Ferry travel in Massachusetts is an easy and fun adventure

Ferry travel from mainland Massachusetts to locations on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and elsewhere is a handy and inexpensive way to visit these vacation treasures. Ferries stay busy especially during the summer but many also operate in the winter. Some allow cars and trucks. Departing and arriving on a ferry is a fun excursion all by itself.

Informational Listings Courtesy of VisitNewEngland.com
Cape Cod Greater Boston and Cambridge Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
South of Boston/Plymouth
Cape Cod top of listings

Boston-Provincetown Ferry

Bay State Cruise Company, 200 Seaport Blvd. Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617-748-1428

Daily, seasonal passenger ferry service from Boston to Provincetown. Crossing take about one and one-half hours. Season is May to October. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Harwich Port-Nantucket Ferry

Freedom Cruise Line, 702 Main Street Harwich Port, MA 02646 Phone: 508-432-8999

Daily, seasonal passenger service from Harwich Port to Nantucket. Crossing time is one hour and 15 minutes. Season is late May to early October. Ferry accommodates passengers, bicycles, most pets. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Hyannis-Nantucket Ferry

Hy-Line Cruises, Ocean Street Dock Hyannis, MA 02601 Phone: 800-492-8082

Company operates one year-round ferry and three seasonal ferries. Ferries do not transport motor vehicles. Ferries include:
High-Speed Ferry Service to Nantucket (year-round);
High-Speed Ferry Service to Martha's Vineyard (May 1 to October 31);
Traditional Ferry Service to Nantucket (May 21-October 16);
Traditional Ferry Service to Martha's Vineyard (May 27-October 16);
High-Speed Ferry Service between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket (June 11 to September 10).

Island Queen

Falmouth Heights Road Falmouth, MA 02540 Phone: 508-548-4800

Seasonal passenger ferry service from Falmouth Harbor to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard. Season is Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.
Greater Boston and Cambridge top of listings

Boston-Provincetown Ferry

Bay State Cruise Company, 200 Seaport Blvd. Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617-748-1428

Daily, seasonal passenger ferry service from Boston to Provincetown. Crossing take about one and one-half hours. Season is May to October. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Salem to Boston Ferry

Blaney Street in Salem to Long Wharf North in Boston Salem to Boston, Phone: 617-770-0040

Service between Salem Wharf at Blaney Street and Long Wharf North in Boston The trip, which takes 55 minutes aboard the high-speed catamaran,Nathaniel Bowditch, is relaxing, fun and informative. Cruise directors provide narration about Salem, Marblehead, and Boston harbors. Snacks and beverages for sale. Rest rooms on board. Daily service operates June 11 to October 31, 2011. Schedule and fares at www.salemferry.com.
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket top of listings

Harwich Port-Nantucket Ferry

Freedom Cruise Line, 702 Main Street Harwich Port, MA 02646 Phone: 508-432-8999

Daily, seasonal passenger service from Harwich Port to Nantucket. Crossing time is one hour and 15 minutes. Season is late May to early October. Ferry accommodates passengers, bicycles, most pets. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Hyannis-Nantucket Ferry

Hy-Line Cruises, Ocean Street Dock Hyannis, MA 02601 Phone: 800-492-8082

Company operates one year-round ferry and three seasonal ferries. Ferries do not transport motor vehicles. Ferries include:
High-Speed Ferry Service to Nantucket (year-round);
High-Speed Ferry Service to Martha's Vineyard (May 1 to October 31);
Traditional Ferry Service to Nantucket (May 21-October 16);
Traditional Ferry Service to Martha's Vineyard (May 27-October 16);
High-Speed Ferry Service between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket (June 11 to September 10).

Island Queen

Falmouth Heights Road Falmouth, MA 02540 Phone: 508-548-4800

Seasonal passenger ferry service from Falmouth Harbor to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard. Season is Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Martha’s Vineyard Ferry

Vineyard Fast Ferry, Quonset Point,1347 Roger Williams Way North Kingstown, RI 02852 Phone: 401-295-4040

Seasonal passenger ferry from Quonset Point to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. Crossing takes about 90 minutes. Company also offers shuttle services to/from the Providence Airport and the Amtrak Station. Dockside parking and online reservations. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles.

Martha’s Vineyard from New Bedford, New Jersey and New York City

SeaStreak Martha’s Vineyard NB 49 State Pier New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 866-683-3779

Seasonal passenger ferry from New Bedford to Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven on Martha’s Vineyard. Crossing takes about 90 minutes. Company also offers shuttle services to/from the Providence Airport and the Amtrak Station. Dockside parking and online reservations. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles. Seasonal May – October. Information: 866-683-3779 or visit www.seastreak.com

Summer passenger ferry from New Jersey and New York City to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. Call or online reservations. Ferry does not transport motor vehicles. May – October. Information: 800-262-8743 or visit www.seastreak.com

Martha’s Vineyard-Montauk Ferry

Viking Fleet, 462 Westlake Drive Montauk, NY 11954 Phone: 631-668-5700

Ferry accommodates passengers and bicycles only; no motor vehicles. Martha’s Vineyard dropoff and pickup location is Oak Bluffs. Crossing time is four hours.
South of Boston/Plymouth top of listings

Cuttyhunk Ferry Company, Inc.

66B State Pier, South Bulkhead New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-992-0200

The M/V Cuttyhunk carries up to 149 passengers between New Bedford and Cuttyhunk Island in one hour. Schedule changes seasonally. Fare: Adult, one way, $20; round trip, $30; child, one way, $15; round trip, $20. Information: http://www.cuttyhunkferryco.com/Pages/AboutFerry.htm

Salem to Boston Ferry

Blaney Street in Salem to Long Wharf North in Boston Salem to Boston, Phone: 617-770-0040

Service between Salem Wharf at Blaney Street and Long Wharf North in Boston The trip, which takes 55 minutes aboard the high-speed catamaran,Nathaniel Bowditch, is relaxing, fun and informative. Cruise directors provide narration about Salem, Marblehead, and Boston harbors. Snacks and beverages for sale. Rest rooms on board. Daily service operates June 11 to October 31, 2011. Schedule and fares at www.salemferry.com.