it.
Being the first car in this lane can mean one of two things. You are cursing you just missed the ferry and you are about to embark on a two hour coffee break at starbucks