Maine Ferry Guide
How to navigate the confusing mix of state, private, and mail boat ferries to reach the islands.
Maine’s island communities depend on a network of ferries that connect dozens of inhabited islands to the mainland. Unlike many coastal regions with a single unified ferry system, Maine operates through a mix of state-run services, private operators, mail boats, and seasonal tourist vessels. Understanding this patchwork is essential for anyone planning to visit Maine’s islands, whether for a day trip to Peaks Island or a week-long artist’s retreat on Monhegan.
The ferry experience itself is quintessentially Maine. You’ll share deck space with lobstermen hauling traps, families heading to summer cottages, and locals making grocery runs. On longer crossings, the views of the rugged coastline, working harbors, and open ocean make the journey as memorable as the destination.
Every operator below sets its own fares, seasons, and booking rules, and they all change from year to year. Fares on this page were checked against each operator’s own published rates in September 2026. Confirm before you travel.
Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS)
The Maine State Ferry Service, run by MaineDOT, operates the largest network of year-round ferry routes, connecting six island communities to the mainland. These are working ferries, utilitarian vessels designed to carry vehicles, freight, and passengers to communities that depend on them for daily life.
Routes and Terminals
Rockland Terminal serves three island communities:
- Vinalhaven: The largest island community served by MSFS. The crossing is 15 miles and takes 1 hour 15 minutes. The island offers hiking trails, quarry swimming holes, and a village within walking distance of the ferry.
- North Haven: 12.5 miles and 1 hour 10 minutes, to a quieter island with excellent cycling roads.
- Matinicus: Maine’s most remote year-round island, 23 miles offshore, a 1 hour 45 minute crossing. The published 2026 schedule has 40 sailings for the entire year, one a month in January and February and four or five a month from April through October. This is serious island, not for casual tourists. There is no MSFS terminal on Matinicus, so all arrangements go through Rockland.
Lincolnville Terminal serves:
- Islesboro: Just 3 miles and 20 minutes, the shortest MSFS route, which makes it the easiest day trip by bike or car.
Bass Harbor Terminal serves:
- Swan’s Island: 6 miles and 40 minutes, to a quiet fishing community with limited tourism infrastructure but genuine island character.
- Frenchboro: 8.25 miles and 50 minutes, to a tiny year-round community on Long Island. Very limited schedule. Check carefully before planning a visit.
Fares
MSFS sells round-trip tickets only, and fares are seasonal. Peak season runs 1 June to 30 September, off-peak 1 October to 31 May. These are the Tariff 11 rates, effective 1 June 2025.
Passenger fares, round trip, peak / off-peak:
| Route | Adult (18+) | Minor (6-17) | Child (0-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland to Vinalhaven or North Haven; Bass Harbor to Swan’s Island or Frenchboro | $23.00 / $15.75 | $15.00 / $8.00 | Free |
| Lincolnville to Islesboro | $17.00 / $10.25 | $12.00 / $5.00 | Free |
| Rockland to Matinicus | $25.00 (no seasonal split) | $12.50 | Free |
Vehicle fares are separate from passenger fares. Everyone in the car still needs a passenger ticket, and reservations carry their own fee on top:
| Route | Vehicle | Motorcycle | Reservation fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland and Bass Harbor routes | $55.00 / $41.50 | $42.50 / $32.00 | $17.00 |
| Lincolnville to Islesboro | $42.50 / $30.00 | $33.75 / $23.75 | $27.25 |
| Rockland to Matinicus | $125.00 (reservation included) | $68.00 (reservation included) | Included |
Vehicles over 20 feet pay an additional per-foot charge. Trucks are billed per foot, $7.00 peak and $6.00 off-peak on the Rockland and Bass Harbor routes.
Bicycle tickets include the passenger fare, so they are not a small add-on: $29.75 peak and $22.75 off-peak for an adult on the Rockland and Bass Harbor routes, $23.75 and $17.00 to Islesboro, and $31.00 to Matinicus.
There are no senior, military, or AAA discounts. An off-peak ticket can be traded up to a peak ticket for the difference, and unused tickets do not expire.
Reservations and Boarding
Vehicle reservations can be made one month in advance and go off sale two hours before departure. Telephone reservations to Vinalhaven and North Haven open at 9:30 AM one month before the travel date; walk-in requests at Rockland are taken from 6:30 AM for North Haven and 7:00 AM for Vinalhaven. At Bass Harbor only four vehicle and two truck reservations are sold per trip, and MaineDOT warns that in high season they routinely sell out by 8:30 AM. Matinicus reservations may be made up to three months ahead.
Walk-on passengers do not need reservations at all. Vehicles without a reservation join a first-come, first-served line, and selection for boarding begins only 15 minutes before departure, at which point a licensed driver must be in the vehicle with tickets ready. If nobody is in the car, the vehicles behind it load instead. For Matinicus, be in line at least 30 minutes before the posted loading time.
Booking: online through the MaineDOT ferry ticket purchase webstore, or at a terminal. Reservations and truck tickets must be handled by phone or in person at the terminal.
What to Know
- No reserved seating. Inside seating is available on every vessel, but it is first come, first served.
- Weather delays happen. Cancellations are decided per departure, 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Sign up for alerts through New England 511.
- There are no concessions on board. You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Pets are welcome. Every boat has a marked pet-friendly cabin. Keep pets leashed or restrained.
- No inter-island service for vehicles or passengers, and no campgrounds on any of the islands MSFS serves.
Casco Bay Lines
Casco Bay Lines operates ferry service from Portland to the islands of Casco Bay. The district calls itself one of the oldest ferry systems in the country; scheduled service to the islands began around 1870, and the first permanent year-round company followed in 1878. Routes range from a 17-minute commuter run to a working mailboat circuit of up to three and a half hours.
Routes and Travel Times
Casco Bay Lines publishes approximate one-way travel times, which vary with the route the boat takes and how much freight it is carrying:
| Island | One-way travel time |
|---|---|
| Peaks Island | 17 minutes |
| Little Diamond Island | 15 minutes |
| Great Diamond Island and Diamond Cove | 20-25 minutes |
| Long Island | 30-60 minutes |
| Chebeague Island | 60-90 minutes |
| Cliff Island | 60-120 minutes |
Peaks Island has by far the most service. The summer timetable runs 16 departures from Portland, roughly hourly from 5:45 AM to 11:30 PM, and it is the easiest Maine island day trip. Long Island has a general store, restaurants, and beaches. Chebeague Island is close to five miles long and a mile and a half wide, with about 360 year-round residents and more than 1,600 in summer; note that Casco Bay Lines lands at Chandler’s Cove, which is 1.6 miles from the boatyard and post office and over three miles from the inn, so plan for a bike, a walk, or the island taxi. Cliff Island is the most distant destination and the quietest.
The Mailboat Run
Casco Bay Lines’ signature trip is the Mailboat Run, a working boat that carries passengers, mail, and freight to Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Cliff, and Chebeague Islands. It runs daily, year round, and takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the route and the cargo. Portland departures are 10 AM, 12 PM, and 3:15 PM, with the afternoon trip moving to 3 PM from 20 June to 7 September. Narration is provided when there are ten or more cruise passengers.
Note that the Mailboat Run does not call at Peaks Island.
Fares and Logistics
All Casco Bay Lines tickets are round trip, and the fare is the same to every island. Peak season for 2026 runs 18 April to 12 October; off-peak runs 13 October 2026 to 16 April 2027.
| Ticket | Peak | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, any island | $16.00 | $8.00 |
| Child (5-17), senior (65+), or disabled | $8.00 | $4.00 |
| Child under 5 | Free | Free |
| Bicycle, adult | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Bicycle, child | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| Dog | $4.50 | $4.50 |
Mailboat Run tickets are priced separately: $24.00 adult, $20.00 senior or disabled, $14.00 child.
Frequent riders can buy 30-day ($51.00 peak, $33.50 off-peak), 90-day, and annual ($435.00 adult) passes, each of which includes one bike and one animal travelling with the pass holder.
No reservations are taken for regular passenger service, and tickets are not time or date specific. Buy at the terminal at 56 Commercial Street in Portland’s Old Port and arrive about 30 minutes before your boat. Only Music Cruise tickets are sold online.
Parking: there is no long-term customer parking at the terminal, only five-minute loading spaces. The closest public parking is the Municipal Parking Garage next door, which regularly fills in summer. METRO Route 8 runs directly to the ferry terminal.
Vehicles: cars go to Peaks Island on the Machigonne II on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicle service to Great Diamond, Long, Chebeague, and Cliff runs on the Maquoit II, is not regularly scheduled, and requires a reservation. Bicycles need their own ticket; kayaks travel as freight.
Monhegan Boat Line
The Monhegan Boat Line provides the year-round ferry service to Monhegan Island, Maine’s most famous artist colony and one of its most dramatic landscapes. The island sits roughly ten miles offshore, far enough to feel genuinely remote.
Service Details
Departure: Port Clyde, a small fishing village at the end of the St. George peninsula.
Crossing time: 70 minutes one way aboard the Laura B, 55 minutes aboard the Elizabeth Ann. Boarding is 15 minutes before departure.
Schedule: in July and August there are three departures from Port Clyde, a 7:00 AM run Tuesday to Saturday plus daily sailings at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Service tapers through the shoulder seasons to a single daily boat in early May, and from January through March the boat runs only Mondays and Thursdays.
Fares (2026):
- Adult round trip: $52
- Child (2-12) round trip: $35
- Adult one way: $35
- Child one way: $20
- Pet: $10
Advance reservations are required. Tickets are held until half an hour before departure. Two bags of 50 lb or less are included in each fare; extra pieces are $6 each. Parking at the Port Clyde dock is $10 a day.
Why Monhegan Is Special
Monhegan is a working fishing village and a historic artists’ colony. Monhegan Associates, the land trust that owns and manages the Wildlands, publishes approximately nine miles of trails across nearly 400 acres, running through towering evergreens and along the shore. There are also galleries, studios, and a museum. No cars are allowed on the island, and all three ferry services are passenger only.
Day trips are possible but feel rushed. Staying overnight at one of the island’s inns allows time to hike the perimeter trail and soak in the atmosphere.
Alternative: Hardy Boat Cruises
Hardy Boat Cruises runs a seasonal Monhegan ferry from New Harbor, about ten miles northwest of the island. The crossing is one hour outbound and an hour and a quarter on the return.
Hardy sells one-way tickets only, so a round trip means buying two: adult (13+) $35 each way, youth (2-12) $30, child under 2 $15, dog $20. In peak season the boat runs twice daily, which gives day trippers about five hours ashore. It does not run every day in the shoulder season; the booking calendar shows which days it operates.
Hardy’s Audubon-narrated puffin cruise is a separate 90-minute trip to Eastern Egg Rock, about five miles east of New Harbor, offered from mid-May to mid-August. You can do both in one day: take the 5:30 PM puffin watch after returning from Monhegan, or the noon puffin watch before catching the 2:00 PM ferry out.
Alternative: Balmy Days Cruises
Balmy Days Cruises runs the Balmy Days II to Monhegan from Pier 8 in Boothbay Harbor, about twelve miles from the island. The boat leaves at 9:30 AM and is back at 4:15 PM, an hour and a half each way, which leaves roughly three and three-quarter hours on the island. Each leg is booked separately. At 2:00 PM, weather permitting, they run a half-hour circuit around the island to see the back-side cliffs from the water. Balmy Days publishes its fares only inside its online booking system, so no figure is quoted here.
Isle au Haut Boat Services
Isle au Haut Boat Services, known locally as the Mailboat, provides year-round service from Stonington on Deer Isle. Half of Isle au Haut is managed by Acadia National Park; the other half is privately owned, with summer residents and a year-round fishing community.
Service Details
Departure: Stonington, on Deer Isle. Tickets are first come, first served and must be bought in person at the ticket booth at 27 Seabreeze Avenue.
Crossing time: about 45 minutes between Stonington and the Isle au Haut Town Landing.
Schedule: in the 2026 summer season (22 June to 29 August) there are four departures from Stonington on weekdays, at 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:30 PM, and two on Sundays. The winter schedule, 13 October 2026 to 22 May 2027, drops to two or three trips a day with no Sunday service and no Duck Harbor stops. Duck Harbor service runs from late May to mid-October.
Fares (2026):
- Adult round trip: $48 (one way $24), two bags included
- Child round trip: $24 (one way $12)
- 20-trip ticket book: $450
- Round Trip Cruise, staying aboard for the run out and back: $34 adult, $17 child
- Pets ride free; bicycle $15; e-bike or kayak $35; extra bags $3 each
A temporary $1.00 fuel surcharge applies to each adult one-way fare.
Visiting Acadia on Isle au Haut
The Acadia section of Isle au Haut offers some of the most remote and uncrowded hiking in the park, with 18 miles of trails through rocky shoreline, wooded uplands, bogs, and a mile-long freshwater lake. Trails are rough. Bring proper footwear, warm layers, and rain gear, and note that visitor numbers in this section of the park are capped.
Camping: Acadia has five lean-to shelters at Duck Harbor Campground, reservable only through Recreation.gov. All reservations for the whole season are released at 10 AM on 1 April, and they go fast. There is no potable water at Duck Harbor, so bring or treat your own.
Other Notable Services
The CAT (Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia)
The CAT, operated by Bay Ferries, is a high-speed car ferry between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The operator advertises a 3.5-hour crossing, which cuts a long drive off the trip to the Maritimes.
Season: 14 May to 14 October in 2026, with a small number of no-sailing days each month.
Fares (2026, US dollars). Passenger fares cover foot passengers and anyone travelling with a vehicle. Summer runs 18 June to 21 September; spring and fall covers 14 May to 15 June and 24 September to 14 October.
| Summer | Spring/Fall | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (14-59), one way / round trip | $121 / $221 | $90 / $166 |
| Senior (60+) | $116 / $210 | $87 / $158 |
| Youth (7-13) | $74 / $131 | $56 / $99 |
| Child (0-6) | Free | Free |
| Port and security fee, per person | $15 / $30 | $15 / $30 |
Vehicle fares are charged one way and added on top of passenger fares. A car up to 20 feet and under 7 feet high is $209 one way in summer and $156 in spring or fall; over 7 feet high it is $288 and $216. Motorcycles are $116 and $87, bicycles $21 and $16.
Budget accordingly: a car and two adults crossing round trip in summer comes to $418 for the vehicle, $442 for the passengers, and $60 in port fees, close to $920 before any discount. Bay Ferries runs seasonal promotions, including a Nova Scotia resident discount and periodic half-price passenger offers, so check the offers page before booking.
Booking: essential, especially for vehicles.
Beal and Bunker (Northeast Harbor to the Cranberry Isles)
Beal and Bunker operates the year-round mail boat from Northeast Harbor to Great Cranberry, Islesford (Little Cranberry), and Sutton Island. These small islands near Mount Desert Island offer quiet day trips away from Acadia’s crowds.
Crossing time: about 25 minutes from Northeast Harbor to Great Cranberry, and roughly 30 to 45 minutes to Islesford depending on whether the run stops at Cranberry first.
Schedule: the summer timetable, which runs from the third Monday in June to the Sunday before Labor Day, has six departures a day from Northeast Harbor, starting at 7:30 AM and ending at 6:00 PM. Spring, fall, and winter schedules are lighter, with three sailings or fewer.
Fares:
- Adult (12+): $34.00 round trip, $17.00 one way
- Child (3-11): $17.00 round trip, $8.50 one way
- Under 3: free
- Commuter pass, ten adult one-way trips: $130.00, or $90.00 on the winter schedule
Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines
Downeast Windjammer runs two passenger ferries worth knowing about, and they leave from different places.
Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor crosses Frenchman Bay to the Schoodic Peninsula, the quieter side of Acadia, in about 45 minutes. It departs the Bar Harbor Inn pier at 1 Newport Drive. One-way tickets only: adult $22, child (0-11) $18, bikes $6 per seat. There are five departures each way in peak season; the 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM trips stop running after Labor Day. The free Island Explorer shuttle meets the boat on the Schoodic side.
Cranberry Cove Ferry runs from Southwest Harbor and Manset, not from Bar Harbor, to Great Cranberry and Islesford, with unscheduled stops at Sutton Island. It operates seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend to 1 October. There are four round trips a day: the first leaves Manset at 7:30 AM, and the other three leave Southwest Harbor at 10:15 AM, 1:15 PM, and 4:15 PM, calling at Manset 15 minutes later and reaching Great Cranberry about 35 minutes after leaving Southwest Harbor. Round trip is $42 adult and $32 child (under 11); one way is $32 and $28; bikes are $12. No reservation is needed, and you can visit both islands on one fare.
The same company also runs an Eastport to Lubec ferry along the Bold Coast.
Tips for Ferry Travel in Maine
Booking Strategy
- Book MSFS vehicle reservations the day they open, one month ahead, and call at 9:30 AM sharp. Bass Harbor sells only four car spaces per trip.
- Midweek travel is easier to book than weekends.
- Early morning departures often have more availability than afternoon sailings.
- Have a backup plan. Weather can cancel ferries with little notice, and MSFS makes the call 30 minutes before departure.
What to Bring
- Layers: It’s always cooler on the water, even in summer. Wind on deck can be cold.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: Glare off the water is intense.
- Motion sickness remedies if you’re prone. Open ocean crossings can be rough.
- Cash: Some island businesses don’t take cards.
- Food and water: MSFS boats have no concessions, and island dining options may be limited or closed.
On the Water
- Go outside. The deck experience is far better than sitting inside.
- Watch for wildlife. Seals, porpoises, and seabirds are common. Whales occasionally.
- Talk to locals. Ferry regulars have the best recommendations for their islands.
- Respect the working nature of these boats. Stay clear of freight operations.
Seasonal Considerations
Summer: peak season means maximum sailings but also maximum crowds, and peak fares on every operator. Book everything early.
Shoulder seasons: fewer tourists, easier bookings, and noticeably cheaper. A Casco Bay Lines round trip drops from $16 to $8 on 13 October, and MSFS off-peak fares kick in on 1 October. Schedules thin out at the same time, so check carefully.
Winter: only essential routes operate. Weather cancellations are common. This is when you see island life at its most authentic, and challenging.
Island-by-Island Quick Reference
| Island | Ferry Service | From | Time (one way) | Adult round trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peaks Island | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 17 min | $16 peak / $8 off-peak |
| Little Diamond | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 15 min | $16 / $8 |
| Great Diamond | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 20-25 min | $16 / $8 |
| Long Island | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 30-60 min | $16 / $8 |
| Chebeague | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 60-90 min | $16 / $8 |
| Cliff Island | Casco Bay Lines | Portland | 60-120 min | $16 / $8 |
| Vinalhaven | MSFS | Rockland | 1 hr 15 min | $23 / $15.75 |
| North Haven | MSFS | Rockland | 1 hr 10 min | $23 / $15.75 |
| Islesboro | MSFS | Lincolnville | 20 min | $17 / $10.25 |
| Swan’s Island | MSFS | Bass Harbor | 40 min | $23 / $15.75 |
| Frenchboro | MSFS | Bass Harbor | 50 min | $23 / $15.75 |
| Matinicus | MSFS | Rockland | 1 hr 45 min | $25 |
| Monhegan | Monhegan Boat Line | Port Clyde | 55-70 min | $52 |
| Monhegan | Hardy Boat Cruises | New Harbor | 60-75 min | $70 (two one-ways) |
| Isle au Haut | Isle au Haut Boat Services | Stonington | 45 min | $48 |
| Cranberry Isles | Beal and Bunker | Northeast Harbor | 25-45 min | $34 |
| Cranberry Isles | Cranberry Cove Ferry | Southwest Harbor | 35-55 min | $42 |
| Winter Harbor | Downeast Windjammer | Bar Harbor | 45 min | $44 (two one-ways) |
Maine’s ferries aren’t just transportation. They’re a window into the rhythm of island life that has defined this coast for generations. Whether you’re making a quick trip to Peaks Island or planning a wilderness adventure to Isle au Haut, the ferry ride itself becomes part of the Maine experience.
Related Guides
Plan your island adventures with these companion guides:
- Maine Islands Guide - Comprehensive guide to Maine’s islands
- Monhegan Island Guide - Artist colony via Monhegan Boat Line
- Vinalhaven Guide - Largest island via State Ferry
- Whale Watching Guide - Marine tours from ferry ports
- Day Trips from Portland - Peaks Island and Casco Bay
- Boothbay Harbor Overview - Ferry departures to Monhegan
- Best Time to Visit Maine - Peak ferry season planning